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Can't focus at all
I got into college about a year ago I can't focus and my mind is always on a run I decide firmly I will do this but I won't be able to complete any task and procrastinate till the end.
I am mostly on my phone but even though I use it most of the time I feel like I don't want to use it or I just use it but my focus isn't there.
I had a phone before too during school even and I used it about all the time.During studies I was able to focus for hours too but I have always been called forgetful or careless. I have to repeat the dates in my head lots of time to not forget them. I still forget them on the day itself.
Now this all is creating a problem in my studies. In the things I put lots of effort during my school years like presentation and assignments I just end up doing them last moment in a rush almost like I don't care. All the time I procrastinate I think that I don't want to procrastinate but I end up doing it anyway. how to get back on track? I feel like I am gaslighting myself...
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Consultation with me is suggested
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Concentration in studies is important and also in other social activities.
For an healthy life do some exercises and meditation.
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proper guidance is needed
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you can contact me through online consultation
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Hi
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freedom
rest
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psychotherapy session
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How interested you are in your studies, in case you are finding concentrating on anything other than phone is, you might not have easy tasks. Solve the easy ones, once your intetest is above mobile viewing, you will surely come back to studies even after starting your mobile.
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Do the easy things first, generate intetest and keep working on the goal. set easy goals, achieve them and move forward.
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It seems to be performance anxiety leading to various psychological issues.
It needs to be treated asap otherwise it may get complicated and can affect your personal, professional and social life.
It can be well treated with counseling sessions and homeopathic medicine effectively and without any side effects.
It needs to be addressed in a holistic approach for complete recovery.
You need an expert Psychologist who is a good homeopathic physician.
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I have been working as a Homeopathic Psychiatrist and Counseling psychologist for the last 17 years of experience. You can contact me through an online appointment for further assistance.
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You are struggling with severe procrastination, forgetfulness, and smartphone distraction since college started. This often points to an underlying attention deficit or executive dysfunction issue, rather than intentional laziness or self-sabotage.
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Consultant: Dr. Rupali Mohbe
Clinic: BIRDY ME (A Centre for Mental Well-Being).Location: Shop 208, CENTRAL, Sangath IPL, Motera, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Appointments: Available for online video calls or offline clinic visits depending on your comfort.
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Break big study tasks into tiny, 15-minute pieces and keep your phone in another room.
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Hi, Consult a psychologist for professional help
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I can understand how frustrating this must feel. Wanting to study but repeatedly procrastinating, struggling to sustain attention, forgetting things, and feeling mentally restless can be very distressing. Since you mentioned that you've always been somewhat forgetful and careless, but these difficulties have become much more noticeable after joining college, it's important to explore whether academic stress, anxiety, depression, sleep issues, or attention-related concerns such as ADHD may be contributing. A proper assessment is needed before reaching any diagnosis.
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I recommend consulting a psychologist for a detailed assessment. Therapy can help identify the underlying cause of your procrastination, improve time management, attention, and study habits. If ADHD or another condition is suspected, a psychologist or psychiatrist can guide you through a comprehensive evaluation and appropriate treatment.
Health Tips
Break tasks into small, manageable steps and use a timer (e.g., 25-minute study sessions followed by short breaks).
Keep your phone away while studying or use app blockers during study hours.
Maintain a consistent sleep schedule and daily routine.
Avoid blaming yourself—procrastination is often a symptom of an underlying difficulty rather than a lack of motivation.
With the right assessment and support, these difficulties can improve significantly. The sooner you seek help, the easier it becomes to develop effective study strategies and regain confidence in your academic performance.
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Hi, thank you for sharing your concern. It must be emotionally challenging for you to stay focused when you genuinely want to complete your work but still find yourself procrastinating and struggling with concentration. From what you have shared, these difficulties seem to be affecting both your studies and your confidence. Sometimes such concerns can be related to stress, anxiety, changes in routine, or attention-related difficulties, so it is important to understand the underlying reason rather than blaming yourself.
I would suggest meeting with a counselling psychologist who can help you explore these patterns in detail and teach practical strategies to improve focus, time management, and procrastination. With the right support, these difficulties can improve, so please don’t lose hope.
Dr Namita Ranjan
Counselling Psychologist
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Please go for clinical assessment
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Hi,
What you're describing goes beyond ordinary laziness for many peopleâit can happen with stress, burnout, changes in routine, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, or attention-related conditions such as ADHD. The fact that you want to start, genuinely intend to do the work, but repeatedly can't follow through is worth taking seriously rather than dismissing as a lack of effort. To get back on track, keep your goals very small (for example, study for just 15â20 minutes), put your phone out of reach while working, use reminders or a planner instead of relying on memory, and build a consistent sleep and study routine. If these difficulties have persisted for months and are affecting your college performance, it's a good idea to talk with a mental health professional or your college counseling serviceâthey can help figure out what's driving this and recommend effective strategies or evaluate whether something like ADHD or another condition is involved.
