A few major culprits of attention theft in the modern world. (HAYES)
As I sit across from Nick Weston I watch him pick lightly at his lunch then explode with pent up energy.
12% of the US population’s youth is diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). ADD and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder’s (ADHD) symptoms include problems with inattentiveness, hyperactivity, difficulty filtering thoughts and acting on impulse. The modern world demands our full attention. And generally teenagers do have trouble staying attentive for long periods of time.
According to Statistic Brain, the average attention span for humans in 2012 is eight seconds. Statistic Brain also keeps track of internet use and found that less than half the pages viewed by people had more than 111 words.
Currently there is a problem with self-diagnosis with ADD and ADHD. CNN says that nearly 1 million US children have been misdiagnosed. It is easy for a child to look the part without having the disorder during the test and have no legitimate symptoms, though the tests can also miss true candidates for the disorder.Not everybody has ADD or ADHD, but attention issues are worth addressing, if allowed to become too controlling they can have a negative effect on all aspects of life.
Students often struggle with attention issues throughout the school day, but not all are medically treatable. The modern world is full of distraction, and it is difficult to remove oneself from them. So attention issues aren’t just problems for people with disorders.
Mariemont High School offers a “focus class” to help motivate students to stay on task. The students enrolled in the class are all required to follow the regular curriculum so the bell is used to help them finish homework and make up missing assignments. The classes also help with OGT test prep.
“It’s a daily thing,” said Mrs. Terri Thomas, the teacher of the class, on the students ability to focus. “Some days students will come in and work hard, others they just won’t.”
Students find themselves drawn in by the many distractions of the modern interactive world. Sitting at home it is possible to be on Facebook and Twitter, all while watching TV and listening to music, texting and talking with a family member.
Some distractions are completely unavoidable. “One of my biggest distractions is girls,” said sophomore Jake Jasper.
“I don’t know how to focus; I just don’t do it,” said one freshman girl, “I try to set my phone down to keep all the boys from texting me, so I that helps me keep on task.”
A survey of a mix of 12 second bell study hall students found that possible solutions to the problems of distraction involve leaving technology in other rooms while working and attempting isolation to keep focused.
“I go in a quiet zone,” said sophomore Bailey Geers, who is studying to join theROTC Reserve Officers Training Corp (ROTC).
Nick Weston exemplifies the struggle between attention and fun. Weston, an avid sailor, auto enthusiast, and lacrosse player, is well known for his abundance of energy. While being interviewed he grabbed the laptop and typed, “RAINBOW” and “BONOBO MONKEYS”. Weston says he often has trouble working in school and staying on task.
This does not stop him from becoming an exemplary student, as Weston refuses to let his energy hold him back.
