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Concentration?
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A similar thing would happen to me from time to time, mostly when I was stressed or tired or my brain was just too full. I found that taking a lot of notes helped, like I'd read a page and outline the most important or confusing parts in my own words and that usually helped. It would at least force me to pay attention to what I was reading and help me understand by putting into words that I understood better. It did take extra time though, but after a while I found that I could focus again. Maybe if you are in a rush try just summarizing chapters...I'v never taken physics so I don't exactly know what that would entail
I've heard that reading things out loud helps you to remember and it forces you to process what you're reading. I like to study with someone else if possible (although not always a friend b/c then we almost always get off topic! a random aquaintance usually works better). It helps me to talk about it and hear other people talking about it. I retain a lot more. I took Physics in high school and had so much trouble with it. Good luck!
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My biggest help for concentrating is turning off my computer though! :)
Something that I've noticed that helps is getting out of my room. I like to be able to stretch my textbooks and notebooks out at my big dining room table. If I'm having to read a novel for one of my lit classes, curling up in my comfy chairs in the living room helps. Being right next to my computer, especially if I don't need my computer for what I'm doing, tempts me to hop onto GoodReads or check out other sites. I'm so glad that I'm getting an apartment by myself next year because I always felt so awkward to be spread out in the living room when my roommate was in her room.
Another thing that helps me is to set timers and mini goals. Like, "I'm going to spend 1 hour reading textbook A, then I'll move on to task A" or "I'll read 1 chapter for class A, then I'll write my paper for class B." Breaking it up like that keeps me from getting bored so quickly.
I'm so with you, Lori. Having my computer around definitely distracts me because I stalk Goodreads and check my email like 50 times, haha. Writing out notes is a good method, Tami. I find that if I read and take notes, then print them (if I typed them) and then highlight points in my notes then I've gone through thoroughly.
Since I'm starting school again I think I'm going to do what you suggested, Annashu, and read a page and take notes page by page because I tend to glaze over things when I read them if I'm not into it.
Timers seem like a good idea, Lori, but I'm scared that I would end up looking at the clock every 2 minutes until time goes by.
I usually just use the timer on my microwave, which is not where I'm studying. Or if I decide that I'm going to read until 2:00, then I'll use my wall clock, which isn't horrible to glance up and check.
I had concentration problems last semester but I learned that it was due to my bi-polar issue that I hadn't really resolved through medication. So I noticed when the problem started becoming worse as the stress became more abundent. I got some anti-depressants and concentration problem is no longer and issue. Before the medication I would be studying/doing homework and the next thing I know I've been staring out the window for an hour. It was pretty bad
Generally, I have a good concentration but it does happen from time to time that I have problems with concentrating. Right now, I have major problems and it is really frustrating because I have my exam in three weeks and a whole physics book to study so concentration issues = not a good thing. It's just hard to focus! I sit with the books, have everything ready and start to read but my eyes keep skim past the text and when I do read something, it feels as if my brain just can't process it, if you know what I mean. I read the sentence but I can't understand it in context.
Does anyone have any advice for this? :( I really don't want to fail this course.