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Boredom / frustration with subjects

stranger

For the third time, I am attempting to take GCSE English. I hate it and always have done. Partly because I don't "get" poetry or Shakespeare. I am happy to read; but usually end up reading non-fiction and do read the odd fiction book - but that is rare.

Part of my problem is, that it just doesn't interest me. I was ok with the presentation I had to do; but English just doesn't interest me in the slightest. I have a feeling that my tutor has worked this out, given my attendance (although, one was due to a hospital appointment and the effects of the medication meaning that I couldn't focus on anything) and my reluctance to join in with discussions.

How do people manage to stick with subjects they don't like? It has always been this way for me. Would much rather (to mum's horror - she's my PA for uni) do maths - much easier and more interesting.

  • It is forty years since I was last in a similar situation with first year English Literature at University, but I've had plenty of similar situations since with things I need to engage with but cannot.

    When I cannot absorb something by straight reading I analyse it. Break it into themes. Analyse whether the themes work or not and whether they overlap. I make a scientific analysis of it in ways I am happy with - lists, diagrams, etc.

    This lacks the feeling and emotion of the text, but to be honest, what they are looking for is proof that you have read and understood the subject matter. So if you can demonstrate familiarity and grasp of the subject matter, the fact that you haven't buzzed with excitement about the story line probably wont be at issue.

    Another way is to look for critique books. When I was at school there was a book called I think "Wheel of Fire" which contained critical discussions of curriculum literature. They are often aimed at A Level or undergraduate, but they helped me yto explore literature by being analytical instead of having to get emotionally engaged.

    My biggest problem in later life was books, reports etc where I could never seem to get past page 2 for falling asleep, or I found I had to get another book underpinning that one, which meant getting another book underpinning that, so I never got any feel for the subject. My resolution has always  been break down, list, analyse, draw spider diagrams and flow charts etc. 

  • Hi, probably wont help much but have you tried researching the fiction books you study for hidden facts. Most fiction has an element of truth to it. If you try to look for the facts it might engage you with the books.

    For example a fiction about something happening on a small island is usually a real island with real facts and you can spot them when you research the names mentioned. The facts about the landscape and plants and food that they eat are generaly true.

    My son struggled with this too, especialy poetry, when it came to the exams you do have a bit of choice in the questions you answer so he avoided poetry and stories that were too fictional for him to cope with. He also tried very different styles of fiction untill he found things that did appeal to him, he likes stories like the percy jackson series about greek demi gods. He looked into the greek gods and mythology in a factual based way and then he could understand the different stories.

    dont know if this will help you but good luck with it.

    sam

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