How can people self-study material in solitude all the time?

[Eclair_de_XII]

For the past few weeks, I have been trying to review the math courses I've taken over past two years. All I can really do, though, is just read over the chapters. I acknowledge that the only way to actually (re)learn the material is to do the problems. I always tell myself that I can do it in my head and be done with it, but that's just the laziness talking on my part. But there's something else that makes studying on my own hard--studying alone. I have never been good at studying alone. The thought of it just makes me nervous and unwilling to grab a pencil and paper. I don't know why; it just does. It was okay when I was still in school and studying in the undergraduate lounge where everyone else was studying. But now, I cannot bring myself to concentrate on the material. And now that I've left school, I've no one to study with. I don't know if I can continue focusing at this rate. I'm just so very terrible at studying on my own; the solitude unnerves me far too much.

 

[symbolipoint]

Good! You have fewer distractions and fewer interruptions. If you at least have a chance to use some of what you study on-your-own in your job, then you have some possible external motivation.

 

[Mary Conrads Sanburn]

Just a suggestion dear Eclair_de_XII ~ maybe you could start your day with a healthy meal and some exercise prior to your studying. Learn to have happy thoughts throughout the day.

 

[vela]

For the past few weeks, I have been trying to review the math courses I've taken over past two years. All I can really do, though, is just read over the chapters. I acknowledge that the only way to actually (re)learn the material is to do the problems. I always tell myself that I can do it in my head and be done with it, but that's just the laziness talking on my part.

I don't know if it's fair to characterize that as laziness. Personally, I find the idea of slogging through a textbook quite boring. I think you need to cut yourself a break and consider the possibility that this isn't a good method for you at this point to review the material.

But there's something else that makes studying on my own hard--studying alone. I have never been good at studying alone. The thought of it just makes me nervous and unwilling to grab a pencil and paper. I don't know why; it just does. It was okay when I was still in school and studying in the undergraduate lounge where everyone else was studying. But now, I cannot bring myself to concentrate on the material. And now that I've left school, I've no one to study with. I don't know if I can continue focusing at this rate. I'm just so very terrible at studying on my own; the solitude unnerves me far too much.

Your procrastination and your trouble concentrating indicate to me that you simply don't want to do what you had planned to do. There's no shame in admitting that your initial plan didn't work out you thought it would. Just find a different way to achieve your goals.

For example, you could spend time helping students who post here with homework questions. You'll be motivated to actually work out the problem to make sure you don't tell someone the wrong thing. Some of the material you'll know off of the top of your head. Other stuff you may need to review before posting. Having a reason like "I need to understand this concept well so I can explain it" instead of "I should be studying this" can make all the difference in the world when reading a textbook.

 

[romsofia]

The problem with "restudying" is that you'll encounter material you already know (especially from the same textbook), and gloss over it because it is too familiar to you. It's hard for me as well, because at times I don't know what I don't know so I'll read a chapter from a book from a previous course and it'll all come back to me, but superficially. As you stated, you must do the problems. The solutions: Take 30 minutes a day, and just do problems! It's only 30 minutes, and once you get into the groove, you can increase the time, or keep it at 30 minutes a day.Finding the right textbook is important, especially if you're restudying things you already know. Look for textbooks that give you a new "insight" into something. Also, youtube videos! Since we're in the information age, there is an abundance of videos out there to listen to, instead of reading. Or do both, it's your life.

 

[Klystron]

If solitude interferes with your study plan, go to public places conducive to reading such as libraries, parks, museums or coffee houses. Find a place and time of day with enough people to suit your mood where you can still concentrate on your subject.

 

[symbolipoint]

If you exercise, consider joining a gym where you can prop textbooks on the equipment while working out. This plan also increases the probability of meeting future study buddies.

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[Dr. Courtney]

Discipline - the ability to do things even when we'd prefer not to is what separates successful scientists from all the wannabees.

Welcome to the world of wannabees. You're almost there.

 

[Vanadium 50]

You have asked us some variation of this question many times. You get the same advice with slight variations. Every time. And yet here we go, round and round again.

Break the cycle!