attention difficulties in class lectures?

Question

I don't know why this happens. I can sit through a class lecture and learn only a few things in the beginning but eventually my mind drifts off and becomes oblivious to the rest of the material.

However, when I record my class lectures and go back to listen to them later on my computer I am MUCH more alert and am able to absorb some 90% of the material and am able to understand thing with greater ease.

This is really frustrating because I don't always have enough time in the day to go home and sit through 2 long lectures every time.

Is there something wrong with me? I am depressed and have been on Lexapro for almost 2 weeks, but I haven't really noticed any change in cognition.

Really need advise.

Answer 1

It just means you learn differently. I can't sit threw a lecture and pay attention that well either. Everyone learns different. And it seems like lectures aren't your thing. What about a laptop? Do you have one and or can you bring it to class. Sometimes writing down or typing what someone is saying can help you pay attention. If its possible for your course, maybe even draw a diagram of whats being talked about. Try stop recording when you hear something you know, or if you have a timer on your recorded write that down so later when you listen back you know you can skip it.

Answer 2

We ALL deal with social anxieties. Some of us can block it out, some of us can't. I'm good at juggling the two, but its most likly the fact that the social environment of the class room "excites" you to a point that makes it hard to focus. Plus its natural, being with people excites us, makes us run faster in our heads, and this is most likly making it hard on you to focus. Really comes to a head with the fact that you've been diagnosed with depression. Unfornutly since your taking a drug to "treat" the depression, it could be a sign of how that drugs affecting you, its why I hate the ideal of using drugs to cure mental illiness short of psychosis. Depression and pill poping do not make good bed-fellows I don't care what those cracks have to say about it....