Tonight is my first final exam towards my Masters.  I put some time into studying this weekend, but probably not enough.  Last night, after the girls were in bed, I opened the book and my notes.  What followed was one of the most intense 15-minute sessions of staring at pages that you’ve ever witnessed.  I don’t think I absorbed any information.  I just flipped and stared, flipped and stared.  I finally decided to leave the house and go somewhere to force myself to study.  After about 45 minutes of light review, I gave up.

Studying is tough.  Not because of the material, but because of the focus that is required.  The phone rings, the kids yell, a lights flashes, there’s music in the background, work is on my mind, the family needs some time, a show broadcast in HD is on the TV and I can’t stop staring at it…..and the list goes on.

Got any tips?  What’s the best way to clear the mind and zone-in on the task at hand?