So I’m in a position right now where I need to listen to and retain a large volume of lecture material in a relatively short period of time.
I’m a bit ADD and also a bit anxious. I’ve found that closing my eyes while listening at least helps me listen for longer periods without distraction. There are some visuals in the lecture (it’s a video, not an audio recording), but he usually fully explains the visuals.
Does anyone have any personal experience with learning like this? Does anyone know of any studies that have been done on information retention with eyes closed vs. eyes open?
When listening to music, I often close my eyes to block out distractions and focus on the sound. No idea if this has any scientific validity.
Sounds like a plan. I also try to have something in my hands to fidget with. I usually doodle, play with m &m’s, fold paper, ext. Are you taking notes? Are notes provided? If notes are provided, I use colored pencils to mark the notes.
Also, if you can, pace. If its a large area and most people won’t be bothered, I will often sit in back and every now and then I will get up and pace.
Of course it always helps to give a heads up to the lecturer so he/she knows whats going on.
It works for me, too, but I’ll usually just look at the floor when I need to concentrate on whatever someone is telling me. It doesn’t work quite as well, but people seem to mind it less.
I kept my eyes closed for pretty much an entire year of Spanish in junior high. Eventually the teacher understood that I was still paying attention, and stopped calling on me so much. Straight A’s that year.
I often have the exact opposite problem. If I listen to something with my eyes closed, and then I open them - it’s like all that stuff I heard is compartmentalized in a dream-like state, and I cannot recall specifics. It’s like closing my eyes short circuits my short term conscious memory.
So - it wouldn’t work for me 