You're right in that no one can turn "genius" over night. Perhaps you have not found your most effective learning style. Some students learn best by reading, others by hearing lectures, and yet others by writing down notes. A suggestion for you to try; see if you can find out what kind of learner you are. Do you absorb best when you hear information? What about seeing it written down? What about if you write it down yourself, as you do when taking notes? Or better yet, what about associating "doodles" with your information? For instance, do you doodle when you think, or listen to lectures? If so, this might be the most effective path for you to choose. Use the "chunking" method of memorization; that is, associate information in groups and relate it to something else; a picture, a sound, a memory. For instance; the best way to remember that a verb describes an action is to associate the word "verb" with the word "vibrate," which is motion. Thus, verb=vibrate=motion, leading you to remember that a verb=motion.
What about music? Do you study best when listening to music? Learning style studies have shown that we best remember information when the environment is very close to that which it was when the information entered out brains. For instance, if you listen to music when you study, you should try to listen to the same music when you take your tests (if possible).
What about movement? Try walking around, eating, chewing gum, or playing with a "koosh-ball" or other object when you study. Likewise, try to repeat this behavior when you take your tests.
Try some of these things while you work; some will help you, others won't. Don't get discouraged quickly if you don't find your "magic button." Everyone has it, but some people go their whole lives not knowing what works for them.
In regards to learning the language, English is one of the most difficult languages to master; you won't get it overnight, and the only way you're going to improve is to keep working with it. I took three years of German and didn't have a full grasp of it until I went to Germany and was immersed in it; it really didn't have meaning until I was "living" it. That's the secret to learning a language; "living" it. Academic writing is even more difficult because it is so strict and formal; you really do have to mean exactly what you are saying so that there is very little room for "creative interpretation." Again, the only way to get more familiar with it is to jump right in.
As to your professor's lack of tact with you and accusing you of not doing the work, some people are just jerks, including professors. One thing that is important to do is to take a step back and ask yourself if this person did this because they believe you are capable of great things, and they are making things "more difficult" for you because they expect more? Perhaps your instructor thinks that "tough love" will push you to work harder, or that you are on the cusp of something profound? That is more often than not the stance many professors take. Take a step back and try really hard not to take it personally.
Regards,
Gloria
Moderator, EssayForum.com
Gloria, EssayForum.com
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