Your working memory is probably full. We have long term memory (your birthday, multiplication tables, etc) and short term memory (where you parked the car, where to meet a friend) and then we have working memory.

Working memory is the pot of stuff in your brain that you are working on right now – history chapter(s), math class concepts, the book you are reading for pleasure…..etc. Stuff goes into this pot, and when you get full you process it to long term memory. Until you process it, it just sits there like thanksgiving dinner. You can’t take in any more – no matter how important the occasion is.

When my daughter, who has a limited amount of working memory, studies…..she can only take in so much information before she has to stop and digest it all. Frustrating but true. It doesn’t make any difference if she has 2 more problems or concepts to learn, she has to stop and let it process.

so if this sounds like you, don’t beat up on yourself for not being a better student. Give your brain some time to digest what you’ve learned and do something that takes your mind off the studying. then go back to it with fresh eyes.

now, if this is not your problem, you’ll probably need a different answer. But, memory organization is a serious thing, and it is why you should not try to cram before a test – the information just doesn’t have enough time to get into long term memory before the test….

good luck

Have you eaten? Lack of food and water can lead to not being able to concentrate. Try stocking up fitst.

Once you’re managing to take some of the book in, write down notes and revise with them. It makes it a lot easier.