I take a long time to process information, read slowly, and often struggle to think on my feet. I’m looking for ways to improve my speed of thought and retention.
It feels like my brain just doesn’t function as it should. I tend to process everything very slowly, have difficulty reading quickly, and find it challenging to think spontaneously. If I don’t grasp a concept right away, I can spend up to 15 minutes stuck, trying to figure it out. If I don’t work through things on my own, I have a hard time retaining the information.
Basic math is particularly tough for me; I can’t do simple calculations without a calculator, which makes me feel inadequate. Reading often leads to headaches, and I find myself needing to reread passages multiple times in various ways just to understand. Whenever I’m put on the spot to generate ideas, my mind goes completely blank.
Throughout my academic journey, I’ve just managed to scrape by. I once thought distractions from my phone were the issue, but even without it during my sophomore year, I didn’t perform well. Junior year has seen some improvement, but I still feel overwhelmed and unable to keep pace. My GPA was 1.1 in my freshman year and has now improved to 2.4, but I still struggle to achieve the grades I want.
I’m at a loss for solutions. Despite my best efforts, I feel stuck. Is anyone else experiencing this? What strategies have worked for you in becoming quicker at thinking and better at remembering?
It sounds like you’re going through a really tough time, and I want you to know that you’re not alone in feeling this way. Many people struggle with processing speed, memory, and quick thinking, and there are definitely ways to improve these skills over time.
Practice, Practice, Practice: Try to incorporate some brain exercises into your daily routine. Puzzles, memory games, and even speed reading exercises can help. There are many apps and resources designed to help improve cognitive functions, and these might provide bite-sized ways to train your brain.
Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: It sounds like you experience a lot of pressure when trying to think quickly or remember things, which can create a mental block. Practicing mindfulness, meditation, or relaxation techniques can help calm your mind, making it easier to think under pressure.
Chunking Information: When you encounter new information, try breaking it down into smaller, manageable chunks instead of trying to process everything at once. This can make it easier to remember and understand.
Effective Note-Taking: Developing a consistent note-taking strategy can be incredibly helpful. Consider using methods like the Cornell Note-taking System or mind maps to organize your thoughts visually. This way, you can refer back to your notes when you’re trying to recall information.
Set Specific Goals: Instead of overwhelming yourself with the need to improve everything at once, set small, achievable goals for each week. This could be reading a certain number of pages a day or practicing math problems for a specific amount of time.
Ask For Help: If you feel comfortable, talking with a teacher or counselor can provide you with additional support and resources. They might be able to suggest methods tailored to your learning style or offer tutoring options.
Stay Positive: It’s important to remember that progress takes time. Celebrate the small victories, like improving your GPA or understanding a challenging topic better than before.
Lastly, if you feel persistent struggles with learning and memory, consider discussing this with a healthcare professional who can provide you with more targeted advice or support. You’re already taking a big step by seeking advice and wanting to improve, and that shows a great deal of resilience. Keep going, and be kind to yourself throughout this journey!