Having trouble focusing/paying attention?

Question

For as long as I can remember, I've ALWAYS had attention span problems. In class, it's just about impossible for me to pay attention to what the teacher's saying for more than thirty seconds (literally). It seems that everytime I try, something distracts me (something as simple as a pen, desk, pair of shoes, etc.) and sends me daydreaming. Even when I chose a front and center seat and concentrate as hard as possible, I end up spacing out.

Also, whenever I'm reading a text book, I'll often forget what I'm reading. As in, I'll read a paragraph to myself, then at then end, I sit there with this blank stare and can't comprehend what I've read. It's like a foreign language that I can pronounce, but can't understand the meaning of the words. Every now and again I'll even have problems with simple sentences, and I have to read them over and over again before finally understanding what it's saying. I have a short attention span with homework, too. If someone's in the room with me, I can't help myself but stop ever five minutes and converse with them about whatever pops into my head.

I've always been a pretty smart kid, though, and I've managed to maintain mostly A's throughout the years even without paying attention in class and reading slowly with textbook materials, tests, etc. But I just started high school, and I'm afraid that I'm going to need to be able to focus myself better. Any suggestions on how I can do this?

Answer 1

If you have difficulty paying attention to what is being said in the classroom:
Try to anticipate the main ideas of the coming class:
Look over your notes of the previous lecture and read the course material.
If you have questions about material from the previous class or text, ask the instructor before class about them
Prepare a few questions
you expect to be answered on new material if possible
Resist distractions
by sitting in front of the room away from disruptive classmates and by focusing on the instructor through active listening and note taking
Put yourself in the "mood" with
attentive expression and posture; do not sprawl
Shift position in your seat every so often
Don't sit frozen in one position
Shifting on occasion will help keep the blood circulating,
send more oxygen to your brain, and help you remain alert
When appropriate: ask a question, ask for more clarity,
or engage an instructor and the class in dialogue
Train yourself not to give in to distractions
The Spider Technique

Hold a vibrating tuning fork next to a spider web. The spider will react and come looking for what is vibrating the web. Do it several times and the spider "wises up" and knows there's no bug and doesn't come looking.

You can learn that. When someone enters the room, or when a door slams, do not allow yourself to participate. Rather, keep your concentration on what's in front of you.

Form a tunnel between you and the teacher

Practice letting people move or cough without having to look at them - just let them "be out there" as you focus on what is being taught
When talking with someone, keep your attention on that person, look at his face, and note what is being said. Let the rest of the world just be "out there."

Answer 2

Wow, you're doing good getting A's. I had and still have the same problem. I've never been diagnosed but I don't have to be an expert to say it's some form of ADD. There are meds available to try if you're interested. I'd first start by talking to your parent and having them take you to the doc.

Answer 3

Sounds exactly like me & I have ADD. I saw a psychologist first to get an accurate diagnosis. Then an MD prescribes. If you are smart now just think what you will be able to do after you get help. Life will get SO better. Please do it soon and best of luck !