Learning Dilemma

Over the past six months, I’ve noticed that my listening skills have deteriorated increasingly. I’ve always been a good student, but I’ve noticed myself completely ignoring a teacher in random intervals or only half-listening to my friends in a story (these are things I’ve never done before). I genuinely don’t know what happened.

Moving on, I’m wondering if this is affecting my tactile/kinesthetic skills. I’ve never been the greatest at athletic things (largely due to shyness), but I’ve always had the capability in terms of strength, speed, etc. however, when it comes to technique it takes me 3x as long to learn compared to others. Now I wonder: am I just bad as an athlete or am I a poor listener? Even when I listen to (athletic) instructions like when someone is teaching me about my form it seems I only hear one part, maybe two, and need the instructions repeated before I fully hear/process everything being said. Even then, it feels like I’m not applying it properly until after a long while and lots of help. Some athletic things I grasp more quickly, others take me LOOOOOONG times. I’m wondering if this is just poor athleticism or listening?

Do I lack a certain intuition? Bad observational skills?

In Bio Labs, if I needed to assemble something, I couldn’t do it as efficiently as others with full understanding. I also received perfect marks on tests, but labs I felt like I had to work twice as hard to understand.

Even when I was learning to drive, something that seems equal parts listening & physical, it was like I needed to hear things 20x over before I fully picked it up instructions on something like adjusting speed when turning the wheel.

Opinions please?

Bad athlete or bad listener?

Any tips would be appreciated.

It’s really hard to say. I guess try to be more alert, listen more carefully, and things would probably get better. Start by focusing on one thing at a time, and make sure you’re able to remember/follow through with that 1 thing and build your way up from there.

Thank you, I appreciate it.

Ask your doctor about this, and in the meantime watch your nutrition. There can be very real medical issues behind this, perhaps a hormonal or endocrine problem. Just get checked out so you know for sure.

Whether or not there are medical issues involved, it seems as though you are destined to be a boss with a chauffer.

On a more serious note, you should talk to your doctor about your concerns.

  1. As this seems to have changed, i would talk to your doctor about it.
  2. Maybe you have ADHD
  3. Maybe you are used to using your phone all the time, and not concentrating on t ings for any long period of time and your concentrating “muscles” are week.

Do you have enough sleep? Did your sleep habits change?

I’m anemic, that’s about the only condition I have. No ADHD or anything because I’ve noticed I can truly focus when necessary. It’s just taken more effort lately. I do think my nutrition is a contributing factor since I have quit the track team, so I will take better note of that from now on. Thank you for your notes, I appreciate it.

It’s unlikely I have ADHD. Just looking at typical symptoms from a quick google search, I’m not disorganized nor do I have hyperactivity or impulsivity. Granted, I am impatient or squirmy at times, but it’s typically out of boredom rather than true incapability or struggles to control myself. I can focus when necessary, it’s just been harder lately. However, I did notice I have recently spent such a larger amount of time on my phone than ever. I used to average about 3 to 4 hours per day (most of which was music listening than anything) and that has shot up to 8 to 9 hours, sometimes more. I think nutrition and overuse of my phone are largely contributing factors. I will improve my diet and limit my phone use. Thank you very much, I appreciate it.