(in general)

Intermediate Algebra, Python, Microcomputer application (Microsoft applications) visual arts, and intermediate english

Are you finding yourself neglecting one or more subjects until the deadline becomes uncomfortably close?

Yupp, mainly with math/microsoft applications

(first year student btw)

Are you familiar with the term "context switching?"

Not entirely

OK, so here's what I think is happening. It's the same problem I had throughout my college years.

You're studying on your PC, seems like that's by necessity

but there are so many distractions available

Discord, Twitter, who knows what else

So as soon as the material becomes boring or difficult to comprehend, your brain seeks the easier novelty available through these other mediums

And then you jump to another subject in which you think it will be easier to accomplish something at the time.

Is what I'm saying correct?

Sounds right actually

OK, so the first item of business is to limit distractions. Here's my advice for that.

If all your study material is online, that's a big challenge. It's much easier to focus on printed material.

If you can obtain printed material, I highly recommend it. But it's not a necessity.

What you have to do is, before you sit down to study, make a list of what you want to accomplish in each course.

So in today's Python session you're going to understand the concept of generators and write some example code or complete the exercises.

And that's **all** you're going to allow yourself to do once you start

Everything else gets turned off. Use a stripped-down browser, remove all other devices from the area.

If you cheat, you're only cheating yourself.

Once you check it off, take a break. Fifteen minutes is usually ideal. Get up, walk around, rest your eyes, check your various social media, then knock out the next item.

When you context switch frequently, you don't allow yourself to build up a foundation for learning, understanding, and retaining material. It all gets flushed out as soon as you switch to some other distraction or task.

If you have an old laptop laying around, it might be worth it to do a fresh install of your preferred OS on it, and ONLY install the bare minimum you need to use it for your coursework

and take it somewhere quiet, like the library or bookstore

that way you're in a place that's not as comfortable to you. That actually improves focus in my experience.

I never studied in my dorm room. I always went to the library. But all my material was printed back then (2000-2004).

It may be a good idea for me to print out what I can for studying purposes as well, and the 15 minute break seems good, actually

yeah, it's very important to take breaks.

going for a walk was the secret sauce for me

It's going to be very difficult at first not to get distracted, but that's where the checklist will help you.

The checklist says "This is the only thing I'm allowed to do right now."

I recently studied for a math test for 12 HOURS... still did not do well on the test itself. We live in a pretty cozy neighborhood, so I could go walking.

I really like this checklist idea actually!

Right, but did you really study?

If you're checking your phone every 10 minutes, you're just treading water.

(I have two STEM master's degrees, I've been in exactly the same situation 😃 )

quick anecdote: when I was in calculus, I "studied hard"

Taking notes on all of this good information, also that is impressive my dude!