<p>Hi everyone,
I'm in second year and I've been having this problem all year where I physically cannot study. I don't feel like it's a laziness thing or a lack of motivation, because I want to study and I know that I need to (I want to open an eating disorder clinic and I know that I have to do really, really well in school to get there). I just can't seem to focus and when I do I can't absorb any information. I sit myself down with my books and my notes and I just can't take anything in. I feel like there's this big grey cloud pushing down on my brain and there's just nothing getting in.
I never used to be like this - I had straight As in high school plus I had an A minus average last year. I want to do well so badly but I literally will try to go through my notes and it's like my brain physically will not take anything in. I can highlight and take notes on text chapters, but when I'm doing it I don't absorb anything that I'm writing, no matter how hard I try, and when I try to read through the notes after I still can't take them in. It's like I'm reading another language. It carries over to my social life, too - I can't come up with any ideas in meetings and I feel like I'm floating in some sort of haze when I'm with my friends.
I just feel completely hopeless and stupid, even though I know that I'm capable of doing well. It's not even to do with distractions, because I turn off my phone and my computer. I don't even want to watch tv or go on Facebook. My head feels fuzzy all the time and I just want to curl up on the floor. That's all that I feel my brain can handle right now.
I hate the place that my head is in and it makes me want to drop out of school...I don't know what to do because I want to do well and go to grad school and I want to learn. I'm just stuck. Has anyone else been in this situation/have any advice?
Thanks a bunch - anything would be appreciated.</p>
<p>See a school counselor. They can help you better than fellow students who only think they know the solution.</p>
<p>I agree with beolein. Go see a counselor.</p>
<p>I am so glad you brought this up! I am the same exact way, I try so hard, and what I do happen to absorb is usually trivial knowledge or random dates and names. I would definitely see someone about this.</p>
<p>I force myself to do extra studying and work, even if it means studying 4 times more than my friends but getting a letter grade less on a test, I attribute it to a possible left-hand impairment where your right brain is dominant. </p>
<p>Are you left handed? </p>
<p>I sometimes think I have some form of dyslexia or ADD, but don’t want to mess with the natural balance of my body by taking magic pills.</p>
<p>I know how you feel. I was like you this time last year. I think it has something to do with the season. For some reason, every year around this time, I want to pack my bags, get out of the midwest, and go bask under the sunlight in hawaii. One of these days, I might just do that.</p>
<p>I agree with going to see a counselor, but I believe the key ingredient is to believe in yourself.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies, everyone! I actually went to my doctor and (surprise) we learned that I am anemic and also need to eat better (typical university student, hey?). I’ve been on iron supplements for the past week and have been making an effort to eat healthier and have noticed a HUGE difference. Not to generalize to others, of course, but nutrition might be something to consider if you ever find yourselves in my situation. Obviously going to the experts is your best bet - this just shows the importance of eating well, even as a student. Thanks again!</p>
<p>Yep, your diet will do that to you. :)</p>
<p>My advice? Figure out how you can best get into “study/work mode”. When you do, get into it in full force. For me, Study Mode is;</p>
<p>*A full canister of ice water (can’t study if you’re thirsty!)
*A protein bar (Protein = energy)
*A vitamin supplement
*A vitamin caramel
*My ADD meds
*My sound-blocking headphones tuned to Digitally Imported (di.fm)</p>
<p>Each one on its own may not help too much, but together they will save your ass.</p>