Focus and Concentration- an Update

Here's an update on my past focus topic. Since that last post, procrastination has still obviously been a problem, but not quite as much. I have been trying to develop this habit of stopping and checking "am i doing what I should really be doing right now?" every few minutes. This is very effective, because most of the time, I'm not doing what I should. This helps me snap back into what I really should be doing.

 Something else that has helped is that my laptop charger cord has gotten loose and only works when it wants to. When it runs out of battery, I have to sit with it for about an hour holding the cord in place, thus making it virtually impossible to type quickly. This really stinks when it comes to schoolwork, but as for everyday use, it has actually helped me stop procrastinating a little.  Since I haven't gotten to take it in to get it fixed, I have been having to share my parent's computer. This means finding a time slot when my parents and younger brothers and sisters aren't using it. It's either that or working in the ASC when I get the chance. This has forced me into the mentality that when I get on the computer, I absolutely HAVE to get to work. 

This has also partially lessened the distraction, since if I want to get on Facebook or Pinterest, I have to wait until my mom is done checking emails, etc. and the kids are done with their schoolwork or games. Since my computer has been down and I have been more focused, I have found more practice time that I had been struggling to make. Overall, this has snowballed into better focus. I still want my computer back, though. :)

Balance: Maintaining the Equilibrium Between Work and Play

This past week I have been learning a big lesson that almost every college student can probably relate to. No, I am not talking about procrastination. I am talking about finding how to maintain the balance as I transition into college. Balancing my work, fun time, family, maintaining my health, etc. This is something I have really been struggling with this past week. To help you see my situation a little better, let me tell you about my schedule.  

On an average school day, I get up early, get my things together, grab a quick breakfast and head to school. Once there, I hurry from my first class to the next squeezing in a quick lunch in between.Somewhere during the day I fit in thirty minutes of practice time, if i'm lucky. I prefer to practice my guitar on campus because there is less chance of me leaving it for the last and not getting my practice time in. My priorities at home are a little different than at school. After practicing I  head over to my next class early and have another snack while I study, because I rushed during my early lunch. The room is empty and the only noise around is the students next door practicing their Spanish. I'm able to get quite a bit done in those few minutes. Other than this, I often leave studying until I get home. This is because I'm more comfortable working in my room on my own computer and can get stuff done faster, but there are also more distractions. After class, I head home, where I unwind for a few minutes by practicing piano or my latest choir piece. Once dinner is ready, my sister and I help my mom get the table set, my three younger siblings situated, and finally sit down for a good home-cooked meal. After dinner, I help clean up then go to my room and study until I can't tell the difference between my siblings' names and keys in the circle of fifths. I go to bed saying scales in my sleep. Hope for eight hours of well needed rest,  rinse, and repeat. Throughout the week, work keeps getting piled up. By the time the weekend rolls around, I have no choice but to devote it entirely to writing essays, filling my books with notes, and praying i didn't forget any assignments. Add on trying to keep my room from looking like it was just hit by a hurricane, wanting to spend time with my family, attending fun events to keep me sane- mix it all together and you get sleep deprivation. I won't even mention trying to stay physically fit. It's hard finding the time to fit it all in, but then again, isn't that what college life is all about?

Sometimes I feel like there aren't enough hours in a day to get it all done, but know that if I really tried I could make the time. If I would just cut out all of my time wasting, or "diddle daddling" as my mom calls it,  and got to work, I know  I could get my work done. The downside is that I might not get to sit down and watch that movie with my little brother, or enjoy dinner with my family. I could get my 2 hours of practice in and not look over my notes. I could write that essay, and let my room look like a war-zone for just one more day.  I just have to find that balance.






Questions, nice comments, and ideas are great. The whole idea of this blog is to help me better my writing. Any positive feedback is welcome.