Can not focus in school at all...

I distract myself, I bore myself, I somehow tune out the teacher's voice, I can't stop listening to music, I draw on everything, I forget about homework, I put things off, I lose things... It's like I don't care about my grades at all, when in fact I really do. But no matter how hard I try, I can not keep my mind on my work unless I'm in one of my rare manic phases. I got three D's last semester and I'm really freaking out about Algebra II next year, but I can't remember a bit of math. People tell me I'm smart when I feel like a real idiot.

They tell you that you're smart because you are.

You process differently. Now, here's the dealio. You need to come up with a plan to get your mind in gear. Passing grades is your goal, or you could make it higher.

What's something you like to do? Draw?
Limit yourself to one doodle per assignment, then allow yourself to doodle all over it when you're done.
Listening to music?
Allow yourself to only listen to one song per... Mini lecture that a teacher gives? Till yöu learn one new thing?
Basically set limits for yourself so you can work on school.

I'm always here if you need help with your work.

Try to get a study buddy, or multiple, so that you can have someone working with you.
See if your parents will let you get a tutor.
Try finding an online program that works for you, helps you remember things.
Use flash cards.

Most of all, believe in yourself! You can do this, so do it!
Go Corn, go Corn, go Corn!!!

Haha... You make me laugh too hard...

Well, you need to laugh more. And stress less

I love this face it makes me giggle

love you

Haha... I don't even know what stress feels like

Obviously you do if you're having panic attacks and extreme nightmares an you're anorexic dummy.

No, I can't pinpoint the feeling. Either it's not there or it's always been.

Probably the latter

Like the whole depression thing? The happiness I had this morning went away and it sucks that I felt it at all because now I want it back.

I am a teacher, also an artist, also I have what is probably undiagnosed ADHD. I have to ask you, have you had any medical diagnoses for depression, attention deficit? There are meds that can help with both.

I want to add that I have a grandson, one of twins, who seems to hate school, though he is very smart, and is obviously ADD. I feel for him since I'm fearing this will make him act out in school.
I'm concerned for you. Let me know.

No, but it is just so blatantly obvious that I'm depressed. I mean, my parents literally made fun of me when I expressed concerns about my mental state, so I don't think they'll take me to get tested. Nobody in my family "believes" in psychology. I'm already taking lots of meds for deficiencies and problems in my diet, so I'm not sure if I'd like to add more on top of that.

Well, thanks for your support. I really appreciate it.

hey don't worry it will happen to every body . it had happen to me as well . just do what i says . don't just try to focus on your study and try to avoid that. and just take easy .

Sorry, yogesh45. If he wants to be in school and succeed in studies, he DOES have to focus!

I'm trying the brain training things on Lumosity. Maybe that'll help.

I have found it helpful to pace myself when I have a big study assignment. If I had to do a lot of reading, I'd read, underline, take some notes in the margins, make notes on paper, for about an hour or so, maybe only 15 minutes at a time, then get up and take a short break, have a snack or do some exercise. Then go back to the studies. If it was particularly difficult subject matter, I found I had to see it (read it), say it out loud (read it out loud maybe several times), and write it down verbatim. It is tedious to have to do that, but it was the only way I could retain difficult material.

Oh, I sometimes find that I've read something but the words have just passed through my mind leaving no mark whatsoever. Sometimes I can't even remember what I'm reading about. But that sounds good, so I'll give that a try, thanks!

Yes, I really have to work to remain focused.
But, remember, you will feel a great sense of pride
and accomplishment from succeeding at just one
subject or assignment. It takes a lot of self-discipline
which is harder for those of us who have trouble
focusing, but the rewards sweeter because of that.
You can do this!

Thank you. I think I need to learn to believe in myself, mostly. But I'm glad you do.
I got an A+ in my summer Philosophy class, which was awesome. Also makes me think I should take classes one at a time, which would be impossible in a normal semester... Oh well, thanks again.

It's funny you should mention just taking one class at a time! I had to do that very thing just a few years ago when I got my M.A. I was in classes with people taking huge loads plus working two or more jobs, and I thought, "How can they DO this!??" I was most comfortable taking just one class, but sometimes, like in the summer, I took two. By limiting my course loads, I did very well. At several stages during the M.A. study, I had to drop classes down to one. I had so much anxiety with multiple study demands. Keep in mind, that I was also working as a full time teacher, and I truly lacked the energy for extra demands like multiple courses. Because I limited my course loads, it took me about 5 years to complete the M.A. The alternative, for me, would have been to do mediocre work and get the degree faster, or take my time, enjoy it, and have great results. This might be something you will have to consider. Yes, it can take longer, but you could have a part-time job that is not so demanding, and allow yourself to concentrate on one or two classes at a time, even if it does take you longer that way!

That's great, I'm glad that worked for you. I guess I'll probably have to take it slower after high school.

Hey CaptainKirk I had this same problem when I was in school, especially at the time of exams

I used to try & deal with this problem by giving myself a break every 3 pages I complete & doing something I love, like playing a computer game!

I could never have managed to finish my studies without doing this... You could also make yourself the opportunity to have one or two days each week not to study, but enjoy these days in something refreshing to your body & soul, like playing sports or doing some social activity

Oh, that's a good idea. I'll give that a try.

Well I was reading this and...This describes how I was during my junior year of high school. (I just graduated this spring.) I cared deep down, but it didn't seem like it. I couldn't concentrate, I couldn't remember anything...I would take tests and not remember one question...So I want to tell you one thing.

You ARE intelligent. And you're doing one of the most difficult things there is - admitting something isn't right and asking for help! For that I praise you...especially for bringing it up to your parents, who seem to be extremely ignorant. My mom is the same way - doesn't believe in mental illnesses either.

Well...I have depression and anxiety. All of my school issues were contributed to those two issues. Well, most of them at least. I'll be honest, I'm not 100% fixed. I've been in therapy and on meds for almost a year. But I'm so much better regarding my shook work...

Don't give up - keep working hard! I believe you can do it. And I don't know where you are, but a shook counselor is a great place to start, since your parents aren't doing anything for you...That is where I started...Well, after talking to a close friend.

If you want to know more about where to start or what my experience was like, feel free to PM me about it. I'm more than willing to share.

I guess that was a lot more than one thing, huh...but I still wish you the very best!

JDA

Thanks! I'll PM you, that sounds good. Thank you for this.

PS I hate autocorrect on my iPod...I hope it didn't mess you up...Have I mentioned I hate autocorrect?