The more I study the less I learn?

[stupid9234]

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Why?

I used to be so smart and able to absorb material like a sponge. Now I sit there like *derp*?

 

[Pacna]

I feel like you have more than one thread like this.

Unless you suffered a TBI, you have nearly the same aptitude you did before. I would guess that you're struggling with the transition from high school to college.

Then again, I (and 99.9% of people on this site) am no expert. See a shrink if you need help with your cognition.

 

[stupid9234]

I feel like you have more than one thread like this.

Unless you suffered a TBI, you have nearly the same aptitude you did before. I would guess that you're struggling with the transition from high school to college.

Then again, I (and 99.9% of people on this site) am no expert. See a shrink if you need help with your cognition.

Why is this transition so long?

 

[Pacna]

Why is this transition so long?

You underestimated the requirements for good grades in college, and you're not adjusting. I was lucky and overestimated, and I did quite well but had no social life the first semester.

Reassess. The only thing that separates you from your peers are your study habits.

 

[Boolean]

Why is this transition so long?

For some, it isn't. For others, it is. It depends on a multitude of factors, most notably maturity and understanding of the work put in front of you.

 

[ponyo]

Not to be super depressing, but you definitely lose your memory/ability to learn quickly as you get older too. So it's only going downhill from here...

I've tried to make up for it by developing better habits/different types of error checking systems for myself, etc. But it is rough.

 

[487806]

Why?

I used to be so smart and able to absorb material like a sponge. Now I sit there like *derp*?

You need better study habits, although I think your high school did a pretty poor job in prepping you (did you take AP classes? CC classes during high school?).

 

[stupid9234]

You need better study habits, although I think your high school did a pretty poor job in prepping you (did you take AP classes? CC classes during high school?).

Yes, I took almost all AP classes junior and senior year. My high school is ranked very well nationally and even though it was public, you had to apply to get in. Maybe it is confidence?

 

[487806]

Yes, I took almost all AP classes junior and senior year. My high school is ranked very well nationally and even though it was public, you had to apply to get in. Maybe it is confidence?

Yeah that's probably it. You shouldn't have a problem in college if you did well in high school.

 

[Pacna]

You shouldn't have a problem in college if you did well in high school.

Said no one ever. >v<

 

[487806]

Said no one ever. >v<

Uh, well it's true in OP's case. High school can literally make college look like a joke (unless it's a Top 20/30)

 

[stupid9234]

Uh, well it's true in OP's case. High school can literally make college look like a joke (unless it's a Top 20/30)

Yeah, this is the case for most students from my high school who went to average ranked universities. The few other students I came here with are/were also struggling.

 

[487806]

Yeah, this is the case for most students from my high school who went to average ranked universities. The few other students I came here with are/were also struggling.

It's just the initial transition problem. Even if you're struggling with the first semester/quarter, you can quickly recover and annihilate your way through for rest of your academic season. A lot of my friends did that.

 

[mrh125]

i don't know how that works. I pretty much have to study non-stop 5 days a week to do well.

 

[stupid9234]

It's just the initial transition problem. Even if you're struggling with the first semester/quarter, you can quickly recover and annihilate your way through for rest of your academic season. A lot of my friends did that.

But it's the opposite for me. Freshman year I annihilated my Chemistry class and could assume I was the top student. Now I'm easily the bottom 1/4-1/2, maybe I just burned out too quickly? I think I'm lacking motivation and can't find it.

 

[Pacna]

i don't know how that works. I pretty much have to study non-stop 5 days a week to do well.

In undergrad??

 

[mrh125]

In undergrad??

yea. i studied my ass off.

 

[NorthernMav]

Oh no, your fluid memory is declining. All you have left is crystallized memory. Time for adderall.

 

[487806]

yea. i studied my ass off.

You need better study habits

 

[mrh125]

You need better study habits

nope, bad assumption you got there. Not everyone has the same exact skillset as you. I can improve, but you don't know enough to make that assumption. A lot of people use that sort of fallacious logic and falsely assume that everyone can do things the same way they do and that's just all around bad reasoning.

 

[Pacna]

yea. i studied my ass off.

There's no way 5 days every week is necessary. Unless you're taking 20+ credits. Then I'm with you.

 

[mrh125]

There's no way 5 days every week is necessary. Unless you're taking 20+ credits. Then I'm with you.

16-20, a lot of sci courses do take a lot of work though. some classes that are 3 units (i had a 3 unit MCB course) that should have been 5 units with all of the work required to get a good grade.

 

[Pacna]

16-20, a lot of sci courses do take a lot of work though. some classes that are 3 units (i had a 3 unit MCB course) that should have been 5 units with all of the work required to get a good grade.

Alright. Then I think you're on the high end of study time, but not outlandish.

 

[CollegeGirl94]

nope, bad assumption you got there. Not everyone has the same exact skillset as you. I can improve, but you don't know enough to make that assumption. A lot of people use that sort of fallacious logic and falsely assume that everyone can do things the same way they do and that's just all around bad reasoning.

Seriously, some of my best friends need to barely look at a book. When I tried that, well that explains my freshman GPA.

 

[AkGrown84]

Not to be super depressing, but you definitely lose your memory/ability to learn quickly as you get older too. So it's only going downhill from here...

I've tried to make up for it by developing better habits/different types of error checking systems for myself, etc. But it is rough.

I second this above ^^. I don't know your ages, but let me tell you....as you age, have kids, add more to the mix, it gets harder to retain information! Take it from me: a 30-something mom of 4.......enjoy it while it lasts! 🙂

 

[mrh125]

Alright. Then I think you're on the high end of study time, but not outlandish.

yea, bio type courses are among the most difficult courses for me just bc of my reading comprehension and memorization ability. If it was all like chem or math then i'd require a bit less studying. meh, i'll improve what I can but I know my limitations.

 

[RubicStorm]

If you're not motivated, you're not motivated. This made a huge difference for me. Only you can fix that I'm afraid and it might take time and soul searching beyond just a couple of days. It really occurred only after college for me.

On the plus side, I don't think your aptitude for learning or memory is an issue considering your APs and performance in chemistry. Your self-defeating attitude may be holding you back though. A little humility and introspection is good, but I wonder if you're making your name self-fulfilling. Consider changing/deleting your name and starting "fresh".😉

 

[Pacna]

Seriously, some of my best friends need to barely look at a book. When I tried that, well that explains my freshman GPA.

No way, man. They either learned the information earlier or they were studying and hiding it from you. People aren't magic.

 

[CollegeGirl94]

No way, man. They either learned the information earlier or they were studying and hiding it from you. People aren't magic.

Probably, I never see them outside of class.

 

[487806]

nope, bad assumption you got there. Not everyone has the same exact skillset as you. I can improve, but you don't know enough to make that assumption. A lot of people use that sort of fallacious logic and falsely assume that everyone can do things the same way they do and that's just all around bad reasoning.

Wat. All I'm saying is studying vigorously for 5 days per week regardless of the courseload is unreasonable (including physics/engineering/humanities, but I believe you don't belong to any of these categories). Your aim is to study smarter, not harder. If you're studying this much, your study habits are bad. Sorry.

yea, bio type courses are among the most difficult courses for me just bc of my reading comprehension and memorization ability. If it was all like chem or math then i'd require a bit less studying. meh, i'll improve what I can but I know my limitations.

Because chem and math you take are baby courses (sorry to offend others - not my intention). That's like saying you'll require less studying for intro bio courses. It doesn't mean anything.

Memorizing in upper level bio courses is difficult, so you need to find better ways. Flashcards (like anki a la @mehc012 ), repetition, using a board and map out pathways etc.