Uhh, what's wrong with me...?

<p>Uh, I guess this kinda relates to my other thread, but whenever I'm listening to a lecture in class, all I really grasp is the gist of it. Same as when I read something. This may sound stupid, but is that generally what I'm supposed to get out of it? How can I actually get more out of what I read/hear?</p>

<p>Umm... I suppose you can take little notes, to help you concentrate on the main topic. Sit in front mostly, try to listen to emphasis, and cut out the non necessary information.</p>

<p>cornell notes</p>

<p>I have the same problem! I'm also horrible at rote memorization. Takes me three times as long as the average person to memorize something. It's quite unfortunate.</p>

<p>slap your brain every time you forget something. tell him who's boss.</p>

<p>Maybe you're in a class/reading material that's too advanced for you to grasp. Drop down a class or two, and read Rowling instead of Derrida.</p>

<p>^ Thanks for the snide remark, but for the most part, this just happens in the sciences. Perhaps I should try actually be a bit more concentrated...</p>

<p>Haha, no problem. To be honest, the same thing happens to me when I don't get enough sleep. I just zone right off in the middle of class. Suggestions...sleep more, drink lots of coffee, have a friend hit you if you're falling asleep.</p>

<p>Also, if you read the material BEFORE it's covered in class, as well as AFTER it's covered in class, you will understand it better and retain it better. Really.</p>

<p>I'm old now, but when I was in HS, I had to do this for physics. Physics was like a foreign language to me. I found it helped to sort of "pre-study" the material, then let the teacher teach it, and then read it again so it would sink in.</p>

<p>Also, ask your teacher if you can tape the class. Listening to it again later may be helpful.</p>

<p>Some people learn better by reading, some people learn better by doing, and some people learn better by listening. You, apparently, are not in the last group.</p>