AAARRRGGHH! I can't concentrate, help!

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by seekinghelp, Feb 28, 2004.

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  1. seekinghelp

    seekinghelp New Member

    I don't know what's wrong with me. I'm studying for the psych GRE. I have all the materials. I like the topic. Nothing else going on in my life to distract me. I just can't concentrate. Seems that nothing is sticking based on taking mock tests. I have a tremendous amount riding on this test and I just can't seem to get it in my head, mind wanders, etc, etc. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.:confused:
     
  2. me again

    me again Well-Known Member

    Read it "slower" and take more interval-breaks.
     
  3. ncavac

    ncavac New Member

    I also am taking the test in April. I found that “as stated by me-again “slower" and take more interval-breaks. Also don’t try to cram too much information all at one sitting. I suggest that you get the Cracking the GRE Psychology Test 6th Edition by The Princeton Review. The ISBN # 0-375-76269-8. Its only 18.00 USD. It has been the best book I found that breaks down the entire test. When studying hit the Developmental and the Social Psychology section. Here is where the test hits the most. Let me know if you need any further information.

    Regards,
    :D
     
  4. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Record critical information and listen to as you drive, sleep, etc. This has worked for many in your situation, including me when I was learning Aramaic.
     
  5. tlamora

    tlamora New Member

    Record critical information and listen to as you drive, sleep, etc.

    I have found that going through the process of taping the critical information, and listening while driving to work or relaxing works expecially well when memorization of new terms or names is the key. A night of no studying and a movie might help. Good luck!

    Tom
     
  6. JoAnnP38

    JoAnnP38 Member

    And if you are not already doing this...

    :( CAUTION -- QUACK ALERT!!!

    Lay off caffeine. Studies have shown that caffeine hinders concentration after the first hour or so. Also cut your calorie intake by eating more vegetables and less bad things. Higher calories lead to thicker blood due to higher triglyceride levels. That tends to reduce oxygen to the brain. You can try to counter this by taking an aspirin or ginko biloba (but no guarantees.) Does anyone other than me find that your diet and overall health affect your ability to concentrate?

    Also, taking a break and seeing a movie is a good idea too!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 28, 2004
  7. GUNSMOKE

    GUNSMOKE New Member

    Hang in there!!!

    I have always been one of those annoying individuals who seem to never spend anytime studying and yet easily pass tests. Sorry!

    The truth of the matter is that I always study and probably many more hours than average, its just that I tend to study the way one goes about eating a huge feast, one....small......bite.....at....a.....time.

    I schedule my studies setting aside three to four seperate 30 minute sessions a day, or only one if that's all I have time for that day!!!

    The theme here is obvious, I don't put any extra pressure on myself studying because I am a super type A to start off with, and I put enough pressure on myself all the time because I function best that way, except for studying. Then, I relax.

    I'll read over material for thirty minutes, or so, taking a convenient break at a chapter or section. Then I'll take at least an hour of leisurely reflection, outside on a short walk if the weather is nice while in my mind I lecture myself with the material I've tried to absorb, and questions become obvious. I then review my material to make sure I am confident of the material before I move on.

    Most importantly, I will not schedule the test until I am completely confident with myself. That is how I maintain control of the situation for myself.

    I have just started studying for the GRE in psych. I have no idea yet when I will schedule the test, but when I do, it will be with confidence, and I will be in as much control as any of us can be as far as the outcome of the test is concerned.

    CONTROL (especially self-control) is a big issue for us type A's! So I don't fight nature, I don't let the test control me!


    I don't know if any of this will be of use to you or not, but it is what works for me.

    I too love "CRACKING THE GRE PSYCHOLOGY"
    IT IS GREAT BUT i ONLY PAID 10.99 FOR MINE AND IT IS BRAND NEW. IF YOU SHOP FOR BOOKS AT AMAZON ONLINE ALWAYS CLICK ON THE "NEW AND USED FROM...." button, its a great ay to save bucks on books. Mine is brand new just has a crease in the front cover and the 10.99 INCLUDED the shipping!

    I hope some of this is useful to you, and I sincerely wish you the greatest success on this test and in achieving all your goals!

    :)

    P.S. Please let us know how it turns out!!!
     
  8. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    I found that there were times when the best strategy was to write things down. This sometimes meant copying the text almost in it's entirety. It not only slows things down but it engages another area of you brain in the effort (btw, it's the area you'll need when taking tests). Good luck.
    Jack
     
  9. John Bear

    John Bear Senior Member

    An aside, for a small smile, on this matter. I got in a taxi in Tampa, Florida yesterday. The driver looked like a slightly more dissolute Willy Nelson. Open on the seat beside him was a book called "Living with Attention Deficit Disorder."
     
