Whine about School
 

Anyone here understand this?

I'm a learner by watching, observing, etc. When I read things, I have to re-read over and over at times to get the jist of what was said. This is an ADHD thing I've suffered my whole life. Since I know this about myself, I am very hard headed and will work hard to overcome this learning curve I have....I always succeed, but on the journey, I get exasperated.

I'm feeling like an idiot lately with school. I finally got to the statge where I submitted my first test. There is one part of the test where I've just not GOT IT, and my Teacher has been gently guiding me to the correct answer so I can fix what I'm not getting.

In the meantime, I've started the next session and its hard. REALLY HARD.

I'm feeling stupid....Any of you learn this way? I could use some ideas or words of encouragement.

I just resubmitted this portion of my test for the 3rd time and I sure hope she writes back that I finally got it. Add in feeling flu like today, I could just cry....how silly is that? :Sigh:

Ah gee whiz! :(

I can't imagine even trying to go back to school with my cog fog!! You are so brave to take on such a challenge and we are ALL here to support you.

I know it would be much easier for me to learn by watching because deciphering (sp) written word is difficult.

I am glad the educators are supportive of you and your needs and I am sure that because you are driven to succeed they are more motivated to help you.
:)

There are so many one here with such talent; maybe someone can make up a cheer or chant to help you feel better.

Hugs,
Janie :hug:

Oh Thanks Janie!
Sitting her waiting on pins and needles for the teach to respond. Usually takes her a day or more....So I'm gonna spend the day studying about cells....To many types to talk about!! I hate cells :( And they hate me! LOL!!!

I'm not a visual learner either - more of a do-er. I used flash cards. The very act of finding the info, writing it down and then studying the cards over and over really worked for me. Took me a long time to figure out how I study best - but I finally did. I just love when that a-ha lightbulb goes off - hope that happens soon!

If the reading is difficult, there are computer programs that can read text out to you. I think there's a way to scan text into a computer where the text can be placed into a word processing program, instead of it being a jpg file.

The thing that I figured out when I was taking classes a few years ago (and was lucky enough to have a computer in class) was taking notes on a computer.

I can type faster than I can handwrite, so I was taking notes on my computer (this also helped me in my medical transcription class)

The other thing I do, for reading text, is to type it into my computer. One, so that I can take notes, and also so that I concentrate on what the text is saying. Helps me a lot with the reading.

It's weird, I love to read, and if it's for fun, I have no problem with reading. But if it's a school thing, screw it, the reading probably wont get done unless I type it into the computer during a spare moment or few.

Sorry to hear that you're having difficulty with the studies, GJ.

With cell study, it's a matter of trying to visualize the stuff. I put a picture inside of my head and kind of turn it around, seeing it from different sides.

If the books have pics of cells, try that. Also, try to imagine how the cell works in your mind.

Are you studying cell parts, or different types of cells?

All about blood cells and so many subcatagories that I'm lost. I'm going to slow down in this session and spend some time on it. I've been told that this is the hardest session there is, so I don't feel TOO bad...just anxiouse about learning it all. Still looking to hear from my teacher about how I did on the re-exam.....

Great idea....I've been handwriting....I'll work on the typing instead. I was thinking that I should handwrite, but I've not been doing it as much as I could, and I type faster than I write as well. Thanks!!

Erin, Question: Does all this REALLY matter that much? I understand the need to be able to communicate with a doctor and understand the terms he/she uses in dictation, however; seems to me that Listening skills, Typing skills and genereal understanding of terminology is what is the most important. Is this just about educating me? I don't plan to be a doctor or scientist...just a great Transcriber :D

Thanks!!

OH YEAH!! Thanks...I'll go look!!

GJ - Don't get down on yourself. I think it's awesome that despite everything you are going back to school. You should be very proud of yourself.

As for learning the cells, when I was in nursing school I got this great anatomy coloring book. It was so helpful to me. It was definitely hands on. Of course this was pre-internet days (early 80's). LOL. You may be able to look some of it up on line.

Also when you learn a new format, type it a few times. This will help you remember the format as you are actively learning as opposed to just reading.

Highlight whatever you need to, just don't over highlight. LOL.

As for the importance, it's the background knowledge. Sometimes something that a doctor dictates doesn't click - "She has a history of prostate cancer." Based on what you learn you know she did not have prostate cancer and can take the appropriate actions based on where you work. At a lot of hospitals, they tell you to type it like they say it. Where I am working we put an underline and send a note to the doctor. Both ways the doctor legally has to correct the transcribed report.

Additionally, it is also the spelling and terminology that you are learning along with the anatomy & physiology.

Hang in there. You're doing great. :hug:

repetition, repetition, repetition.....

