How do you stay focused while reading?

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I have difficulty concentrating while reading my text books (mainly scientific text.) I have prescribed medication for adult ADD, but I don't take it these days because of an interaction it causes with another drug that I take (Paxil), but I'll be honest, I did take one of my Vyvanse capsules the other day, and I was amazed at the amount of focus and concentration that I had. I could actually stay focused with out my mind wondering off to extremely random things for about 3-4 hours which is simply a miracle for me! I am going to talk to my doctor about weening off paxil, or asking him if there is something else I can take to help my concentration w/o any major drug interactions occurring.

Also, I wanted to know what strategies do you guys use to stay focused while reading your science text books? Do you have problems similar to mine, and if so what did you do to improve them?

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Specializes in Oncology/hematology.

I draw a lot... sometimes I feel that putting verbal into visual helps me learn and concentrate better.

Sometimes taking a really cheesy song and substituting the lyrics for the study material can help remembering- especially when singing it out loud--- my favourite is Backstreet boys "I want it that way"--- not my kind of music but it is so repetative and slow that it's perfect! I credit my awsome pharmacology grade to the BSB...

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Specializes in LTC.

I also have a very hard time reading text books. I can read every word but my mind is constantly some where else. Here are my strategies:

- I focus on any thing with charts, bullets, italicized letters, and graphics.

-If I have to read a few paragraphs I read in spurts. I'll read a paragraph or two, reflect, pause, and read again.

-I don't read for long periods of time, I just can't do it.

-Highlighting and jotting down notes in between helps me to.

-With my powerpoints, sometimes I read out loud, this may also help you retain some info.

Hope this helps and good luck.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.

Sometimes taking a really cheesy song and substituting the lyrics for the study material can help remembering- especially when singing it out loud--- my favourite is Backstreet boys "I want it that way"--- not my kind of music but it is so repetative and slow that it's perfect! I credit my awsome pharmacology grade to the BSB...

That is how I studied when I took A&P II :)

OP, maybe you should read this book "You Are Smarter Than You Think!" http://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Smarter-Than-Think/dp/0960862242/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1313962618&sr=8-1 If you take the test provided in the book, it will show you what kind of learner you are. Good luck! :)

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

When I would start to drift, I would start reading it out loud to myself.

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That is how I studied when I took A&P II :)

OP, maybe you should read this book "You Are Smarter Than You Think!" http://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Smarter-Than-Think/dp/0960862242/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1313962618&sr=8-1 If you take the test provided in the book, it will show you what kind of learner you are. Good luck! :)

I didn't buy the book, but I took some free on line test, and they concluded that I was a visual learner.

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I have similar issue. I can only read for about 20-25 minutes at a time. Then I need to take a quick break. Also, it's really important to do that at the end of the day too. It's all about rewarding yourself.

You should read this wiki article. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premack%27s_principle

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Well, maybe you can try putting the ruler under words or sentences you read,or cover the following lines, as if you are reading the lest line. General person can focus on one thing for about fifty to ninety minutes. Trust yourselves! :)

Maybe you push to hard to yourself. The more anxious you gain the less concentration you have. Just relax!:o

these are my own experience:P, hope it help

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I can't stay focused for too long especially when I dont find the topic interesting. Sometimes I read the same damn sentence 10 times, without even noticing right away.

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Specializes in Renal/Telemetry; Critical Care.

I read out loud like I am teaching a class. Then I explain things out loud which makes me remember them better. I have to be in a quite room and alone. I usually read something then try to discuss things through. I take alot of breaks or study a different way; I may read for 15-20 mins then make flash cards or create an outline of what I read. I also like to sit inside then go outside if possible the environment change helps me to concentrate a little bit more. If I dont understand something I write it down and ask a friend or the instructor.

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I actually got my first degree without reading any textbooks. Sometimes I didn't even buy them. I ended up with a 3.45 GPA, and I was fine with it. A couple of years later, I took A&P I and II online, and I read that book. It's the only text I've ever read cover to cover, and I enjoyed it. Most of my major coursework was centered around biology, btw.

For nursing school, some years later now, I read some of the books. I don't read it all, and I don't want to. Many of the nursing books are way too wordy. They'll tick you off reading the same thing over and over. However, I know to stay focused when I do read that I can't sit and do it for more than about 20 minutes at a time. The tv can be on and anything can be going on, but that doesn't bother me. It's mostly a wandering mind - thing. You'll probably just have to figure out how much you can take by playing with it.

I've actually found that if I skim my finger below the words that I can read darn near as fast as I can drag my finger across the page. I realize that's weird, but I actually retain more doing that. I even get through it quicker which for me is key. I've got way too much else to do.

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You know what... you just have to know yourself, know what works for you. Whenever I study, I easily get distracted but I always tell myself that I have to focus more. And when I start studying or reading my textbook, I visualize what I understood. That's how I learn and remember things. And of course, I always have a snack time and bed time for myself. :) If you're sleepy, you better get some sleep rather than trying and forcing yourself to study because whatever you just read won't seep into your brain and you'll just end up forgetting about it hence, you just wasted you time.

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