Application of tactics to games

I started learning chess in January and my tactics rating has improved pretty well. Recently, though, I’ve stopped being able to see solutions as easily. My rating topped out at 2534 and is plummeting. Some of this is just the difficulty of puzzles, but it’s to the point now where even after looking at the solution for a while I don’t always understand the move.

Additionally, I find it very difficult to get into correct positions or see possible tactics when I play the computer. The best I’ve been able to beat is the 1400 rated model.

Is it possible I’m just chessed out and need a break? Should I spend more time on lessons so I can put a name to the tactic? Should I just play real people?

Any advice would be welcome.

Your puzzle rating is tremendously well for your rapid . For most people it's usually a 600-700 point difference between their chess and tactic ratings . I am assuming you haven't played real people for quite some time now and that 720 rating may not be indicative of what your real strength is . It's probably a lot higher than that I guess . 

I would definitely encourage you to play real people instead of the bots . A computer isn't going to provide you with a good simulation of how games work at a certain rating range . The computer you play at 1400 is just stockfish programmed to make X number of blunders per game or say per 20 moves . And as you increase the bot's rating , that X is going to decrease as well .

Also by the way , it's not a surprising phenomenon to be able to do extremely well in tactics but fail to see them during games . You see when you are solving a puzzle , your brain already knows you need to look for something . During a real game you don't know when to search for a tactic , and your mind is already preoccupied with other details and plans . 

I haven’t played real people often, at all. I’ll give that a shot. Is it worthwhile to study openings at this point? I often feel like I’m guessing in the openings, and just following the standard rules of development. I’m unsure of the reasoning behind openings so sometimes the correct response to a move is beyond my knowledge.

You don’t need openings at 700!