AGH. How can I catch up?

Question

I'm in an online AP US history class. I'm interested in US history, but the class is killing me.

Now, a big part of this class for me was learning how to take a class. It's taken me eight weeks with the heavy workload, but I've figured it out. Now the problem is that I don't remember anything from the previous 8 weeks, and we're not going to have a break any time soon. Essentially, the class is up to about 1820 and I'd have to start over from the beginning. I don't remember anything from the last few weeks and I don't think I could handle the double workload. I've been diagnosed with ADHD but all the meds did was make me sleepy and give me a headache, so I quit those. However, I still have a hard time sitting still, especially when faced with a task this daunting.

To really learn everything I would have to double my courseload for the next two months, which in addition to being really tough would also probably scrw up my mental timeline...what do I do?

I already left and came back.

Left the class, I mean. And I really don't want to take more time off and get farther behind.

If I doubled up my courseload, this is what I would have to do every week:

Read two textbook chapters on completely different subjects.

Read at least 18 primary source documents on completely different subjects.

Watch two documentaries on completely different subjects.

Write two essays or an essay and a document based question, or an essay and a political cartoon analysis. All, again, on completely different subjects.

Take six practice quizzes, three on each subject.

I don't know what to do...I learn stuff by immersing myself and mulling it over, I don't think I can do that if I'm essentially doing two classes at once.

Leaving the class isn't an option. My parents first said that I didn't have to stay or take the exam but now they changed their tune. I'm not going to be able to study on my own and can't get a tutor, so I'm stuck here. What can I do?

I'm going to try to get notes from

a classmate, maybe one of them types notes instead of writing by hand. I sure as hell hope so.

It's especially disappointing because I missed out on some fun opportunities for extra credit.

Oh crap. I just remembered I also have to write a biography essay...

I'm screwed.

Answer 1

I'm starting to see a trend in your work young lady. hehehe.

I suggest you skim through the past 8 weeks and take notes on stuff that doesn't quite click in your head INCLUDE PAGE #s in your notes.

This will help bring you up to speed.

Depending on your text book, you might be lucky and have authors who refer to previous occurences and how they tie in. In those cases, it would be a good idea to go back and thoroughly read that section so you can understand the new section.

So in other words, stop trying to absorb linearly and grab up everything that will stick first. Then stuff the left overs into place.

YOU HAVE TO BE Diligent about the leftovers though!!!

Answer 2

Yeah ... you're pretty hosed. If possible, you may want to drop the class before it gets any worse. If you can't, this will be a hard lesson you don't soon forget. It is highly unlikely you have the time to go through all the reading word for word, so focus on the areas you have to write something on. The rest you can bold-face study (remember ... the important facts/names/dates are in bold type). Focus on the deliverables (the things you have to turn in). Don't worry about trying to "learn" the whole courseload of material. Ideally, instructors assign work that will be tested, so focus on what has been assigned that the instructor feels is important enough to have you turn back in.

Getting notes from your classmates can't hurt, but remember that notes are only as reliable as the person who took them. I have a bachelor's degree in history, and I'm sure I don't know everything there is to know about US history. Relax and start solving the problem rather than obsessing over it. No matter how big the tree is, it takes one chop at a time to cut it down. Stop analyzing and start chopping.