why is this happening?

none the wiser · Feb 8, 2009

Have you tried reading and taking notes on the book at the same time? If you do that, you sort of have to focus to complete your notes. It forces you to read carefully for details and absorb the information.

Studying isn't fun, and even the most interesting subjects can be made boring by a textbook.

Do you have trouble focusing in lecture?

MasonsMommy · Feb 8, 2009

I often have the same problem - I can read a page 45 times and still not absorb it. I have to catch the absolute right time of day to study...it can't be too early or too late or too loud, etc. I hate it, but I've started taking advantage of the times I feel great and motivated to study. I learn 10x more in half the time if I'm feeling motivated. Something else that helps me is looking up the information in many different ways. Read your book, google images/diagrams, take some notes...try to mix it up.

For what it's worth, I have a 1 year old, also work and still managed to get A's in all my pre-reqs. It's possible! Certainly not easy, but possible. Best of luck to you.

BellasMommyOBRN · Feb 8, 2009

you may be putting too much stress on yourself. don't overwhelm yourself when you study, take each piece of information one at a time, one class at a time.

also, not everyone can simply read a text book and retain the information effectively (me!) try making flashcards, re-writing notes, taping lectures and re-listening to them,....etc.

what i normally do, is read the chapter the best i can before i hear it in lecture. i am mainly an auditory learner but, by simply reading the material before hand, some of the things i hear in lecture sound familiar (instead of totally new which tends to make some people zone out)

don't get frustrated because that makes it worse! when you start feeling stressed, go take a warm bath and relax a little bit!

good luck :)

lilag02 · Feb 8, 2009

I'm finding that I have to expose myself to the material in several different ways in order to actually retain it. I'm trying to read the material before class like someone else mentioned. Then after that particular class, I go back and highlight the information that was brought up. In my A&P class, all of his powerpoints are posted already, so I'm also trying to get those notes made ahead of time. While I'm in class, I follow along in the notes and add anything additional. I was finally able to buy a recorder, so as soon as I get that figured out, I'm adding that to my repetoire as well.

Another thing is online quizzes. Try googling or asking around here, to see if you can find any for your particular classes. Those can help too.

My thinking is that repetition from various angles is the key. I'm doing well so far because it works for me. I hope you figure out what works for you, too!

js408 · Feb 9, 2009

HI, i'm kinda disappointed. I've got into York this semester (yay!!) and taking my prenursing requiremets very slowly because I dont wanna mess anything up...but no matter what I do, I cant seem to focus. At first I thought, I just need to give it some time or this will go away on its own...but now, even though the book is out in front of me...I dont understand why I'm not reading it!? It's not like the material is boring in any way and I leave sooo much time to do my work and still, NOTHING. I dont have a learning dissability or anything like that, but I'm just soo confused and frustrated with this. I have tests around the corner and I dont understand my behavior towards this studying. I know I'm just venting, but does anyone have any advice on what I should do about this? Help.

Here are some things that occur to me off the top of my head. I have no idea whether any of them are true but these are all possibilities based on what you describe.

1) You have a learning disability that you aren't aware of. Some kind of inability to concentrate or focus. You can see a doctor or therapist and be evaluated for learning disabilities. Just because you've never had a learning problem doesn't mean you don't have one now.

2) You're too tired. Get more sleep. Drink a bunch of coffee or espresso before studying.

3) You're studying in the wrong environment. There could be too many distractions. Or, there could be too few distractions. Some people need to study in the middle of Starbucks. Some people need a certain type of music. Some people need absolute quiet. Try different locations: your house, a library, your school's science study room (every school has one), a coffee shop, etc.

4) You don't know how to study. Studying isn't something everyone just knows how to do. I graduated from highschool but I never really learned how to study until I got to college and took a course in basic study skills. Most colleges offer a course in basic study skills. If not then find a junior college in your area that offers such a course.

5) The material is too boring. Just because you're very interested in nursing doesn't mean you're very interested in, say, chemistry. Not much you can do about that.

6) You're too nervous/anxious/worried/etc. I have a hard time studying when I'm having a really hard time with some class and I'm worried about an upcoming test or whatever there is to be worried about at school (and there is plenty). Last night I had a dream that my anatomy teacher was trying to kill me with a scalpel. You either need to learn stress management and relaxation or see a therapist. Your school may have free counselors or therapists for stuff like this.

