I Need School Help

[Deleted User] · September 2014

I'm having a lot of trouble focusing when I study. When I do manage to focus enough to get through a chapter I have a really hard time remembering any information when I'm done. How do you focus when you're studying? How do you manage to retain things when you're done? I also get major anxiety when I'm studying which doesn't help anything. There are times when I end up with a full on panic attack and tears. I start to feel like I'm not smart enough to do it and my brain quickly goes into a downward spiral. Does anyone else ever feel like this?

[Deleted User] · September 2014

loonylovejoy said:

First question: Are you reading in a book or online?

In a book. I also do some stuff online.

MoonlitPlumeria · September 2014

I tend to go slowly and take notes if I am finding it hard to concentrate. And I put it in more layman's terms if need be.

[Deleted User] · September 2014

TyrannosaurusLex said:

Everything you describe sounds so familiar, it sounds exactly like me before I got tested and medicated (and therapy) for ADHD. Have you considered going down that road? It changed my life, both academically and personally. Sorry you're struggling. It doesn't mean you're dumb. It means you haven't found out what works for you yet.

I didn't even think about that. Do I talk to my therapist about it or my regular doctor. At this point I'll try anything.

pdh2008 · September 2014

pobrecita said:
I write notes as I read. You can re-write your notes for extra retention.

This also goes for lectures.

Same. I find it especially helpful if the material isn't something in which you're particularly interested.

cinderin · September 2014

At university I often used "flash cards"/note cards and would quiz myself on topics/terms.

If you are having anxiety, would listening to classical music while you read help? Or sitting in a comfortable chair or drinking herbal tea? If you have something you can do that relaxes you, that might help.

MoonlitPlumeria · September 2014

loonylovejoy said:
I learned how to "gut" a chapter in grad school. Read the first paragraph, the first and last sentence of each following paragraph and the last paragraph then mark those with a pencil check that sound important.

Then you can go back through and read through the "important" paragraphs and take notes.

This is the only way I got through 600 pages of reading a week!

I also am a huge supporter of making flash cards.

OMG, this sounds like something I should have known in college!

[Deleted User] · September 2014

TyrannosaurusLex That's exactly how I feel. I feel like I'm incredibly smart one minute and dumb as a rock the next. In HS I was always able to hide what I struggled with pretty well. All that mattered was passing test and a certain amount of homework so it wasn't that hard. I taught myself all the info that I needed for my tech certifications and learned everything else on the job. Now I can't really do that and I feel like I'm up against a wall. Part of me knows that I'm smart enough to do it but there is that other half that keeps telling me that I can't because I'm stupid. I really have to stop calling myself stupid.

[Deleted User] · September 2014

TyrannosaurusLex said:

TyrannosaurusLex said:

Everything you describe sounds so familiar, it sounds exactly like me before I got tested and medicated (and therapy) for ADHD. Have you considered going down that road? It changed my life, both academically and personally. Sorry you're struggling. It doesn't mean you're dumb. It means you haven't found out what works for you yet.

I didn't even think about that. Do I talk to my therapist about it or my regular doctor. At this point I'll try anything.
You need a psychologist, so probably a referral from your doctor would be easiest. Your school may have one on staff unless you're doing distance ed and that's not an option?

I'll talk to my doctor next week. I'm not sure if my school has one. I only go on campus for labs. Everything else is online. I'll still look into it. Thank you!

[Deleted User] · September 2014

@loonlylovejoy Thank you so much. That sounds like it would help big time.

@BunkinMama I have no idea what my learning style is. I'm odd. Sometimes I can't focus at all unless I'm doing multiple things. For a long time I couldn't read a book without listening to music or doing something else at the same time. I can actually read book while I'm watching a movie and know what's going on in both. Is there some way to figure out what my learning style is?

sarahandeddiejune212008 · September 2014

I actually have a master's in education as a reading specialist. PP have given great suggestions. I'd also recommend reading the text outloud and follow along with your finger at the same time.

Another trick I use with my students is having them tap their knee with the opposite hand while reciting the important information in the text. Crossing the midline and doing something physical stimulates your brain more than just reading alone.

[Deleted User] · September 2014

TyrannosaurusLex said:

@guiltypleasures‌ hugs, I know exactly what you mean. It's a horrible feeling. It feels like you're missing a chip that everyone else has, even though you know you're an upgraded model I'm going to hold you accountable for following through on this! I know where to find you.

Please do! I have a doctor's appointment for something else next Tuesday. I'll bring it up then.

loonylovejoy said:

@guiltypleasures‌ you are not stupid! I know how you feel, and it is hard to overcome, but you can do it!

=(( :x

[Deleted User] · September 2014

Thanks everyone!

carrotcake06 · September 2014

I have to take notes. Sometimes I don't ever go back and read them, the action of writing it down is enough for me. If I just hear it, it's like it never happened - I'm not auditory at all, so I'd take pages and pages of lecture notes.

In college I used to study for essay tests (in blue books - what memories, ha) by rewriting all of my notes into categories and then assigning mnemonic devices / patterns to them and writing that out over and over again. Then when I was given an essay topic, I just vomited up the pattern I had memorized.

[Deleted User] · September 2014

BunkinMama said:

I have a thing with math. I do better with algebra and calculus while listening to music. With geometry and trig I can't listen to music because I need to visualize more. There was no magic way I learned my style, it was just trial and error. (And 8 years of college). Could you try seeing if you can get an audio of a power point and take notes while listening, multitask studying. What company printed your books? There are a lot of resources for studying from the company websites. I'm thinking of the big ones like McGraw-Hill and Pearson.

I'll definitely look for other resources from my book's publishers. They're over in my office but when I get up I'll go look. Thanks for the idea.

[Deleted User] · September 2014

You're all sexy ladies with brains as big as your hearts.

Karbird5 · September 2014

You've gotten some great suggestions already. I'll throw out a few more:

Try going to the library and sitting down at a quiet, empty desk. Nothing else to do but study.

I am visual and kinesthetic so I always rewrote terms in my own writing, often in different colors. I would also make drawings and spider graphs/clouds of info. Staring at a text was never helpful for me and many of my profs didn't test from the textbook either.

I work at a University disability services program. If a person has a diagnosis of ADHD or LD they may qualify for extended time on exams. Just a thought,

ToastieSimons · September 2014

Write notes/outlines of key points as you read.

That's the only thing that helped me. I rarely had those types of courses in college and I realize I struggle with following along in listening to lectures or following reading without taking notes to keep building.

I majored in engineering so it was constantly writing down formulas and building them into new formulas so I put that into my note taking. I do outlines and build on them.

[Deleted User] · September 2014

I'm going to dedicate my first robot butler to Parenting.

angelashly · September 2014

pobrecita said:
I write notes as I read. You can re-write your notes for extra retention.

This also goes for lectures.

I do this too.

It has to be quiet for me too so if dd is in the living room I go into the kitchen where I can't really hear the tv but can still see her. I still have days I can't concentrate though

Want a personalized experience?

I Need School Help

Re: I Need School Help

Choose Another Board

Search Boards