Study Techniques

This may be a long shot, but have you heard anything about Irlen Syndrome? My sister had trouble focusing on reading all her life and now has a daughter with the same problem. They both get headaches when they read and it makes it difficult for them to focus. They have both been diagnosed with Irlen Syndrome and have been able to make a few simple changes that have helped them immensely. This is rarely diagnosed and is often mistaken for ADD, or some form of it. Anyway, like I said, it may be a long shot but if this is a problem he suffers from, there are a lot of simple solutions to it. This website gives some great information and can help you see if it sounds like what he's struggling with: http://irlen.com/index.php.
Best of luck with whatever helps him!

I decided once that I would study for 18 CLEP Credits which is 3 exams that each take about 3 hours long covering a total of 6 freshman level college courses. I did this in 7 weeks, took all the tests and passed. It was a blast.

What I did was get the names of several major college textbook publishers. I would then find their websites and poke through their books that were on topic. I would go to the section online where students get extra help by studying flashcards, take extra quizzes etc. I'd do all I could do there and keep notes. From there I'd know what to research while online. Then I'd take short articles and such and read them outloud into a personal tape recorder. I filled tape after tape.

Then I'd take the tapes out on walks. I know that someone working and going to school doesn't feel they have time for walks. But he could listen while driving and maybe even listen while falling asleep and while shaving in the morning etc. But if he does find time to sneak in some workouts of some kind this method would help. Even if he doesn't listen back more than once, the act of creating the tapes, taking the notes and doing extra research online is very active. It will help to make more of the info to stick the first time through.

Suzi

Hey there T.!
Ugh! College... I remember those days and wouldn't go back for anything! Tough, Tough, Tough... I had that same problem when I was in school. Part of it is just being tired. My solution was given to me by my mother who works with high school kids with disabilities. I know your son isn't disabled in anyway but this technique helped those who had a hard time focusing. Go to office depot or where ever and get the overhead projector film that you write on. They make them that are blue. Have your guy place that over whatever he is reading. I know this sounds kooky but for some reason the color blue has a calming effect and students are able to concentrate and focus. When my mom suggested that to me I thought she had lost her mind but when I tried it I found that it did work. I have a neighbor boy who has the hardest time comprehending what he just read and the blue film is working wonders for him. I also play some relaxation music really soft in the background. It's worth a shot. Tell him not to worry. This (college and studying) too shall pass.

Sincerely,
K.

Hello,

WHen I first read you question ny first thought is your son on a good nutrtional supplement. I am a represenative with a
Health & Wellness Company. I found a testimonal from one of our customers that may have a some information that may help you.

If you like to get more information. 1-866-852-0631 this is my office phone. If I am not available you will here a short message about my compay but you can just leave a message there and I will call you back.

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Category: Healthy Body - ADD and ADHD
Submitted by: Lisa Marie Doherty

LIVING WITH ADHD WITHOUT DRUGS
I was diagnosed with a moderate case of ADHD when I was about 36 years old. I was treated by one of the founding father's of this physical disorder, Dr. Paul F. Wender, who was very well respected and effective at treating this disorder. However, his only approach was to treat me with amphetamines such as Concerta and Ritalin. After getting on those drugs my blood pressure increased so I had to take high blood pressure medication. We tried it for about one year with only one result - I could read books without distractions. We decided it wasn't having the dramatic affect we sought to improve my life, so he stopped treating me and advised the drugs are only effective in 60% of the cases. It was not worth the dangerous side affects, and it was inconvenient to be constantly at the drugstore. In 2004 I finally listened to enough product stories I decided to treat myself with Melaleuca's products. I now take Daily For Life to assure I not only have the vitamins I require, but I also have the Phytomega that is so important for tissue connectivity. I take that along with a therapeutic dosage of ProvexPlus which is 1 gel capsule for every 25 pounds of body weight. I also take Luminex during periods of depression. A dramatic change in my behavior occurred. My home is less cluttered, my bills are paid on time, and I have much better memory retention and ability to focus, and enjoy reading. I will not hesitate to treat my children with the same if necessary and hold a strong belief that these products are what has made me more healed. Thank you, again, Melaleuca!
21 Sep 2005 02:31:02 PM

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Please consult with a physician before using any health-related products, including those sold by Melaleuca.

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I am the exact same way. I am looking for the answer too. Hope to figure out what to do.

Make sure you are letting him be responsible for his education. Advise him to go to the study center at his college. Most colleges offer study skill classes for free. You might also encourage him to start a study group in his most difficult classes. REmember, he is an adult now and needs to be doing this on his own. Your job is to be there if he asks for advice.

You don't say where this child is when "he" is studying or what else is going on during this time. so the first thing to see about is what, where, who, and when is all this happening-and since he is a college student I think he should be held responsible for all his actions and the results that will come-not you. But I appreciate your concerns Mom-let him learn now what will be...

T.,
I agree with Lori when she says take in the material more than once, especially with reading out loud. Also, I just learned a Bible Study technique that's new to me; it might help as well. When you read a section of material, pick out the most important words by choosing a symbol for them and drawing that symbol whenever you come to that word. For example, if I'm reading about the way the brain works, I would choose a little cloud shape (or something that resembles "thought") and draw that above every word that had anything to do with thoughts (brain, mind, thought, think, etc.)
I hope that helps your student!

