I’ll try to keep this short but I am at a low point in my life lately. I try so hard to study for tests but I just keep failing. It is always on multiple choice tests too. It is hard for me to focus in class and when I study. I always drift off and start thinking about other things. It is just so hard to pay attention. I have never been a good test taker and when I make time to study, I gather my study materials and end up taking anything in. Should I see someone about this problem? I just feel so hopeless and anxious. Any advice could help. Thank you.
OP, you have a number of posts about being anxious, homesick, unhappy, etc. It sounds like you may be depressed. Have you sought counseling? If not, please do. It really can help.
- Go to your counseling center. Like @suzy100 says, maybe you have depression or something. Get that screened for and addressed first.
- Read this:http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/1920853-college-is-a-step-up-from-hs-16-tips-on-doing-well-in-college.html
Also, go see the Disability Resource/Support Office, because if you do well on some tests but don’t do well on multiple choice, there may be a processing problem. If you get bad grades on essays, short answers, papers, AND multiple choice tests then there’s another problem.
And do go to your counseling center.
No matter what the issue is, keep in mind:
- What you are doing isn’t working
- You want to succeed
- Your college wants you to succeed
- Your college provides resources (that tuition pays for) to help you succeed
- You don’t want to look back and not have done everything you could
Now you might feel weird/strange/scared/apprehensive about asking for help.
Do it anyway.
If you have trouble doing getting help from tutors/professors/counseling center/study skills center then ask someone, anyone you trust to go with you.
If your mind wanders when you try to pay attention, perhaps you have Attention Deficit Disorder. You could ask for a recommendation of a psychologist (PhD) who specializes in testing for ADD and ADHD. Pediatricians often know who is good at doing this testing.
40 percent could be a good grade depending on the class, it’s all relative in a class with a curve. Go to office hours and ask your professor for advice. He/she can actually see what you are doing wrong. See if your school has academic support services and use them.
Also do seek counseling/evaluation as others have suggested above.
It doesn’t sound to me as though this is about test taking, it sounds to me as though you need a different strategy for studying and classroom learning.
I agree that the both the prof’s office hours and the student success center might be good starting places.
Also, what strategies worked in high school?
Are you getting enough sleep, or enjoying your new independence to the point where it’s interfering with your ability to pay attention? Are you eating right? That counts too.
I agree with the first post. I also suspect you may have ADD or something like it. Please talk with your parents. Failing all of your tests is not sustainable. You need to see a professional and get a diagnosis. Even your regular doctor is a good first stop. The issues you describe in this and other posts is probabaly beyond the scope of strangers on CC. Talk to your parents today.
Start with the counseling center. Some focus problems are related to emotional health and it sounds like regardless of what is going on, that could help. They may refer you for a neuro psych exam (which sounds like a good idea in any case.) Your mental health state will be important to interpreting the results, which is why you should go down both paths.
If you want to use some of the strategies for ADD sufferers, you’ll find them helpful (whether you have ADD or not.) Breaking tasks into smaller pieces, getting rid of distractions, taking brisk walks between tasks, etc. You can try drinking coffee water while studying (or a cup of coffee before you sit down). It helps some people.
But the big takeaway here is Seek Help!