  10. seekinghelp

    seekinghelp New Member

    Yes, Mr. Bear, the thought has crossed my mind. Although I'm more inclined to believe it is the beginning of alzheimer's, or
    "part-timers" as my husband calls it when I ask him the same question 3 times over the space of 1/2 hour (paying attention only part of the time, God bless his little younger-than-me soul). Thankfully I don't look like Willy or he probably would leave me.:D
     
  11. MarkIsrael@aol.com

    [email protected] New Member

    SeekingHelp wrote:

    > I'm studying for the psych GRE. [...] Seems that
    > nothing is sticking based on taking mock tests.


    The problem may be the vast subject area covered by the GRE. Try taking studying specific topics within Psychology and taking mock tests on them. My wife found http://www.alleydog.com/psychology-quizzes.asp, and the book Abnormal Psychology (Test Yourself) by Susanna M. Perry, to be very helpful.
     
  12. seekinghelp

    seekinghelp New Member

    Thanks for the replies. Thanks for the site, Mark, I'm hitting about 80% based on the first 3 sections. Know of any other sites for practice?

    I have the book listed above, I also have supplimentary texts to give more of a background.

    I can't give up coffee, live on it, both at home and work. I'm a slug without it so that's not an option.

    Jack, I've taken to writing out concepts on cards. I agree, I may have to write out the entire text. Sheeeesh!

    I've been studying for 30-45 minutes spurts, then lay it down. I'm just having an awful time remembering the names of the researchers and connecting them to their research. Trying to develop pictures in my head, I think I'm getting old. I used to do this in nursing school, no problem.

    The area is broad and the questions are very specific. I'm just going to keep trying to get the neurons to fire correctly. They aren't cooperating right now.

    I'm going to make the assumption that practice makes perfect and hope for the best.

    I do very much appreciate the replies. Thank you. If anyone is inclined to pray for those of us on April 3 that are attempting this test, please feel free to do so.

    :D :D :D
     
  13. Jodokk

    Jodokk Member

    I took that Silly test

    Well, I have had only two psychology classes in my life. I have a decent brain, dulled from a tad of age but still kicking, but nothing to write home about. I took the obligatory beginners 101 and abnormal psych. I crammed for the two weeks before the test with the princeton guide (cracking the GRE) and took the test at UNCA with a group of seven B&M college psych kids. I finished a full twenty minutes ahead of these guys and got an 81 percentile. If you have even a cursory knowledge of development, theory, history, DSM IV biz, and research methodology; And, you have done decently on the practice tests in the books, you should do pretty well. For Cosc all you need is that 40th percentile. I got a 42 percentile on the LIT in Eng never having entered a lit class, so, that should relax you a bit.
    advice? I guess I would just keep taking the practice exams and checking through the areas in the practice book in which you have shown some weaknesses. Mine was statistics, T-squares, scatter plots, Z's percentiles, Medians, Modes, aliens, etc. Just know the terms and how they apply to research.
    There are several questions about specific theorists in each discipline but not nearly as many as the practice tests would have one believe. Know the cheif behaviorists, and other pioneers of each area, etc. and don't get too worked up. Just remember what the required score is. If you've done some study, you'll do fine.
     
  14. seekinghelp

    seekinghelp New Member

    Thanks Jodokk - So are the mock test questions harder than the real thing? I sure hope so. They give so many researcher questions, it seems odd because I would think the content is more important than who discovered something. Anyway, I will take your advise and just keep studying.
     
  15. MarkIsrael@aol.com

    [email protected] New Member

    > So are the mock test questions harder than the real thing?

    Third-party mock tests may be harder than the real thing, easier than the real thing, off-topic, with wrong answers, or with badly formulated questions.

    How are you doing on the actual past GRE exam and the additional actual exam questions at http://ftp.ets.org/pub/gre/Psychology.pdf? ETS changes the booklet every few years, so there is an additional actual exam in each earlier edition of ETS's booklet. You can look for the earlier editions on eBay or http://used.addall.com, or borrow them by interlibrary loan.
     
  16. MarkIsrael@aol.com

    [email protected] New Member

    Wait a minute: Charter Oak? So you only have to score at the 40th percentile? No biggie.
     
  17. seekinghelp

    seekinghelp New Member

    I may be changing my mind about COSC and may go with Excelsior, so I'd like to hit over 80th.
     
  18. Jodokk

    Jodokk Member

    Different can of worms

    If you are going for the whole shebang at Excelsior. You really need to know the theorists and as much about the clinical stuff as possible, especially research.
    Incidentally, I found the Princeton guide very close to the mark.
    Good luck.
     

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