I would read, take notes. Go to class, take notes. Read my notes, combine them. Read again, take notes for test. And read EVERYTHING all over again for a test. Ugh....

And stupid me, I went for two advanced degrees and did it all that way! Now how dumb am I????? Managed to get through it, but drove me and my friends crazy in the process.

It's great that your prof's working with you to help you with this. Keep plugging away. ITA that you need to understand the contextual relationship of what the doc says. Sometimes they're just as dumb as us with what they say or write. ;)

Thanks so much! I've tried to get 'in' with the board at my school, but you all know how hard it is to build relationships on MB, so having all of you makes it much easier! I feel good enough to read some more now :)

I went and read Rex's response. Good news is that my doctor did all the right testing. Bad news is that his BIL was in a motorcycle accident. Those of you who know him might want to send a hug his way!!

LOL! I'd say you were smart, not stupid! I'm impressed!!!! What luck that I have such smart friends :D

No advice here because I wouldn't even begin to know anything about learning. I'm dreading the day I start helping my grandson with his homework!. I think you got some of the tips though.

I really just wanted to say KUDOS for sticking in there. I think you're really brave! :)

Blood cells are tough! Diagram them - what groups each of the cells belong to, etc. That was a huge help for me to see them and then repeatedly write them down into their groups.

Good Luck GJ's!! My niece is a med transcriptionist working for a Radiology Group. I remember when she was going to school for it. She was studying all the time. I give you so much credit for tackling school! Bravo!!!

My niece is now working from her home. They set her up there, so just has to put in so many hrs a day. She really does like it tho, so your hard work will pay off.. Take care and you vent here whenever you feel the need. :hug:

Nah, don't be. Advanced basketweaving degrees are a dime a dozen. You just gotta save up enough box tops to get them. :D

I havent finished getting my certificate for medical transcription yet...stupid MS keeps acting up everytime I want to go back to school, or my mom will have some sort of medical problem that makes it inconvenient for her for me to go to school.

I'm guessing understanding the terminology is important, especially if you work for a transcription company that works for a lot of different doctors. Those kinds of places, you would transcribe all sorts of stuff from different medical specialties.

If you're going to be working for one doctor, or one group of doctors and doing it privately, you'd probably mostly just need whatever terms would be used mostly in their particular specialty.

As soon as I can get my certificate completed, I'm hoping to work for an orthopedic doctor. I've always liked stuff that has to do with the different bones of the body. I figure I'll try to work for a doctor who does a specialty that interests me.

I wouldnt mind neurology too, but I'm a bit afraid that I'd start self-diagnosing myself with all the different neurological stuff that I'd probably be transcribing.

Hey GJ, just thought of this as I was being cognitively challenged (LOL) grammar is extremely important as well. Knowing where to put commas and not where the doc puts them or pauses is important. Punctuation can certainly change the context of the sentence.

tkrik,
Thanks, seems that is one of the most important functions of the job. I think I'll do well in that area. I have been a little comma happy...had to work on that in the beginning....only had a few in the wrong place in this test :)

I find myself questioning it all the time. I have a grammar book that I keep by my computer. On bad cognitive days it is rough to remember all the little rules. Heck, I sometimes forget how to spell simple words. LOL.

I do need to go for a refresher course. I'm thinking of doing it this summer as I already missed registration.

Congrats on the test!!! That's fantastic. More proof that you should be so proud of yourself for what you are doing.

Jeannie I was already a registered Nurse went I went to University to get myself an Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Nursing, but it had been a long while, and I was a lot older.

As I said on another post, I was about 35 when I started. I was a wife, a mother, and I also worked full time, so it was not easy.....not in any way.

What worked for me was repetition like Gazelle said. There were times I'd pace the floor repeating things over and over out loud to myself, until I got it right. I even invented little sayings using key words to help me remember better.

I was another one of those who didn't get much from lectures. I took notes, but I'd never really done that before, so mine were a bit hodge potch. I found I did better by reading things over and over again, writing it down and saying it aloud again and again.

With the cell stuff, and any other anatomy or physiology things that you can .... put them onto a diagram.......draw yourself diagrams/pictures! I had them on every door in my whole house.....bones and their names.....blood vessels and their names.....parts of the brain.....etc, etc! If it was in the human body, I had a picture drawn for it and it was on the back of some door.....even the toilet!

Every time I went in or out of a room I looked at these diagrams that I'd drawn......

It had been at least 15 years since I'd attempted to do any study of any kind when I stated at Uni. I got a High Distinction for my Anatomy exam (95%) and I assure you it was entirely due to my pictures on the walls, and repetition....

I must add quite quickly here, that this was the highest score I got on any exam, but I did get my degree.