can any experienced person help me with this???

Question

Hi,
I joined engineering recently,completed my 1st sem. Im not much of a studious person, but i know if i sit down to study, i can do much,much better. Well, till now, studying at the last moment fetched me good marks, but im not sure if this is working anymore!!i know i have to study hard, but get easily distracted( about any random stuff).i tried yoga & meditation, but didnt help me that much. i plan but cant follow it..All my friends study really hard & i've got an inferiority complex bcoz of that.I've never studied regularly and dont know how to go about it. i really want to change all of this, but dont know how to??? then when the results are out, i really get frustrated and angry with myself and i start hating the subject.i even consulted a doc, but he said its upto me to change myself. i also lose interest in something after some time & im confused most of the time. im a bit of a hyperactive.Can anyone plz help me out with this??????Am i the only one facing this problem?

hey,
thanks for all your encouraging answers. i love engineering a lot and wouldnt trade any other career for it.im great at mathematics,no problems with that.the doc i visited was a psychologist.i just have interest but no hardwork & am very lazy.i am an emotional over-eater and dont like to exercise that much, maybe that's a reason. can anyone of you'll gimme a detailed plan on how to study or tell me any website where i can get some free counselling?

Answer 1

Hi, your problem is quite common and hence there are so many people suffering at the university instead of enjoying while learning.

First you have to know if now that you have "tried" it, you really like and want to continue with engeneering. Engineering is not high school and even smart people can´t just pass by studying right before exams.

When I studied I used to do the same but when I went to the university I noticed that either I got better grades or it was kind of useless despite paasing the courses. Studying is not hard if you know how to, the problem is that really the education system does not teach HOW to study. So I will give you some tips that worked for me and thanks to them not only I was in the dean´s list almost every semester, but I had time to have fun and in spring, when all my class mates would start to run the study marathon for finals I could go and enjoy sailing on the Charles river.

First the most important thing is get a hold of the sillabus and bibliography, understand them, get all the books you need, and always know before hand what you will be studying next day/week etc. Check with the teacher about schedules and lessons and use first contact to understand teachers desires, manias, vices, personality so you know what they want and expect..

Second you have to study before the class not after it. I used conmuting time to read my lessons before class. Always manage to do that. I mean read, not memorize.

Use a red pencil to mark what you do not understand of the reading and to write down questions, in the same book, referred to what you do not understand and what you disagree with etc. Dont mind that the book gets damage, if it helps you it is worth it.

Then when you go to class instead of hearing the material for first time you will be already familiar with it and since you have read it it will be more meaningfull. Also use the class to ask about all that you do not understand and discuss anything you have not clear with teacher and other students in class. Dont be shy! Your are studying to learn and paying too so you should take advantage of everything the college has to offer specially the teachers, besides teachers love that students ask them questions, they notice you and remeber you when correcting exams and appreciate you participation.

The teacher´s explanation will act as reinforcement of something you already kind of grasped by reading previously. The discussion with other students in class will sharpen your mind and also reinforce your memory. very important not to misss classes.

While in class just do diagrams and summaries classifying what is being discussed so it the information becomes well structured.
Try to make the material yours. Whith this I mean that you approach the reading with your own oppinions and prjudices so you get pissed off with some statements, support others, try to weed out the crappola from the relevant things. etc

By doing so, studying before class you will have dealt with the material three times instead of one. First by reading before, then by discussing and understanding, which makes a great difference to remeber well and finally by instead of taking notes of everything as you have read, heard also and underlined Titles, names and issues you will have the material settlle and be much easier to recall next time. Also by participating you will feel good about yourself and what is as important the teacher will think you are a good student and others will consider you so too and that will take away the frustration and make everything easier.

As you decide what free time to use to study before class you can find dead peariods where actually you are wasting time anyway. Eg. Public transport, bathroom, breaks between classes etc. Also the teacher will comment to other teachers that you are a good student and other teachers will tend to appreciate your interest.