When I was taking a literature class in college, we would have to read A LOT!!! Lots of us were finding it difficult because we were reading the words on the page but they were just words- we couldn't put the words together to get anything out of the story. Our professor was a very smart man- he told us that our eyes needed to be trained to read, as silly as that may sound. The more we read, the faster our eyes move. He said that when we watch TV, our eyes don't have to move back and forth- because basically all you do when you watch TV is stare at it, right? Well when we read, our eyes have to move left to right and the more we read, the more "exercise" our eyes get. It also will help your reading per minute/ hour. I also found that when I relate things to something in my life, I have an easier time remembering it and it makes studying/ reading more fun. I also have to reread things sometimes if I know that I just read "words" and I didn't get anything out of it.

College can be difficult at times, but you just have to hang in there! I was also working and driving 45 miles one way for school, plus having to leave my son (he was just a baby at the time). The rewards in the end will make it all worth it. I'll bet it's easier for your son- he probably doesn't have kids! Hope that helps!

To some extent we all do, but maybe he has a mild learning disability? You could have him evaluated to see whether there are medicines or techniques that would help him. I'm mildly ADD and wasn't diagnosed until late life. I was a good student without help and before I knew, but it did take me twice as long as other people. To commit things to memory, I employ multiple senses and use rote techniques. I type an outline while reading the material, then I make note cards by hand from that outline, and I follow that with repeatedly quizzing myself from the notecards. After reading, writing, saying/hearing the material it generally would sink in. Not sure what his major is or how much he needs to memorize but being quizzed by someone else or writing out practice answers also helps to learn to recall under test conditions and timing constraints. I used all these techniques while working full time and going to school full time, so even though time consuming it is possble (though difficult). I agree with the previous poster that exercise is also helpful to clear the mind and aid focus ability. Good luck!

With all the demands on his time, I would first look at his health. Is he eating enough nutritious food, sleeping enough, and getting exercise? I know that it is hard to do all those things while working full time and taking a full course load. It's only been a few years since I did it. If he's not feeling healthy, then his ability to study will be impacted. After I figuered that out I found that I was able to study best when I packed up all of my study materials and went to a quiet corner in the library, preferably one where I could turn towards an empty wall or with a high window that let in some sun, but that I couldn't gaze out. I was constantly finding things that seemed more interesting than studying, so I had to find an environment that removed all of those distractions. Sometimes it helped to take headphones and listen to quiet instrumental music.

I am a full time college student and mother of 2. What I do to study is read the bold print first, then go back through and read the writing under each bold title. I also take notes as I go. I would also recommend that he speaks with a school academic counselor who may be able to recommend a good study skills tutor or class. I took a study skills class my first semester back, it was only 1 credit hour and really helped. It did not add any homework and the other classes I was taking were worked in to the study skills.

Hi sweetie,
Ignore this Sara chick. Read up on both web sites. dyslexia.com or Irlen syndrom which I am about to do.

I never heard of it but it sounds interesting. Remember your son's reading habits/trouble in high school.

dyslexia just means trouble with language, speech,reading and writing language including problems with numbers and also short term memory. In most cases they have a more than adverage IQ but seldemly will it show on an evaluation because their weaknesses pull their scores down. It's hard to detect because not all dyslexics have trouble reading or writing and also, their memory might also be quite good.

Often it's mistakened for ADD ADHD. I donot beleive this exist however most doctors have people in Missouri popping every conceivable pill because of it. This is solely just my oppinion so not to offend anyone. When they come out with a medical test for ADHD let me know.

So not to seem paranoid but usually there is a larger problem behind someone's focused reading problems even as old as someone in college. The vocabulary does get much harder, good luck to you

Have him see a professional ASAP. His college should have some sort of assistance they can provide. I say ASAP because he doesn't have time to putz around and try a bunch of different suggestions. He needs to be evaluated for ANY learning disabilities and/or learn strategies that will help him NOW. You would be surprise how many students discover problems at this age. They have been able to adapt up until college, but when the workload cranks up, their adaptions don't work any more.

It may just be as simple as him being too tired to focus, but find out.

T.,
I feel his pain. I work full-time and go to school full-time as well as being a mom to a 4 year old whom I love spending time with.
There are a lot of sacrifices that need to be made when your schedule is as demanding as his and if his focus in his priorities are not a concern (ie. he's not choosing to hang out with the guys instead of studying) then it just might be that he has to work harder than most on absorbing the materials.
I have a hard time focusing on material I find uninteresting or even boring and in order to focus I have to consume it in 3 different ways. Read the material the first time, then read it out loud while I record myself, then listen to the recording of the same material. Studies show that if you ingest something 3 times, it will begin to sink in.
I know this seems like a lot of work, but to me school is so important (I wish I could have felt this way right after high school) and your grades will be with you forever so make the best grade you can especially if he is unclear as to what he wants to major in. Down the road if he wants to major in something that is extremely competitive he will have to have a competitive application with a high GPA to go along with it.
Also, a good way for him to tell how much he knows about a given subject is to try to explain it to someone. Maybe he should gather a few classmates and do a study group. Or if he lives at home with you maybe during dinner time or any other time you get together, ask him to explain the subject matter to you. My husband is usually my ears when I do this and afterwards I'm aware of how much I do or don't know.

Good luck hard work does really pay off in the end.

He probably needs 3 things: more sleep, more sleep, and more sleep. The brain continues growing until about age 23ish. He really needs to recharge with more than just 5 hours (the average amount full time college students get who are also working full time jobs). It's no surprise that he can't focus/comprehend, esp. if it's boring to him.

He has to choose between: working full time with a low GPA and no sleep; or.......cutting some work hours or lightening his course load so he won't be a zombie and maybe his GPA won't be down the drain. Might be a tough call, good luck!
Angie