Is my brain full?

Zombot

I'm 23 years old even though I feel like I'm around 30, and I'm in my junior year of college.
The problem facing me is that it feels as if my brain is full and that I'm not learning anything new.

I'm taking four classes this semester, one of which is a theatre class so not really much academic learning going on in there. However, the other three I can't seem to retain anything that has been discussed in class, what I read in the books, or the homework that I do.

Is this unique or has this happened to other people?

Nibble

How do you study? How do you take notes?

Zombot

I take notes like they are presented to me, or by whatever the teacher is saying.
And I study by reviewing the notes and reading the books like I have been doing my entire life.

Krahsh

It sounds more like you've had your fill of what you're studying.
This may sound silly but try to do something completely unrelated that still engages your mind.
I would say stop and do something mindless for about half an hour to an hour but the way you described your problem it sounded more long term.

I picked up pottery to help keep me sane and balanced a while back. It may sound like something more relaxing (and it is) than helpful but it's a craft that demands attention to detail. Like the consistency of the clay you’re working with, the thickness of the pot you’re throwing, etc.

You could always pick up brain age and big brain academy, :P

Janson

If there's one thing I've learned it's that you can always guarantee that someone else has felt the same way you have. Yes, I felt like this in my final year of university. I just couldn't seem to retain anything and as a result my motivation and grades dropped sharply.

Are there any outside circumstances affecting you? Anything getting you down?

Maybe it's time for a change of technique, too. I found I absorbed things a little better when I was writing them down, not reading, so I wrote repetitively. And do some exercise/get some fresh air/play a while to refresh/clear your mind. It really can help sometimes.

Zombot

The only outside circumstances that would be affecting me is that I've moved four states away to attend university and I don't know anyone up here but my cousin.

And screw Brain Age! It said I was a caveman!

Janson

Zombot wrote: »

The only outside circumstances that would be affecting me is that I've moved four states away to attend university and I don't know anyone up here but my cousin.

This may have a bigger effect than you realise. I had some extraneous circumstances that at the time didn't seem so bad but in retrospect had me pretty upset and unable to concentrate. I just didn't realise how much it was affecting me until those circumstances changed for the better.

What about a study group? Any of those exist? Could get you talking to/meeting new people, and you can swap and compare notes. Study with two of my friends got me through the exams.

Zombot

Well I do talk to people, and I'm part of the running club, it's just that I seem to have forgotten how to take that extra step and make friends.