Hard time concentrating

I have been trying to studying and I find it very hard to concentrate. Ever since I have started back to school, after a year hiatus, I find that now I cant study very well or retain information at all. I just have so many thoughts rushing around in my head I cant pin on one thought or another. Its terrible, any study tips when I deal with this? How do I pass classes when my thoughts are rushing around.
Thanks

I know that feeling all too well. My solution when I was still taking classes was to do it in ten minute increments with a timer set so I wouldn't go over and then a ten minute break to do whatever I wanted (healthy options of course). that way I felt like I was accomplishing something and at the same time I wasn't being overwhelmed with information. I'd also take notes while I read so I could reread them after each section was over. It worked for me, maybe you could try it.

I'll have to try that because me trying an hour on and off is not working at all. But I'm at my pdoc today so ill have to bring this up see if my meds are messing with me.

Have ever been tested for ADD? There are many similar traits between ADD and BP... I wish I'd know about my ADD when I was in school. 1000 thoughts rushing through my brain and no way to stop and grab the right one...

Get and walk around every 15 -20 minutes. Set a timer to help. Just a quick little walk can wake the brain up a bit

That might be it too. Good luck at you appointment hope you figure it out and that ten minutes helps.

I have adhd and the rushing thoughts were only a SMALL part of it. But for me, it went much deeper than that. If you are ONLY having issues paying attention and nothing else then perhaps your sleep schedule is messed up? I know if I don't get my sleep (even on my adhd meds) im a total mess.
The again, you could just have inattentive add. I have combined adhd which includes impulsiveness etc. But of course, I'm not a doctor- just speaking from life experience I hope you get an answer. I know how hard it is.

Could be ADHD inattentive. Or anxiety. Or an undiagnosed learning disability. There are so many possibilities. I would talk to your doc about it... If its only at school or in certain situations, maybe it is just that you are disinterested in the subject and are bored...

I had a very hard time concentrating as well. What Waterbottle said is a very good idea. I would make a list of the things that were absolutely necessary (eg. papers that needed to be written) and start by just doing something from that list for 10 min. Then I would take a break - ideally go outside and get some fresh air and then go back to studying again. What also worked was forcing myself to study at the library because there weren't as many distractions ) Some people study easier in groups. I had a group of friends I studied with for some subjects. Each one of us would make a summary of a specific topic and share that among each other.