Some days at school, I find myself wondering if I even remembered to bring my mind with me.

I will be distracted, forgetting simple concepts when called on in class, staring at an empty Word processing screen with a paper due in a few hours or tapping my pencil on my test paper, furiously trying to recall the material I had desperately memorized in the days before.

It is extremely frustrating to be in pursuit of higher education and feeling like I have to fight tooth-and-nail the whole time.

In the process of intellectual development, I do not want to be constantly dragging my brain kicking and screaming to the class room or the study area.

Not that I hate learning.  I love higher education. I just find it difficult to focus at times.

This dilemma has driven me to study and experiment with solutions to this brain drain.

Some of these solutions are less than satisfactory.

Caffeine and sugar are what Charles Dickens might call the best of times and the worst of times. It’s nice to have some instant energy at my fingertips, but the crash and burn is hard to watch.

Then there are the utopian solutions. Everyone wants to sleep more and have a fresher mind.

However, at this commuter campus, who really gets eough sleep and still has time to do all of their homework?

Everyone wants a hobby to keep them inspired and refreshed, but, for many of us, that extra time and money is not an option.

So, what is a poor, tired and busy college student to do?

The answer is finding solutions that do not take extra time but preferably save time.

Stop Whining

I have been paying more attention to my attitude and have found a lot more negativity creeping into my daily vocabulary.

I have to admit, I have also noticed a decline in energy levels around the same time. On days I refuse to whine or feel sorry for myself, my energy and productivity dramatically increases.

Depression is not always a choice, I understand that, but self-pity sure is. Whining or complaining hurts me and changes nothing.

It also shifts my mind’s focus from creative problem solving and to an obsessive level of sadness and insecurity.

I find when I stop complaining about an issue and, instead, get involved in its solution, my mind is exercised in a much healthier way.

Stop Multitasking

I have found multi-tasking does not save me any time at all.

Making a call and typing an e-mail at the same time makes it harder for me to comprehend what is going on, and I make mistakes.

Browsing Facebook or Reddit while I should be studying does not give my mind a break like some people claim. It really just gives it something to latch onto other than the homework I should be making a priority.

Even eating does not work for me. I end up thinking about the food and smearing bits of lunch all over my expensive textbook.

Focusing on one task at a time improves my mind’s ability to function effectively and efficiently because I am not spreading myself thin. It also allows me to find ways to enjoy the moment.

I have more capacity to enjoy something if I am not preoccupied.

Make Goals

I have found setting goals and making sure I attain them boosts my confidence and passion, which in turn helps give my mind and spirit the motivation they need to focus on my studies.

Of course, the ultimate goal is to complete my degree at IU Southeast, but I constantly have to remind myself that completing my degree does not just mean having a piece of paper.

It also means that I have the knowledge to succeed in my future goals.

In order to achieve my goals, I must make learning and retaining the subject matter in my classes my ultimate priority. It is more important than a part-time job, a hobby or a party. Eventually, making these sacrifices of time and money will be worth it.

Even now, it is worth it. The campus community is a rich experience and making the most of every moment of it is truly invaluable.

Ultimately, this is why I am passionate about making sure my mind is sharp during my time on campus. I want to draw as much as I can from these years in college.

They are never coming back.

By MICHELE HOP

Profiles Editor

mhop@ius.edu