While you are supposed to know well the material after the class and studying, your are not supposed to know everything before class so by reading before you also can participate with important questions and the teachers will assume, by your questions that you have already studied, while really you only have read it over and underlined.

When reading before it is very important to:
Underline anything in bold like chapter titles, paragraph titles etc. Read specially the recapitulatyions and summaries since they will help you to get a holistic perspective. Discuss as if your life was on the line and like that you will UNDERSTAND.

Today that we have computers, repeating things like aparrot and memorizing has not much meaning. What is important is UNDERSTANDING so you can have now ideas, add new personal perspectives to the material etc and then it will be more enetataining for you and the techer too , they get really tired of correcting exams that just repeat, but less properly what is on the book.

If you understand something it means that you have integrated and ordered the new knowledge within older structure, to use a metaphore you it would be as if you were upgrading or updating your memory, instead of having to install a whole new programm in it.

If you do it like these you will notice that before the exam just by going over the materiall and with your diagrams the material will be easy to recall during examinations, besides your class participation is always a % of the grade and the higher it is the better since then your test scores are not so important, and anyway if you do it like that you will see how easy it is and you will be able to enjoy the spring and summer and life and not feeled like a trapped mole during the most beatifull time of the year.

When you think open> develop >. Meaning you present, enumerate and basically index the topics or main issues. Then you develop each issue further with own ideas and comment and you close with some conclusion. All paragraphs should have that inner structure and the whole answer too.

Does ntot matter if classes are large and everyone is quiet. You ask, ask, ask, comment, agree, make the teacher work his ar-- off for you and you will have 50% of the course passed before even taking an exam.

I was shy the first semester since I was a forigner and everytime I spoke everyone, including the teacher, turned around and looked at me like saying who defuskie (island) is this guy? Dont be scared of beinbg wrong or thinking if the question is stupid etc. If you have any question it means probablly many ahve the same one too. At least the best student i.e. the one who read before class.

When you see that you can do it easily, and kick a_r_ then you will feel great, gain confidence and your grades, reputation and esteem will soar. So just with a little reading ahead you get all these benefits and also use wasted time for something usefull.

Also try to understand each teacher since veryone likes differnt things and you should adapt your anwer and question process to every specific teacher, their prefernces and ideas. Sometimes when you get a techer that dislikes you, catch him, and dont let them catch you: it is the moment to really know the material even if you dislike it. When you have problems with a teacher you must read before and do more effort, then in class, seem spaced, look at the window, do as if you are not paying attention, but you are, when they try to get you, it is you who gets them, and so forth

Its easy and if you are not dumb, which I imagine you are not, you will benefit a lot with little effort.

Come on ...go out there and eat the world...

Best luck
SF

Answer 2

I am white, lived on Indian Reservations for years, working as a nurse, and was discriminated against on a daily basis, sometimes even hourly. In my entire life, I had always considered Native Americans to be absolutely no different from myself and had never held a split second's worth of prejudice. It was a shock and a major disappointment to find out that I was the only person who felt that way.

Answer 3

The 'Student Services" department will point the way to you: you need to take a course in 'study skills". You say you "consulted a doc": you don't specify what kind of 'doc' - the PhD or the MD variety? Perhaps you have undiagnosed learning disorders? A psychologist can assess you with this in mind.

Answer 4

I have the same problem. Normally i end up having to read it twice. or take more time with the subject. I heard that white bread calms you down. that was on yahoo answers on how to get sleepy. so maybe u should just tire urself out a little. i'm not an expert but those are some things that might help you.

Answer 5

Hi

you are not the one who face this problem alone , its common

the best way to study is to go out of your comfort zone , like if you are found of Eating More , eat less
if you are distracted from friends and family easily while studying go to a place where it is very difficult for them to trace you
i completed my Engineering while studying in public garden for 5 years

Answer 6

You probably don't like engineering enough to have any passion about it. If you don't feel passionate about a woman --do you pursue her out of force of habit? Consider either refocusing and changing your major or simply ski Tibet. Maybe a job? Weld a tricycle to a lampost and see if that feels right. It doesn't matter. Spin free for a while and your feet will take the direction your passion pulls you towards.