7) You're taking too many courses. If this is your first time at college (I don't know how old you are) then you may have taken way more courses than you can handle. There's nothing wrong with dropping one or two courses if you took too many. It's better than the alternative (F's on your transcript).

8) The class is too hard. If you're taking a course that's too hard, drop it and reenroll in a lower level course to get you ready to take it again. If you have a bad professor, drop the course and find another professor. I've had to drop two courses because I had professors I couldn't deal with. Not good but still better than getting a bad grade.

ciroshkaa · May 1, 2009

i know this has been a while, but i wanted to update it- now that i remembered the password. lol.

so i have taken the advice and did buy a recorder.

and let me tell you, it is the best investment i have ever made!!!

Thanks you guys :bowingpur

:stdnrsrck:

VaStudentNurse · May 1, 2009

Have you tried reading and taking notes on the book at the same time? If you do that, you sort of have to focus to complete your notes. It forces you to read carefully for details and absorb the information.
Studying isn't fun, and even the most interesting subjects can be made boring by a textbook.
Do you have trouble focusing in lecture?

Reading and taking thorough notes has always been the only way that I can "retain" the info. After a chapter I have a 3-4 page summary of it all which makes studying very easy. But all of that is no good if I procrastinate. We've all been there. I've looked up a few causes and cures for it. I hope it helps!!!

Here are 11 common causes of procrastination and corresponding tips to help you find the pace you're looking for:

Complicated-task anxiety: Break big, complicated tasks into smaller pieces. Complete a starter task, no matter how small.
Fear of imperfection: Accept that perfection is rarely attainable and seldom necessary. You're a person, not a robot. Use the 80/20 rule whenever appropriate.
Indecision: Determine your decision-making criteria, then set a deadline for your decision. Ask a friend to hold you accountable.
Priority confusion: Distinguish obligations from options. What are you really responsible for? List and prioritize tasks.
Boredom from minutiae: Automate simple repetitive tasks whenever possible.
Lack of focus: Minimize distractions. Check e-mail and voicemail only twice per day instead of every 5 minutes. Find a quiet room where you can concentrate. Resist the urge to keep taking breaks.
Poor organizational skills: Clean your work area. Put tools and utensils in their proper place so you can find them when you need them.
Laziness: Remind yourself of the consequences of procrastination. Resist the urge to be a couch potato. Try to complete several small tasks to provide a feeling of accomplishment. Reward yourself.
Lack of energy: Maintain a regular sleep routine. Eat healthy. Exercise regularly. Do not skip breakfast.
Early morning lag: Before you stop working each day, make a list of the tasks you want to begin first thing the following morning so you can hit the ground running the next day.
Post-lunch fatigue: Before leaving for lunch, make a list of the things you plan to do when you get back so you can pick up where you left off. Avoid eating a heavy lunch.

Do you identify with any of these causes? I know I can. Well GL to you!!!

LeesG · May 1, 2009

In addition to the recorder...which has helped me as well, I found, for me...that drawing things,

ESPECIALLY in A & P really helped.

I got a bunch of poster board and markers and drew alot of the things I didnt understand

Ex: I struggled with the blood flow through the heart...I dont know why, but reading it over and over again wasnt working. So I drew a pic of a heart, on a big poster board, then I put everything on the pic where it belonged Superior and Inferior Vena Cava, Ventricles, Semi Luners Ect...the WORKS....the I used a Red marker for oxygen rich and a Blue marker for oxygen poor and drew lines through the areas that the blood flowed. Then I used a very thin piece of white cloth, and layed it over my poster...I could see everything through the material, and on that I labeled all the places for the Intrinsic Conduction system...so my original poster wasnt to cluttered, but I had all the info I needed in one place. I then went to the test, with my pencil, and a red and blue pen..

( lol...I really did this !!)

and I drew my pic, from memory on the back of the test...that drawing helped me for the whole test.

When I got the test back, written on the top was a note from the teacher that said " Please only use 1 color ink"

So I saw her after class and she said she wrote that before she realized what I was doing, that she could see I was a visual learner, and that if that helped me...then keep drawing away...

So for me...drawing things helps alot !!! and I have posters all over the house !!!!!!!