Get the distractions in there! Writing is very good for helping remember so write about the events/things you want to remember but see if you can find a connection between them and some of your distractions!

What does bipolar disease have to do with the French Revolution? Napoleon may have been bipolar:

http://www.famousbipolarpeople.com/n...bonaparte.html

The Revolution was not maintainable by the French because it was too extremist (Reign of Terror: "To punish the oppressors of humanity is clemency; to forgive them is barbarity." ~Maximilien Robespierre, 1794) and Napoleon took advantage of the chaos and took over, using his military and organizational ability to restore order.

But just find connections between stuff; arbitrary weird connections that will stick in your head? It might take you longer but it will be "fun" and less painful than feeling like you aren't remembering anything?