I know this isn't the normal sort of question here in OD since it doesn't relate with politics, etc., but since as long as I can remember I've always been one to day-dream in class, though almost never intentionally. Do you guys have any advice for a 19 year old kid who will be graduating shortly and wants to improve himself? I know many would say to just pay attention but it is really hard for me. If someone so much as laughs or sneezes my whole thought process is thrown off. Of for instance, I can't do my homework if someone in the other room is watching T.V. Not even with the doors closed. Is it that I have adult A.D.D. or something? My parents are pretty old fashioned so they seem to think I'm dillusional or something. My mom finally said to talk to someone about it but I don't know who so I thought I might try here and see if anyone could offer some advice. I heard an advertisement on the radio a couple months ago for a similar thing but I can't think of the name it. My grade is suffering in trig now because of this and I know I could easily understand this stuff but it just doesn't click right. Don't get me wrong, I've always been the sort to catch onto things very fast but schoolwork in particularly seems to be an exception. This is really upsetting me because I will be going away to a very good college next year and I would like to come up with someway to improve this.

Thanks
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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Move out of your parents house, rent an apt and support yourself with a job at Mcdonald's or Walmart for six months. The experience should do wonders for your academic concentration.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Your trig grade will be directly proportional to the number of pencils that you wear-out practicing trig before the exam.

Keep your hands moving and your brain will follow.

You would need a professional to tell you if you have a problem. But I would modestly offer a different viewpoint:

I believe you are one of a host of youth in a generation that has had all sorts of experiences blitzing throughout your life...TV ads that flash at 1/2 sec frame rates, high-speed mind boggling video game and movie special effects, and all sorts of immediate gratification.

Growing up with all of this isn't condusive with the unchanging pace of a typical classrom lecture. You are distracted because you aren't stimulated.

Probably didn't notice this much in your earlier years because the course matter wasn't particularly challenging.

You may just need to learn to tune out and "teach" yourself to concentrate...hard to do these days with all of what's out there vying for your attention.

College success is more discipline than mastery of subject matter. So you need to get this issue corrected soon!

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

Im in the same boat, not that badly, if need be I can concentrate and get it done right, but I am also always setting myself for a minimum to achieve, if I need an 80% to be happy, I will get a 79%.

The best way I found to get my stuff done and organized was to wait for the last minute and then stress out about it and only concentrate on topic. I also tried faking a panic situation of last minute and that also works well. Im always confronted with people either needing me or wanting to talk to me so just get selfish and talk to no one. Thats what I do anyways, works ok most of the time,
Peter

Sounds like me......if you may be ADD! I was diagnosed with ADD..........Nothing you should ever be ashamed of, as people in our society have a weakness for being anything less than perfect, or elite, politically and religious!

There is less compassion for people who are not perfect, not the same as themselves. In their eye's, their perspective, you are zero, and those who suffer even worse are subjected to hatred and are not, or ever will be compassionate to spend 1 cent extra in their state, or federal taxation, for help for those who need..They are viewed by republicans as inferior human beings and not worthy....... IMHO............

For those interested, I do not take meds for ADD! I have achieved a college education, have master degree, and if I had more money, time, I would pursue a Phd.....BB

Amen brother. Nothing like being poor and going nowhere to give you focus.

If you have a need or desire for external motivation, the military offers some opportunities for people who have latent ability and are unable to self-motivate. You'll stll be poor, but you can't say you have nowhere to go. They'll have one for you.

I definitely have a place I want to go in life (law school) but I just wish I could retain information better that's all.

Thanks
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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I know what you mean. I always had trouble staying focused in math classes. Pretty much just 'cause I was never too good at math (takes me a while to soak information in, for example I wasn't really profficient in Algebra 2 until a year after I took the class, then it finally connected while I was in my trig class) so I just stared off into space.

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

Both the brain and the human will need exersize just like your muscles need to exersize. All will atrophy without stimulous and challenge. Set hard challenges that require self-discipline to accomplish them. Each challenge met and overcome strengthens your ability to meet the next challenge.

Winston Churchill once addressed a commencement class with a short speech describing how to accomplish great things: "Never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, give up."

Botnst, I agree with you. I really do enjoy reading and as a measure to improve myself I signed up for some more challenging class this year and that's one that I really enjoy. It's 20th Century Literature and requires a lot of reading. I've always enjoyed reading and have been good at it (I used to read all the time so I read quickly and have a good grasp on spelling, except for typos). I'll try reading more.

Regarding television and video games. I really am one that doesn't watch much T.V. to be honest. Also, I've never owned any video games and never really got into them much. I have always preferred to fix things, or at least take them apart while trying to figure out how they work. Also, I'm really good at teaching myself things like sailing, car repair, electronics, etc. so I don't think I'm dumb. One more thing, I always understand something if it's just me and the teacher. For instance, if I go in after school for help I always understand it very well. In fact many times the teacher makes it harder than it really is and dumbs things down too much to the point that I feel like a little kid. Oh well, whatever works.

Thanks
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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Also consider Ted's (W124) advice. I used to practice a martial art and found it very rewarding and always a challenge. You simply cannot BS yourself or anybody else when you suit-up and spar hard with serious students. Especially when you're older and spar with somebody your age--ouch!

Meditation is a huge challenge for me. I just haven't the nature for it. As close as I can get to meditation is Tai Chi, which coincidentally, is also the closest I come to martial arts. Old farts break easy and are hard to repair.

There is another factor to consider. You may be unable to concentrate because nothing interests you. I had absolutely no interest in intellectual pursuits in high school. It wasn't until a year or more into my Bible college experience that my intellectual light turned on. I've given a fair amount of thought to why this occurred. My current view is that I just had bad teachers in high school. They couldn't teach me to swim because their own intellectual pond was too shallow.
If you want to be a lawyer you are going to need to study Political Science, Philosophy, Intellectual History or a similar field. You may find it useful to go to your local college, read the student evaluations produced by the student government, talk to students and find the best professor in one of those fields and sign up for her or his class. A good professor in one of those fields should spur your interests and assign challenging enough work that the combination might solve the concentration problem.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

That hasn't worked at all for my step son. He's 24, going on 14, and STILL doesn't have his drivers license.

Check yourself for food alergies. Measure your pulse right after you get up. Eat one of your normal morning foods and 15 minutes later check your pulse. If it's higher, you may be having a reaction. Keep trying different foods during the week. Keep a log.

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Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.

kerry, I think you're right. The class which I used to be very interested in was always history. I am definitely a history buff and love everything about it. However, I was unable to take history this year for certain circumstances.

Thanks A lot Guys
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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