So, I'm in the middle of my testweek and I just can't motivate to study. It seems that I would do anything to just not learn. I watch big bang theory season 1 (oh yeah) I watch programs on tv that i dont even like and I'm watching bw om my itouch. Anybody have any advice? I just cant just sit down put some classical music on and study. Tomorrow I have economics and i havent learned one bit. Its gonna be real fun...

ps: example of adivce I dont want: Just learn dude its not that hard.

myabe my mindset is wrong or something. I just dont have motivation and i feel al little bit depressed. I always had a lack of concentration but nowadays its gotten real worse... Help!

stafu

Australia1196 Posts

October 07 2010 13:42 GMT

Don't be so hard on yourself. Instead of depriving yourself from all the things you enjoy doing outside of school, tell yourself "Okay, I'm going to play for 2 hours and then study for 3." or something similar.

Also, have the end in sight. Think about when it will all be over and how much better you'll feel at that point if you've tried your hardest. You might need to dedicate yourself for a while, but keep in mind that it's not endless and will be over soon.

aiyeeta

United States199 Posts

October 07 2010 13:44 GMT

Best thing I've found is to put myself in a different environment. I can't get much work done at home, and what work I get done is sloppy. So I just use the library or some sort of an office environment since there's less distractions and I'm less likely to distract others. That's what focuses me in on my homework when I'm totally unmotivated.

Good luck, I know how frustrating that can be

deepfield1

United States373 Posts

October 07 2010 13:53 GMT

COFFEE

or adderall if you have those kind of connections

Nytefish

United Kingdom4282 Posts

October 07 2010 13:56 GMT

I use to go to the library with my more studious friends to do work. We'd spend practically the entire time working in silence but it helped a lot.

Also, pace yourself, I'm posting this while taking a break from reading lecture notes.

KTF_CloaK

Netherlands1338 Posts

October 07 2010 14:20 GMT

thx guys, but the thing is there is no library or study place near my home and when i say to myself: now you are going to do this for 2 hours and then learn i dont have the motivation to quit so i just dotn learn...

konadora

Singapore66366 Posts

October 07 2010 14:21 GMT

be like me, take your ipod, go to a nearby macs/coffee bean/starbucks and study. turn off your phone and wifi.

if you are at home, you will NEVER study. i can GUARANTEE you that.

Inkarnate

Canada840 Posts

October 07 2010 14:22 GMT

Go to a place where other people are studying, turn off your phone and iPod. Being around other people studying will make you want to study.

Nytefish

United Kingdom4282 Posts

October 07 2010 14:29 GMT

Yeah you really have to move yourself away from your computer/TV/comfortable room. Any public place with somewhere to sit is fine.

If you can't be focused for 2 hours, just get a solid 15 minutes in, ogle some girls for 5 minutes, do another 15 minutes and eventually you'll just naturally study for longer and longer. Don't peer at your watch every 2 minutes.

leftykill

United States120 Posts

October 07 2010 14:58 GMT

#10

Get in a habit of always studying at a certain time and certain place. This way you will get used to studying at this place and at this time. If you are in a routine you will be used to doing it over and over again. The hard part is getting used to changing your routine around.

crazeman

664 Posts

October 07 2010 15:01 GMT

#11

When I studied for test/finals week back in college, I always need a remote spot to study in, so I always went to the library's quiet room (people in there will murder you if you make any noises) or some studying room near my dorm that nobody ever goes to. There's too much temptation back in my room. My roommates would always bug me for "1 game of DotA" that would last 8 hour, or I'll start studying for 10 minutes and all of a sudden my bed starts to feel mighty inviting/tempting so I'd fall asleep.

Also on finals week, I have some crazy regimen where I'd eat nothing for the entire day (at least 16-24 hours) when I study. Taking a food break by heading to the dining hall makes me tempted to go back to my room... plus soda + food usually makes me incredibly sleepy (the "Itis"). Not suggesting you do this since its not very healthy but I only do this for finals since finals worth too much for me to be slacking.

but i swear any food I ate at the end of the day was the most delicous food that I ever had

ellerina

Philippines452 Posts

October 07 2010 15:25 GMT

#12

When I was in college, I found that studying with other people helped a whole ton. That way, you can ask questions about the topics you don't get, bounce ideas off each other, solve problems together, quiz each other, and share notes. Of course, you have to be sure that they really want to study and won't spend the whole time playing games on their laptops or something. I've studied/crammed with friends in their houses, rooms, dorms, etc, and it IS possible to get work done, but if you feel like it will be too much of a temptation, just go to the study area/library/coffee shop.

Rewarding yourself helps too, like playing flash games or something for 15 minutes for every chapter or set of problems you finish.

Also, if you're studying in your house or room, try to not study near your bed, as it can magically attract you. Before you know it it's morning, your books and notes are lying beside you/on your desk, and you're not even 1/3 done yet. Some people have the discipline to take quick 15 minute naps or set their alarm clocks really early and then wake up and finish studying. Sadly, I'm not one of them.

Wolf

Korea (South)3290 Posts

October 07 2010 15:27 GMT

#13

Set goals for yourself, and try to get a schedule for what times you'll study. Don't make it too demanding. That's how it is for me, anyways.

HeadhunteR

Argentina1258 Posts

October 07 2010 17:22 GMT

#14

study with other people and throw away your cpu go to a place that doesn't have Internet and turn off your phone.

the more you study with other people the less time you have to spend studying.
And economics aint that bad dude suck it up when you have to study theology II with a priest as a teacher come and ask me how to stay motivated.

the only way to change your mindset is to believe that the exam is the most important thing you have to do and dont care about anything dont be afraid of the exam think that you are going to ace that shit despite you feel its impossible.

KTF_CloaK

Netherlands1338 Posts

October 07 2010 20:04 GMT

#15

I have taken your advice guys, i went to the library, sat there and studied for like 2 hours and went home and suddenly I had motivation :D now im taking a break and said to myself, for every goal you set for yourself, like reading and making question with a chapter you can watch a big bang episode lol. Its a LOT so im gonna have to put an all-nighter... thx for all the advice!