Sorry to be a pain, I realise this sounds stupid, and I would put it on an academic site, but the only one I know of I know I would also get ridiculed for my illness.
I've just started my english lit and lang degree, and I love it, but in the past two weeks I've had both tonsilitis and then been hospitalised for having an episode, and I've fallen way behind on the reading.
I feel so daunted and worried about how much I have to read, my lecturers know and are supportive, but I just cant concentrate, I can't get my head to work, I can't focus, I feel really stuck with this.
I have a huge amount to read, about 3-500 pages minimum over the next few days, as well as two essays and actually having to understand what I'm reading. I'm getting more and more worried.
Can anyone give me any tips for reading? How to read? When to read (what time of dayetc)? etc? How not to lose concentration, how to make notes, how to comprehend and remember things?
I'm sorry that it's all gone to hell. Work can be overwhelming at the best of times.
Maybe if you could set yourself small targets. Maybe 10 pages then take half hour break, then another 10 pages? Smaller targets makes the whole thing less daunting.
Writing down key points can also help you absorb what you are reading.
Also (sounds really cliche) but keeping yourself hydrated and having something to eat is important.
If your hungry then you are going to lose concentration. If you are dehydrated thn you will struggle to concentrate.
Take it really slow to begin with. Switch off phones etc and just see what you can manage. There is no point in putting pressure on yourself because it's only going to make you feel worse *hugs*
Your tutors know what's happened. so long as you try to catch up I'm sure they won't penalise you for it. Maybe one of them could help you? Give you extra notes or something if you're struggling to catch up or struggling to finish an essay.
How about getting some of the books on audio book? Or finding somewhere quiet to read them aloud - that way it engages more of you and sort of forces your concentration, as it were. Underlining/highlighting and taking notes as you read is also good. Notes can be direct quotes, or what you think about something.
The essays. You could start by simply writing down everything that comes into your head about a topic. Like using a mind map, or stream of consciousness, or even starting by putting it into am image. Go with the way your mind works best.
I - and lots of others here - have studied English at uni. So if it's a book I've done, I might be able to lend a hand just giving you the general jist.
Have you had your DSA assessment yet?
Just I know at our University some students are allowed helpers who will read the literature and record it on tape so the student can then listen to it instead of reading. If not do you think reading it aloud yourself might work? Because then when reading you only have to concentrate on the words, but listening back you could focuse on the meaning and the concepts.
Sometimes I find photocopying things and highligting them useful, as well as making notes as I read. It often takes me a long time when my concentration is poor, but if I do short bursts frequently it's often quite effective.
I find that if I'm struggling to concentrate, putting some classical music on quietly in the background can help. It's relaxing without being distracting and if you choose purely instrumental stuff you won't be tempted to sing along. Also, try not to think about how much you have to read, I know it's hard but when you start panicking about work it gets harder to be rational about it.
I always get myself into a state when assessment time comes upon me, and because I spend most of my time worrying about the workload, I find it too daunting to ever start. Take it slowly and don't get angry at yourself. xxx
Thank you all so much for your replies, they've been really, really helpful. In the last 24 hours I have managed to read one book (albeit a short one - 107 small pages) and finish reading an essay on literary theory. It might not seem much, but this feels like a huge achievement for me. I just have one more book to read before lectures today, which is a lot longer, but I'm feeling hopeful.
Voldemort - I've been trying out semi classical music soundtracks, I suppose you'd call it orchestral music, as well as a bit of mozart and it has been helpful, I'm listening to it now, it's really good, thank you! :)
Heidi - For my DSA I got given a scanner and a text to voice thingy, basically I can scan a book onto my computer, have the computer read it to me, and change the font and size and colour and such - which should be really helpful, except it takes so long to load up the books. I'm probably going to try and do it with the essays, but for instance it takes me about half a day (literally 9-1pm something like that) to upload about 50 pages, and when many of the books are over 500 pages... it's just not practical. I'm trying to get in touch with the Disability Department about my exams so I might bring it up there what you mentioned and whether I can get any other help. I'm meant to have a mentor also, but that doesn't seem to have materialised yet, I am emailing people though to try and hurry things. :)
Katie - I've started doing abit of notes and underlining, and it was really helpful, thank you. I'm going to get some stationary and such tomorrow, I previously haven't done it because my handwriting is so illegible, but even if I can't read it, it helps my brain to comprehend what's happening by writing notes, thank you :)
Lou-Lou - your reply got me to start again today, and was really helpful. Thank you, it really encouraged me this morning to ht the books again. And I have found things like keeping hydrated and switching off phones really helpful, and what you said about pressure very reassuring, thank you. :)
i would ask for more time. you said your tutors are aware of what is going on for you right now so i dont see why they should have a problem with it
also if you are entitled to learner support i would speak to them asap.
for now just take your time. if you can only manage 5minutes work then do 5minutes as it is better than doing nothing at all. have breaks often and then go back toworking again
When I was at school, I found it really hard to read Pride and Prejudice for the first time, I just couldn't get to grips with it and couldn't concentrate. I read short chapter summaries online, which only took me maybe half an hour or so, and then tried to read it again and found it much easier. I think it was because I knew the basic plot of the book and I didn't have to concentrate nearly as hard to soak up the other details.
Now I'll play your ghost as my ace, whenever I'm led astray.
But I am actually good, can't help it if we're tilted.
I'm in my right place, don't be a downer.
Well done with what you have done so far! You say it doesnt seem like alot, but it is! Especially when you're having trouble reading!
Im in a similar boat with this reading malarchy. I find (silly as it sounds lol) that just reading outloud to myself helps...i also find having a break when my concentration starts to go helps too
Try to take each task one at a time, if you look at everything at once you can feel overpowered with stress.
Overviews on books can also be helpful too...sparknotes can be quite useful for that...even if uni lecturers tend to say no to it lol
Take care
xx
