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Summary of Question:	As Exams
Category:	Other
Date Posted:	Saturday, 3/22/2003 4:14 PM MDT

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

I am only 17 years old and for some reason i can't seem to concerntrate. I have recently done my AS levels and didn't manage to get the grades that i wanted, however i am trying to work hard for the exams which i will be re-sitting in June. I have about 8 exams in June and i don't know how im going to concerntate on all of them, it is my fault as i could of done much better in my January Exams but now i have realised that im going to have to put my head down and start revising. However i can't seem to concerntrate on anything that i do these days, like one minute im revising and the next i find something else to do. Do you know anything or anyone who could give me some help on.. how to concerntrate and and how to stop getting distracted?

(REPLY) Sat Nam. You are not alone! We have received very similar questions from other students, and I suggest you do a search in this forum to find the responses for this problem of "concentratio." The most effective way to stay focused, and concentrate on anything, is obviously to be in control of your mind. Guru Nanak taught "Manjeet, Jagjeet" Conquer the mind, you conquer the world! So, how to do it? It is a fact that the mind follows the breath. Therefore, by controlling your breathing, you will begin to control your mind. Link your mind to God's Name, and find that it will calm you down, and allow you to concentrate. A simple procedure is to sit quietly (best to start each day - before dawn - doing this for a few minutes, and again at night before bedtime) Close your eyes, keep them closed, but focus them in the center of your forehead, between your eyebrows and about 1/8 inch higher, and start breathing very, very slowly through your nose (not through your mouth) and every time you inhale think "SAT" and every time you exhale think "NAM" and hear the sound strongly in your mind. Keep bringing your attention back to the sound and your breath even if it wanders. This takes practice, but it shall be effective. Try to spend 11 minutes each time. But even 7 minutes will help. And as you sit to take the exam, take a few long deep breaths before you start. Another thing to consider is to make sure you are not drinking coffee or taking cola drinks with caffeine. Ideally, having a daily practice of reading your banis, and then chanting (out loud) God's Name would help to clear your subconscious and enable you even more to concentrate. May God bless you and Guru help you in all ways, always. SP

thank you
SSA