Answer 7

Hey friend.. You haven't mentioned where are you from? Ok no matter.Never get distracted by silly things.U r in to a professional course.Make friendship with brilliant guys of your class.I am the guy with same mentality as urs.Never give it up anything in life.Now ,believe me or not,I got a distinction in my Engineering.First of all get a feeling that ..if my frens can do it..why cant I ? Talk with ur parents openly.Follow their guidelines and their morals.Respect your parents..You have that passion..You have that calibre. Always be down to Earth...never feel proud but feel happy of wat u r doing.If u didnt had that u cudnt have spend that mailing this article...

Good Luck in ur career. Please dont forget to star me if u like my answer..Pls..
Dont worry...U have a bright future.I can say it by ur words

Answer 8

Its called self discipline. Its normal that at school level a person does normally very good without studying to hard then come university and that is when a person realizes that you have to be self disciplined. Good luck and maybe getting a study partner could help you learn how to study.

Answer 9

My dear friend,
You are hyperactive,so you want to be noticed always by others,you seek the attention of others,you need respect and love from others.Otherwise you get frustrated.Isn't it? You are emotional too?
You are above average,otherwise you wouldn't have got admission into engg. college.
You say you are good in mathematics.That is good.It will help you to understand things easily.
To improve your personal image,self confidence,pl. do the following.
1)Try to go to first bench
2) Be attentive ,very attentive,seriously attentive in the class.
You will pick up 90% of what is taught in the class.If you don't understand,ask the teacher, or other students,learn it ,clear your doubts,then and there.
3)At home or at hostel ,read the subjects again on the same day.
4) Develop the habit of recalling what is taught every now and then.
5) create storage of data in your memory.
6) Work hard very hard in the beginning of the year and try toestablish a place for yourself in your class.Try to command respect by getting better score.
7)Make reading a daily habit.Don't postpone anything relating to your studies,even assignments.
8) Maintain good rapport with your class mates,teachers and other staff concerned.This is mandatory to get their support and co-operation.
9)Take interest in sports,other hobbies.
10)Take combined studies with other friends.
11)Cosult a psychiatrist if required.
12)Control your eating habits.
13) eat lotof fruits and vegetables.
14)Don't follow the last minute study. It is O.K only for a few super intelligent students,who are cunning,pretend they do not study etc,but they are experts in listening in the class and grasping 90% of what is taught in the class.
Most students are cunning,jealous,but you are ,open,transparent and in this competitive world you and I can not survive if we do not determine to take care of ourselves and decide tosucceed at any cost.
15)Focus your attention on your primary objectives.
first you are a student,and you have to succeed as a student.
16)List your objectives and goal,proritise them.
17) As advised by our President Dr.Abdul Kalam,have a dream to become a good and talented engineer at any cost.
18) Try to vision a fantastic life abroad waiting for you if only you come out successfully with a degree with a good score.
19)High performers are only recognised in this world .There is no place for non-performers.
20) Decide,determine to suceed and you will succeed.
21) Take tutions if required.
22) Take the wise counsel of your parents,elders ,and teachers.
23)Love every one unconditionally who help you in your studies and all walks of life.
24) Shed your EGO firstand foremost to succeed.
25) There is no substitute for HARD WORK.
Perspiration: 99%
Inspiration : 01%
SUCCESS ; 100%
WISH YOU GOOD LUCK.
WE WANT YOU TO SUCCEED AND OUR BEST WISHES ARE ALWAYS WITH YOU>

Answer 10

unfortunately this isn't an easy answer nor really one that a doctor can help with. it is up to you to grow up and just do it. but I will tell you that I was just like this and ended up in the navy for six years till I settled down and was able to go back to engineering. maybe you need to do something else for a while to help you learn to buckle down.