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Consult
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seek help
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Hi , what you are describing is way more common than you know .
The problem is not procrastination or laziness but sometimes it is more of emotional regulation .
Next Steps
seek support from a psychologist. you don't have to do it alone , a professional help can nudge you in the right direction and help you identify what's under the surface .
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The conversation you are having with yourself . I want you to remember 1 thing- Not everything your mind tells you is the truth and the fact you want to work on yourself is a proof that things could be better
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Hey, first off — 18 and already noticing this pattern about yourself is actually a strength, most people don’t clock it till much later!
What you’re describing — deciding firmly and still not following through — isn’t laziness, it’s usually your brain’s attention system rather than willpower. I once worked with a student who said almost the exact same thing: “I decide, then somehow don’t.” Turned out her mind only switched on under last-minute pressure, not for low-urgency tasks like assignments, even though she cared. Very common, very treatable once you understand what’s actually happening.
This “I’m forgetful/careless” label you’ve been carrying since school, plus the constant mental noise — it’s worth understanding properly rather than just white-knuckling through it. Would love to chat with you in a session so we can look closer and figure out a plan that actually fits how
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Ms. Aateka Pithawala
Mental Health Counselor
5 yrs exp
Indore
The concerns described seem to go beyond typical procrastination. The long-standing history of forgetfulness, difficulty sustaining attention, mental restlessness, and inability to follow through on tasks despite genuine intentions may indicate underlying attention and executive functioning difficulties. An assessment for ADHD, along with screening for anxiety, stress, sleep issues, and adjustment to college life, would be recommended. With proper evaluation and intervention, these challenges can be managed effectively.
Next Steps
Explore the onset and pattern of symptoms, assess for ADHD, anxiety, sleep issues, and academic stress. Understand what happens when the client tries to start a task but ends up procrastinating. Ask them to maintain a simple one-week log of planned tasks, completed tasks, phone usage, and thoughts during procrastination. This will help identify the underlying factors contributing to the difficulty.
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Ms. Poornima Waghmare
Mental Health Counselor
23 yrs exp
Mumbai
Hi..I can understand your present situation . Your struggle with focus ,task paralysis and remembering dates is a common experience called executive dysfunction. You can build external system to help your brain manage some task..
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You can connect here..
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Ms. Pooja Bhargava
Psychologist
10 yrs exp
Delhi
What you’re describing sounds very overwhelming but it doesn’t mean you’re lazy or incapable. It would be helpful to meet with a psychologist to understand whether anxiety, ADHD or another concern may be affecting your focus.
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Maintain a daily routine and book a consultation with a psychologist for a proper evaluation
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Ms. Sandhya Gulia
Counselling Psychologist
8 yrs exp
Gurgaon
First, I want you to know that what you’re describing is more common than you might think, and it doesn’t mean you’re lazy or lacking willpower.
From your description, I notice a few important things:
* You genuinely want to study but struggle to start or finish tasks.
* Your mind feels constantly restless.
* You are forgetful and have difficulty holding attention.
* This has become more noticeable after joining college, where there is less external structure than school.
Procrastination is often not a time-management problem—it can be an attention regulation or emotional regulation problem. Sometimes difficulties with focus, forgetfulness, restlessness, and chronic procrastination may also be seen in conditions such as ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), especially if these traits have been present since childhood. This doesn’t mean you have ADHD, but it is worth getting evaluated by a qualified clinical psychologist or psychiatrist rather than assuming you’re simply “careless.”
In the meantime, try these strategies:
* Break work into 10-15 minute study sessions instead of aiming for hours.
* Keep your phone away during study time, not because it’s the cause, but because it easily captures attention when you’re already struggling to focus.
* Use a planner or digital calendar with reminders instead of relying on memory.
* Start with the smallest possible task (for example, reading one page) rather than waiting until you feel motivated.
* Maintain regular sleep, exercise, and meals, as these significantly affect concentration.
Lastly, please don’t say you’re “gaslighting yourself.” The fact that you’re distressed by this and actively looking for help suggests you’re aware that something isn’t working. Instead of blaming yourself, try to understand why it’s happening.
If these difficulties are affecting your academic performance or daily life, I strongly recommend a professional assessment. Whether it’s ADHD, anxiety, stress, or another issue, identifying the underlying cause is the first step toward getting the right support.
Take care—you don’t have to struggle with this alone
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Ms. Parmeshwari
Clinical Psychologist
4 yrs exp
Gurgaon
Hi
Thank you for sharing your experience, and at the age of 18, recognising these patterns is a sign of strength and self-reflection ability. It sounds like these difficulties have been affecting you for a long time and are now starting to interfere with your studies and daily life. Rather than blaming yourself, I would encourage you to consult a clinical psychologist for a comprehensive assessment. Problems with attention, procrastination, and forgetfulness can have several underlying causes, and identifying the reason is the first step toward effective management. With the right support, these challenges become manageable.
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Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.