She's 15 and has a horrible memory. One of the things she does is she finishes all of her homework (and stays up very late in the night trying to finish) yet when she arrives at school thinking she's got all her homework with her, it's not. Apparently I tell her to write a list of things somewhere in her room where she can see and remember. Yet she still can't!! She's been like this for months and failing 3 subjects because of this!!
I help her as much as I can, but I've got work in the morning. And I know she could get good grades, but with her horrible memory she can't!
What can I do to help her?
2006-10-06 15:43:48 · 26 answers · asked by Dude 103 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Get her off crack
2006-10-06 15:46:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 6⤋
With what you've written, it's not really possible to come to a firm conclusion. Other answerers have pointed out that staying up late is not conducive to a good memory, and that's correct. Does she do so because it takes so long, or does she get a late start?
She may be a perfectionist in some subjects, working much too hard on certain assignments and the rest fall by the wayside.
Another answerer mentioned diet. This can truly affect performance. Having a properly ballanced diet can help the brain function better.
Study habits were also mentioned. A properly organized desk, with sufficient lighting will make the work easier. Also, insure that the atmosphere is conducive to study. Is there a TV on in the background? What kind of music might be playing? TV and certain music will distract a student and hinder their work.
If all of this is in order and she is still having trouble, you might consult a doctor as to why she is having problems. It could be a health issue that she has no control over.
Good luck.
2006-10-06 23:24:33 · answer #2 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have her do her hw all in the same spot, at a desk or kitchen table. When she does it tell her to take one subject out at a time, when she is done put that subject back in the back pack. Also, doing hw very late is not a good idea, that could also be part of the problem. When she gets home she can take a break for 40 minutes or so, then hit the books. It's good that after every 20 minutes to take a break, like dance around,get a drink,something of that sort. 5-10 minute breaks seems . adequate, it depends on the amount of hw. It's all about being responsible and organized. Also, needs need to get at least 8 hours of sleep. No sleep results in memory loss. Worse case senario, if she doesn't finish her homework, have her wake up earlier then normal to finish it.
2006-10-06 22:49:45 · answer #3 · answered by Angela. 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm believing your daughter is OK but you said something very important and that is Up Late or Sleep. You don't necessarily have to be old to have a short term memory, I DO! ... Most of this can naturally be from not getting enough Sleep, or insufficient nutrients in the brain, (Try Ginko Biloba) an antioxidant for helping. If much sleep or rest doesn't improve her memory pattern, I would suggest having a test with a doctor to check for any related problems of memory loss... Also diabetics can have memory loss as well.. Have that checked if needed...
2006-10-06 22:54:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Obviously her mind is somewhere else. Usually when I am doing one thing and thinking about something else I can't remember what I did with the other thing while my mind was elsewhere. Maybe she is focused on something else when she finishes her homework and just doesn't register thast this and this and this has to go out with her in the morning. Many times I will have to leave the house three times before I can really leave because after I have left I remember something I forgot, and it gets annoying after the second time I left when I remember I have to go back and get something else. Thinking about other things right when I am leaving is what does it, so maybe that is what her problem is too. You'd think you could remember a simple thing like homework, but duh, then why is I have to keep coming back? Sometimes I feel like a cuckoo clock striking noon.
2006-10-06 22:52:01 · answer #5 · answered by Kokopelli 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She should definitely write down her assignments so she knows what she needs to get done.
But if she failing classes, are you sure that when she stays up late she is actually doing homework? Even if she is, sleep deprivation can cause serious learning problems (I know this firsthand.) and that can be a real setback. Let her do as much homework as she can during the day, but set limits and make her go to sleep at some point, even if the work isn't done. There's got to be a balance with school grades and personal health.
2006-10-06 22:47:47 · answer #6 · answered by sparkly_chrimsa 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It really sounds like she might be sidetracked. Possibly staying up really late is harmful to her. Encourage her to start her homework in the late afternoon so she can go to bed earlier. I'll bet her memory improves if she gets more sleep. Why not arrange to speak with her counselors and/or teachers? Possibly her "bad" memory is a real cry for attention. Maybe you could arrange to spend an hour of quality time with her every week, at the same time. Let her really talk to you about what's on her mind. Make it a special hour away from homework--let it be her special time with you. She might take this opportunity to really open up. She REALLY needs to know how important she is to you.
2006-10-06 22:59:02 · answer #7 · answered by sjs 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She's probably forgetting things because she's up so late working. She's probably just tired and stressed.
Have her start putting her homework and books into her backpack as soon as she's done - meaning as soon as she finishes her science homework, she puts it into her bag and gets out of English homework, and when she finishes that, she puts it into her bag and gets out her Social Studies homework. She neds to get into the habit of putting her things back in her bag AS SOON as she is finished with them, this way she'll always know where everything is. She should not have more than one subject of homework out at a time. This will also help her to focus, feel less overwhelmed, and hopefully finish her work faster. Putting her work away each time she completes it will also make it so that she won't have the chance to forget all her things later.
2006-10-06 22:51:17 · answer #8 · answered by fruitnroo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Help her develop study skills...she should not be up late completing her homework. She should get that done first thing,,,not late at night. Then in the morning she will awake with enough sleep, her mind will be fresh and well rested. She will think better. Sit down with her and help her. She has school, just like you have work in the morning. Be at team. She gets no sleep, neither do you.
2006-10-06 22:47:11 · answer #9 · answered by rcpaden 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Fifteen-year olds need a lot of sleep -- nine hours every day. It sounds like you daughter is extremely sleep-deprived. Of course sleep-deprivation affects the memory. It also affects reasoning powers, and general health and cognition. Sleeping in on the weekends isn't the solution. Getting a good, long sleep every night is the way to start solving her problem.
2006-10-06 22:48:05 · answer #10 · answered by lifeloom 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Try posting the list of items on a dry erase board nailed to a wall/back of door. That way she won't lose it. Other idea would be to have her put her homework in her bag... and put the bag infront of the door to exit the home. That way she will see it as she goes out. Hope these ideas help...
2006-10-06 22:46:49 · answer #11 · answered by B L 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