Has anyone managed to quiet the racing thoughts / mental chatter in their brains while studying? And if so, how?

[u/nihaomundo123]

Hi all,

Undergraduate student who has always had random mental chatter / overactive inner monologue. Specifically, whenever I stop deliberately focusing on my surroundings, random songs or movie snippets will start playing involuntarily through my head. I don't suffer from anxiety or racing thoughts -- my mind is literally just random, chaotic junk.

While I am able to turn off the mental chatter somewhat easily while meditating, whenever I attempt to focus on a task that requires thinking (such as studying / reading a book), my brain starts to chatter away and cannot be stopped on command, no matter how hard I try to focus on the task at hand.

For this reason, has anyone managed to turn off the mental chatter while studying, and achieve sole focus? And if so, how?

For context, I have been practicing focus meditation for the past few months (i.e. focusing on thoughts and removing unnecessary ones whenever they pop up), but it has not helped much with studying.

Any true success stories would be deeply, deeply appreciated.

Sincerely,

nihaomundo123

[u/Frequent_Alfalfa_347]

Loud drum and bass music. No words and a steady beat = i can focus on what’s in front of me.

Mostly i use that for producing things, though: an essay, paper, dissertation, etc.

For focusing on what I’m reading or a lecture … good old note-taking. Processing every paragraph, writing ideas and questions that pop into my head. Writing things down keeps me engaged.

[u/Substantial_Dirt_853]

How interested you are in the topics you try to learn? As it does seems that your mind tries to detach from something that otherwise feels restrictive with your natural flow.

[u/Informal-Ear3985]

I first had to come to turns with my past very dark and messed up. But once I stopped blaming everything on a reason for me not to do it or why I couldn't. The voice started helping me. chatter didn't go away, but it's less distracting.

Also, try the 2 min rule if you do for 2 mins, and you still can't focus. Walk away for 5 min, then try it again. It helps most of the time.