NoFap and Studying

I can relate to this ten-fold, being a university student myself.

I can't really give you any advice that would help you concentrate, focus and become motivated. The withdrawal symptoms of PMO are rough, they really are. And like any addiction, only time will bring true results. Needless to say, indulging in PMO would only make things worse.

Get some exercise too. I find that instead of aimlessly surfing the web when I'm taking a study break, lifting weights or going for a quick run helps get your mind refreshed and ready to go.

No matter how shitty you feel studying, persevere and grind through it. It's worth it.

 

I've been there 20cents, and I know how rough it gets. Let me suggest some little hacks that you can use. Here goes:

Hack 1. One concept for ten minutes. Don't think of your entire syllabus as you sit down to study. Only think of what you want to do in the next ten minutes. As you sit down to start those ten minutes, commit to learning just one concept at that time. Make sure you make a statement of which concept it is. State this out loud if you have to, and also write it out. As long as you are acting, the feelings of depression and lack of motivation will be temporarily forgotten. Make sure you learn that one concept at whatever pace you can. If you can't concentrate just then, idly contemplate that concept, and imagine what it could mean. Even if you focus on that single concept for only ten minutes, make sure you do it.

Hack 2. Meditate for five, imagine for five. This is more of a life hack, not just a study hack. When you enter your study space, you describe feeling unmotivated, depressed and unable to concentrate. What I want you to do is this.
1. Focus on your breathing. Breathe in and out from your abdomen as deeply as you can, and keep it going for a minute. Then go back to your regular breathing, but make sure you focus on your breathing only. If any thought comes into your mind, return your attention to your breathing. If you find your mind wandering, the moment you realize you're not focusing on your breathing, focus on your breathing. Don't mentally beat yourself up for not focusing. Do this focus on breathing exercise for five minutes.
2. Focus on what you enjoy about a single study topic. Take one topic that you have to study and enjoy studying, and instead of focusing on your breathing, focus on what you enjoy about this one topic. Remember, only mentally go over those things you enjoy about this topic. Do this for five minutes.
3. Work with the momentum you get from the above exercise. As you do the above, you will find that your mind feels charged, and you start to get into study mode. At this point, the ball's entirely in your court. You should start feeling a lot more focused and motivated right about here. Keep working as long as you like based on where your focus takes you.

Hack 3. Use youtube, after becoming mindful and deciding what you want to learn. No matter what your study topic, there's lectures on it on youtube. The internet is a very useful tool, but it is only as useful as your focus. Use this hack when you can't focus on active study. The key is to first spend a few minutes being mindful of your breathing. Then spend a few minutes deciding which specific concept you want to learn. Search on youtube only after you've done this. Try to find only short videos, with a commitment to stay focused for the duration of the video.

 

Really hard man. I can really idenitfy with this although I have no good answer. Study and Fap addiction often go hand in hand for this reason. The real way is to be on top of things from teh start so you never have to cram and can keep balance even during SwotVac. Most people end up having to cram so its very difficult. Probaly puncuate your study with short breaks of meditation every 30 minutes and get out of the house and go for a walk even if you have a lot of study remaining. Its fear that cripples most. Fear of failure. When it hits it keeps you locked in your seat wanting to study even though your brain is experiencing withdrawal. This means that you need to meditate and watch that fear, which is temporary, pass away. What you are left with is the present reality - failure is obviusly a chance, but so is passing and doing well. But honestly this is a tough one. In remaining years be balanced from the start.