Losing motivation, don't know how to learn.

[EarthBees]

Hello.

I have trouble staying focused, so I watch a video to learn JS objects and my mind is already elsewhere, hence the fact that I opted for Mosh Hamedani's lessons which last between 2 and 5 minutes, that's the essential and it's perfect for my concentration.

BUT! I feel like a big shit, for example, I see "If else" I understand it and I know how to do it, on the other hand I'm going to come back to it the next day I won't know how to do it at all.. I'm going either forget { } or some other nonsense.. to tell the truth now I know it. but for example after I did an exercise with "If else"

I forgot to do: else return false / I did: else false

I have the impression of watching videos, of understanding but that my brain forgets everything, being really bad it demoralizes me.. I tell myself that I am not made for that in the end, while I like it, I like it really..

I started to take notes of each course I see, I make a brief summary, example if I saw how to define an object in JS, I make a note + example. But I have the impression that it is useless... yet I have an excellent memory but there is nothing...

I don't know at all how to learn to better retain/understand... I have trouble finding exercises accessible to beginners ++ in JS, suddenly I block, it frustrates me and I come back to learn JS 4/5 days later, and in the meantime I forgot everything..

• I have to review the videos, one by one, and really understand what it's for, rather than watching, and trying to move on to another video?
• For example, if I see a course on "Factory Function" I do an exercise myself right after to see if I understood? (I have to do a mini exercise after every video I watch to practice?

I'm lost.... don't judge me..

 

[BorkedSystem32]

Hello there, @EarthBees.

Concentration is a tricky thing: we all have different attention spans and sometimes we have certain problems with the brain that can affect our ability to concentrate(past concussions to the head, learning disabilities, etc.) So, let me offer you some tips.

1. Develop your concentration - this can be done through some form of meditation(breathing, focusing on objects, mantras, etc.), practicing mindfulness(being in the present moment), and using other kinds of tasks to sharpen your focus(for example, when you cook, focus on the ingredients: memorise what you need, check the ingredients for which is the best quality, and prepare follow instructions closely to make sure they're prepared properly). Exercise is another good one too: go for a run. When running, make a goal of where you want to run to or how long you want and that will give you a goal to work towards.
2. Make sure you eat a balanced diet and hydrate yourself regularly.
3. Manage your schedule well(you could try the pomodoro technique).

These are only tips on how to improve your concentration. You must dedicate yourself to them at first and build them up to become a part of your routine. How you do it or what you do is entirely up to you, but that dedication is the key factor.

Doing tutorials and examples is also not enough. You do exercises, which is good, but you should also try applying what you learn to your own projects. If you're stumped, there are plenty of project recommendations you can search for online or you could also visit sites like GitHub to analyse and modify the code of others and see what you can learn from those. Application is another key factor and you must apply it often and well enough that it solidifies itself in your memory.

Also, don't focus too hard to the point that you feel your brain frying. Listen, but don't listen to closely to each word, because then you become focused on listening to the words being said and not the code that is being written and explained.

I have the impression of watching videos, of understanding but that my brain forgets everything, being really bad it demoralizes me..

New knowledge is inserted into the short-term memory part of the brain and information there only lasts from a few seconds upwards to a few minutes. If you were to keep on reciting that new information in constant intervals(let's say every few hours) or by applying it to projects/exercises, you eventually push that into the long-term memory and from there, it is up to you to retain that knowledge by continuing to use it.

Do not be demoralised by forgetting things. We are human, we can only know and remember so much. Do not compare yourself to those with "photographic memories" too, because truthfully, they are people who also constantly recite the information they can recall so easily in different ways: constantly reading, constantly writing, constantly explaining, constantly applying - if they done none of this, they would not be able to recall as easily.

I don't know how much this helped you, but I hope it has! I've found motivation is a very hard thing to reclaim once lost.