Focus/Concentration Problems

[JonieC]

Hello,

I am a seventeen year old distance learning student (homeschooler).
About six years ago, I realized that I was really struggling with concentration. Now, after working four CALENDAR years on high school, I currently have only eight out of twenty-one credits (the equivalent to someone in tenth grade). I keep failing almost everything, but I feel that I could do much better. I used to earn straight A's, but gradually my grades declined, and my productivity has practically come to a halt.

When I try to read (especially anything longer than a paragraph or so), my mind goes somewhere else and I cannot seem to stay focused. I have been trying very hard to concentrate, but my mind always switches to something else.

I am convinced that this is not the normal lack of focus/concentration that some of my peers tell me they occasionally experience; this seems much worse. I've tried many tips to help with focus, but none of them have worked.

Any help on this is greatly appreciated!  =D

Thank you,
Jonie

[JonieC]

Hello,

I'm self learning, but I have teachers I can call. I'll try calling them more often. Thank you for the tip!
Jonie

[solace21]

Hi,
   Do you have a tutor to help you at home, or are you self learning? If you are self learning then for your age, lack of concentration is just normal. In a class environment, the dynamics of  the class, the teacher/student interraction, makes the learning interesting and you will easily get concentration in the subject. May be if you do not want to go to school, try engaging a tutor for sometime and see the improvement yourselves.
Solace

[JonieC]

Hi ShyTeen,

Thank you for responding. =)

No, I don't think I could go to public school, now. I'd be there forever since I'm so far behind. My parents want me to get a GED and go to community college, but I'm concerned that I won't be able to concentrate on college work, either.

Thanks again,
Jonie