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Algebra! Gah!
I have come to a conclusion.
My conclusion is: I am physically incapable of paying attention in algebra. I'm dead serious. I look DIRECTLY at the teacher, follow along in the book EXACTLY, and block out the sounds of Rick and Betsy ENTIRELY but I just CANNOT take in a word she says! When I was in regular math, I got all C's. Then I was moved to PreAlgebra and got 98's for a whole year. Now I'm in stinking algebra and starting to get C's again.
Have you ever been in a room with two people speaking a completely forigen language? You can listen and hear everyword, but it doesn't process in your brain. Welcome to math class. Another reason may be because I have it first class (8:00-9:45am) and the 13-year-old brain doesn't start fully functioning untill about 10. I'm just ALWAYS thinking about something else, usually my boyfriend, but sometime's I'll just read through class and then fail all the tests and homework. How can I get this into my brain??(sorry this was long)
~Non-Compliant with Algebra I
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Want to answer more questions in the Work & School category?
Maybe give some free advice about: School?
ADD is a type of life when older people have trouble focusing on something but not many can tell if they have it. Don't confuse it with ADHD, they're similar but not always the same.
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go to tutoring.. it help you get focused in the morning.. and it will definitaly help ur grades get better.. its not just for stupid people.. before tests and stuff lots of people come in.. but the regulars get attention first.. so u should start getting to school early. do ur hair and makeup in tha car and get to studyin maybe 30 minutest earlier with tutoring... that way ur brain is ready to learn
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~Non-Compliant with Algebra~
I think that you should ask you teacher for help. Because she can maybe get you to stay after school so she can help you. Because when a teachers students are in need of help they are always there. Believe me I did that before.
>jess*
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That sounds exactly like me. I cannot pay attention in AP Algebra Class and when I get home I'm pretty much screwed when it comes to homework. I ask my sister and my mom to help but then sometimes they get confused because it's been so long since they have learned this stuff, and they just confuse me even more about it.
Make sure you have a special notebook just for math...with a folder to put all of your worksheets in there so you can look back at the math problems for references.
I tell my parents that I cannot understand my teacher and I get so frustrated and I can't understand what the problems mean. Ask your teacher for help and if you don't want to do that, or if it doesn't work out well...then ask your teacher if you can bring a tape recorder to class. I'm sure he/she wouldnt mind. If you are put in the back of the class, like me, then ask if you could maybe be moved up closer so you could pay attention more. This would definitly help you to focus more, and it's not like all the noise from your classmates is right there between your teacher when he/she is explaining the problem, and you. That way, if you are put in front of the class, all the noise is behind you, and if anyone tries talking to you and distracts you, you will be closer to the teacher so maybe for once the teacher will witness it and ask them to be quiet.
Also, before a quiz/test, bring your book home. That way you can look at the examples they have because even though OUR books are most-likely different, that doesn't mean that not every book has examples in the back. It's really helpful, trust me.
Hope this helped. Don't forget about the tape recorder, asking your teacher for help or asking to be moved up to the front of the room. Also, remember to bring your book home between tests...and take notes only when you have time....because heres a tip: taking notes doesn't always help because if you miss something...then you'll totally get off track and you don't end up understanding anyway.
Also...bring your book home before tests because as much as its a pain, it will really help you in the long-run...
Hope I helped.
And sorry I put you and all the other readers through this long letter.
Good Luck!
P.S. TELL YOU CLASSMATES TO SHUT THE HECK UP! (hehe...even if they are your friends...they won't hate you for it)
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Is it possible to move to the front of the class and away from your friends? You may even consider changing your class schedule to have something else that early.
When do you get to school? Maybe if you hung out in the lunchroom with your math book to get in the mode of learning may help. Or think out all of those little things that distract you. For instance make a list of all the things you need to rememeber for the day so that you can free up your "brain space." Tutor are an excellant idea too.
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Hate math. HATE HATE HATE HATe HATE HATE IT.
Anyways.
Does your school offer tutors at all? Or maybe you need to go to the teacher after class and tell her you are having a lot of trouble and she will most likely understand. They went to school too at one point and I honestly know exactly what your talking about when you say that you want to pay attention but even then nothing gets through. Talk to your teacher or find a good tutor who can explain things to you in a simple (not to make you sound unintelligent, because obviously you are not. We all need things simplified once and a while).
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We all feel like that occasionally; some things are just hard to concentrate on, especially when you don't naturally find them interesting. For the sake of your education though, you've got to keep trying. You don't have to get top grades in the class, but you want to do as well as you can. Firstly, I'd advise moving away from Rick and Betsy - even if you can block them out, it's much easier to be distracted when you're sitting near friends then if you've got your own space. Secondly, have a word with your teacher if you find something especially difficult - it's easier to concentrate on what's being said in a one-on-one conversation. Finally, if you really are incompatible with mornings (as I'm pretty sure most of the world are!) then get out your algebra book when you get home. You don't necessarily have to do the whole lesson again as soon as you get home, but scanning over the book will keep it fresh in your mind, and you'll probably be suprised how much you *do* remember.
Good luck! I was never a maths person either, but you will be fine.
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Maybe try having after or before school tutoring where you can be more focused :)
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Okay I used to have the same problem and occasionaly I still drift off into my own little world. No matter what you need to stay focused all throughout your class period. When you find yourself drifting imediatley close that subject in your mind and listen to the teacher. If you still dont get it you can always ask questions afterwards!
-shay :-)
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ok well this is not going to be the best advice you will probably get but still when i was in school i HATED algebra just like you i couldnt seem to get it people next to me understood it perfectly and i found myself coping them which now i see was a bad thing, i never whent to the teacher for help even know she offered help for those who were having trouble, maybe thats what you need to do go to your teacher (maths teachers always seem to be the worst though) and ask them 4 help or you say you have it first thing in the morning so wake up early and maybe go through some notes or previous homework or go through your book or even as bad as this may seem to a couple of algebra questions just to get the brain thinking algebra or if all else fails dont plane anything for the weekends and maybe get a private maths algebra tutor dude or ask your parents to sit down with you and go through all this forigen stuff to you.
p.s dont sweat it tomuch im sure a little thing like algebra wont stop you from being a rocket scientist (or will it)
ok well if you need any help or advice on anything else please dont be afraid to ask ok i am always here. love darling
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