[grey_aj]

I always get these grand ideas in my head that I'm going to sit down and study and work my *** off and be so productive but it never happens. I just end up sitting there "working" for hours on end and afterwards I realize I didn't really get anything done. I waste 3 hours at a time.... then end up studying for 1 hr at a low-quality. I have everything I need to study: quiet space, time, notes, etc. but somehow nothing works! I sit down and I get started but afterwards I realize I have actually achieved nothing! Either my brain simply won't listen or something... everyday I have this new motivation to get things done but at the end of it it's always the same.... I start studying for exams and tests extra early, and people know me for being the good student, but no matter how hard I try, my marks don't show the effort that I have put in. I understand all the concepts, but I get to a test and I screw everything up when I understand everything perfectly. It's really frustrating. I am doing everything I'm supposed to be doing but with no results.

What am I doing wrong?! How can I be more efficient?

- AJ

[Down the rabbit hole]

I think there are lots of people who has that sort of problem - wanting to study and sitting down, determined to make something out of it, but then they find themselves not doing that much...

I also find it hard sometimes, to do homeworks and study for a test (especially studying for a test, where you actually have to learn things, you know?). I think I'm very disciplined in a way now - if I have a homework, I make sure to take it home and have a look at it mostly the same day as I got it. The best is if I can get it done in school (I have special lessons for home works etc), that way I don't get distracted in the same way I would have been if I did it at home.

I usually do my homeworks at home when mom's making dinner. At that time I sit in the kitchen with my homeworks. If I try to sit down right when I come home after school, it's very rare that I get anything done (lots of good stuff on the TV etc), but if I decide to do it later at dinner for example, it gets easier.

I think it's very good that you're studying extra early for exams and tests, I try to do that as well (even though I can't say that it ends up that way all the time... rarely, actually). It's easier to learn a little bit and then more and more instead of trying to learn it all at ones.

I hope that my reply was to somewhat help. Good luck with your studying. You're not alone in your struggles with this.

[avlady]

I remember when i was in college, it was very had to study because i would get so tired i'd fall asleep. Try to drink tea, or even coffee, take breaks and return to your work as soon as you feel a second and third, etc.. wind come around. Don't look at the clock it just makes you more nervous.

[Sometimes psychotic]

First figure out whether your are more visual or auditory. If you are visual a pack of rainbow markers will help you visualize you notes when you need to recall them...it also doesn't hurt to doodle out an image that you need to trigger a particular note. Even doing math problems in color is more fun. If you are auditory reading aloud might help I used to make tapes(this dates me, maybe you can make a digital recording) anyway I would turn on the tape at night to listen while falling asleep. You just need to make things less boring.

[grey_aj]

It would probably help if I just disregarded the clock then... the clock makes me so mad...

- AJ

Originally Posted by ajbpdljhsk

It would probably help if I just disregarded the clock then... the clock makes me so mad...

- AJ

i find that too.. in any situation- not just studying.

not looking at the clock makes it less stressfull and it seems to go quicker

i would advise just doing little bits at a time- break it up, and make sure you give yourself enough time before the exam or what ever, so you're not rushed

don't for example think at the last moment before a test- i've not done this, this, this or this... because then that will make you stressed

even talking about it with a friend and getting them to explain thing may help

[Miswimmy1]

a couple tips that have worked for me:

1. set a timer in 1/2 hour incriments, take breaks in between
2. make lists of what you need to do, broken down into little steps. following lists helps me
3. figure out how you learn best (auditory, visual, kinesthetic) and switch up how you are studying
4. ask for help from the teacher if you feel like the assignment is too overhwhelming (i find that i tend to procrasitnate and not be able to focus if i dont even understand what i am doing in the first place)

[airupthere]

Originally Posted by ajbpdljhsk

I always get these grand ideas in my head that I'm going to sit down and study and work my *** off and be so productive but it never happens. I just end up sitting there "working" for hours on end and afterwards I realize I didn't really get anything done. I waste 3 hours at a time.... then end up studying for 1 hr at a low-quality. I have everything I need to study: quiet space, time, notes, etc. but somehow nothing works! I sit down and I get started but afterwards I realize I have actually achieved nothing! Either my brain simply won't listen or something... everyday I have this new motivation to get things done but at the end of it it's always the same.... I start studying for exams and tests extra early, and people know me for being the good student, but no matter how hard I try, my marks don't show the effort that I have put in. I understand all the concepts, but I get to a test and I screw everything up when I understand everything perfectly. It's really frustrating. I am doing everything I'm supposed to be doing but with no results.

What am I doing wrong?! How can I be more efficient?

- AJ

Follow these pointers boss:

1.When they teach you something in class,come and study that the same day. Dont postpone stuff for later. I understand your problem is how to study..but remember that your problem will aggravate when you have a LOT of work to do deal with in a short span of time. Hence, when you study what theyve taught you lets say on monday and come home or wherever comfortable for you and go over it, it becomes real easy when the prof starts teaching you the next day. This is because whatever you learnt the previous day is normally related to the stuff being taught the following day. This will help you strengthen your concepts and do well in school. Revise whatever they taught during the week on the weekends. Try this approach and you will notice that your midterms and finals become considerably easier.

2.Do your homework/labs the day they are issued or performed. In case of HW,do it after youre done studying what they taught you for the day. This works as a revision tool and lets you know exactly how much youve understood. Dont panic if you can understand anything..or if youve gotten something wrong...just read over your concepts once more and try again.

3. Collect some sample/past exam papers if possible. Work on them before your midterms and when you cant solve a question then only do u need to goto that relevant topic and study. Otherwise you dont need to as everything is already in your mind. Easy eh? But it becomes easy only if you follow points 1 and 2.

This is all that i think you need. Remember that if other students can study successfully,party hard and still get the grades why cant you?
Thats because theyve been studying smart and not hard. You can put in all the hours but if you dont understand and cant recollect then all those hours have gone to waste.

Anyways,dont get scared or dejected. Its never too late to change yourself for the better. In fact keep in touch with your professors and tell them about your academic issues. They might help you in ways you might not envision of.

Remember this your academics are not your life they are just part of your life. If you follow whatever i mentioned, you can prevent it from becoming your life. You can also enjoy too. My friends do the exact same thing and get drunk as hell every 2 weekends and they end up with straight A's. Theyre in engineering as well. You say theyre smart...well everyone is. But they know how to use their time effectively. Thats the difference.

good luck and god bless,
airupthere