How can I mentally prepare myself to get back in the study mode of school again?

Question

On Monday, I'm starting a Grad Prep program for graduate students with a not high enough GPA to get into grad school. Here's my problem. I'm mentally disabled & get distracted very easily. Also, I struggle with concentration & focus. My Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder causes me to have unwanted, intrusive, inappropriate thoughts, & it gets the BEST of me when I'm trying to do my reading assignments for homework. I find myself spending hours & hours reading the 1st sentence over & over again & eventually give up on trying to concentrate on reading because of the repetitive unwanted thoughts. This also makes my mind go blank during exams & I end up flunking. This isn't fair that my grades have to suffer for my psychiatric disabilities, & the meds NEVER seem to help.

Answer 1

If you're currently a student at a college, I'd try talking w/ a school psychologist/student health services & ask if there's anything you can do to improve your situation. Have you ever been screened for ADD? You could have ADD or your problem could stem from poor sleep. I've been using sleep aids and find they help me sleep better, but my memory/concentration problem hasn't gotten better yet. I'm also about to give grad school a shot and worry about exactly what you've described.

Sorry I can't be of more help, but definitely talk w/ your doctor, a psychiatrist, or psychologist to see if they can be of any assistance. Good luck w/ grad school.

Answer 2

To stop the voices in your mind or to avoid getting sleepy, you can listen to nice upbeat music like old rock'n roll songs( if it doesn't distract you too much), if you have funny friends, call them up on stressful nights, that might cheer you up a bit and get you out of the repetitive thought cycle. Don't try to memorize or note down everything. Just go through the chapters and try to solve some problems. Never try staying up too late by eating junk food or drinking coffee because that never helps!

Plan to do something fun after the exams.

It sounds foolish but listening to the radio during work or watching a cartoon in the break makes me feel better, like I'm in elementary school all over again :)

Answer 3

I learned a little trick in college. I did everything ten times. But, I did it without stopping or starting. I would read a chapter or short section and make a check at the end. After ten checks, I would move on to the next chapter.

It helped a little with the stuff that I really liked or cared about. It worked super on the things that I hated or was no good at.

There is one problem. This works on the short term memory. In a year, it is usually gone.

Answer 4

Impossible