Okay, simply put. I cannot study EVER. This has been a problem with me ever since junior high and it has dragged onto university. The times I ever do study is right before an exam or do a project right before the day it was due. I am a huge procrastinator and I simply just avoid studying in general.
When I put myself in the study mindset I sit down and attempt to do my work and then 5 minutes later my mind gets distracted on something else/I lose concentration. Even in class when I try to pay attention my mind wanders off and I end up missing 2-3 minutes of critical information. I'm tired of this happening and I really need to learn new study habits that will let me stay on task. In classes I tend to just write down the teacher is writing without understanding the material and even when I do try to put my effort down to learning I just end up daydreaming again. At home I have never just sat down and studied I try to study but in the end I ALWAYS end up doing something else and I tend to put entertainment as a priority over studies.
When I get distracted in class it in turn screws me over while doing homework as well which even demotivated me even further to do my work as Im stuck in the mind set of frustration and laziness as well. Even in class I can't help but end up pulling out my smartphone and going through websites and I get distracted. I even know my self that this is an important time in my life but I still cannot muster the motivation to do anything. I literally have no motivation at all when it comes to studying. One of my worst scenarios was when I studied for my ECON final on the day of the exam (2-3AM) and even then that lasted for about 3 hours filled with distractions and I really had no idea how much studying I actually got done.
When class ends all I think about is going home and relaxing and I try to tell myself that I will study at home but that ends up becoming fooling around and telling myself to study tomorrow at school but even at school I end up going on my laptop and become heavily distracted/demotivated and that ends up repeating itself.
Is there anyone that has been in this situation and if so how did you get out of it??
I was like that all throughout my schooling, all the way through University (undergrad took me 6.5 years to finish).
I think the main reason I procrastinated so much was a fear of failure. I was always praised as a young kid because I was naturally intelligent and learned really quickly. I destroyed other kids in school so much that I got to a point where I felt totally isolated and different. I felt like I was different to the extent that I didn't have to work to succeed and so just stopped working at school, still doing great. Then as the years went by it turns out that education and life in general rewards those who put in the effort and work (regardless, mostly, of their inherent intelligence).
I realized this fact so late (almost finished with uni). The kids I used to wreck were now surpassing me in marketable skills and grades (though not in standardized test scores) and in order to truly compete with them I'd have to put effort in. Now, because I had this superiority complex due to getting by so easily without trying, I was subconsciously afraid of putting forth effort and then possibly being simply mediocre. So, my ego decided it was best to be mediocre than to take the risk of losing my superiority complex.
ANYWAYS, that was just me. Perhaps you can relate, perhaps not. I felt like if you could then it was worth a shot.
As for advice now:
Evaluate your interests and goals. If your goal is to graduate university and you have nothing on your mind for after that, then just do the bare minimum and get your degree. Just don't beat yourself up over your current personality or your other interests. Use your extra time to look around and find things you enjoy... it could be anything. Then you GTFO of Uni and into the real world where you're forced to make deadlines, be on time and possibly study in order to keep a standard of living you're used to and you'll probably put forth more effort or you'll end up a dump.
In the end, just do what you want and you'll be interested in it. (Also, don't be afraid of failure).
On September 21 2012 15:43 syst wrote: I was like that all throughout my schooling, all the way through University (undergrad took me 6.5 years to finish).
I think the main reason I procrastinated so much was a fear of failure. I was always praised as a young kid because I was naturally intelligent and learned really quickly. I destroyed other kids in school so much that I got to a point where I felt totally isolated and different. I felt like I was different to the extent that I didn't have to work to succeed and so just stopped working at school, still doing great. Then as the years went by it turns out that education and life in general rewards those who put in the effort and work (regardless, mostly, of their inherent intelligence).
I realized this fact so late (almost finished with uni). The kids I used to wreck were now surpassing me in marketable skills and grades (though not in standardized test scores) and in order to truly compete with them I'd have to put effort in. Now, because I had this superiority complex due to getting by so easily without trying, I was subconsciously afraid of putting forth effort and then possibly being simply mediocre. So, my ego decided it was best to be mediocre than to take the risk of losing my superiority complex.
ANYWAYS, that was just me. Perhaps you can relate, perhaps not. I felt like if you could then it was worth a shot.
As for advice now:
Evaluate your interests and goals. If your goal is to graduate university and you have nothing on your mind for after that, then just do the bare minimum and get your degree. Just don't beat yourself up over your current personality or your other interests. Use your extra time to look around and find things you enjoy... it could be anything. Then you GTFO of Uni and into the real world where you're forced to make deadlines, be on time and possibly study in order to keep a standard of living you're used to and you'll probably put forth more effort or you'll end up a dump.
In the end, just do what you want and you'll be interested in it. (Also, don't be afraid of failure).
Omg that sounds exactly like me. I had a big superiority complex back in elementry because I would do everything correctly without any effort at all compared to my peers. My goal sounds unrealistic for someone in my position, I want to have at least a 6 figure salary in the future but I struggle to achieve this because of my study habits. I don't have any particular enjoyments whatsoever in school but I want to have a University degree in life. However I still find myself to be unmotivated to study sometimes. I do however beat my self up a lot on the times you just listed which in turn makes me negative at times.
First of all, study of home is a myth. At least for people like me who get easily distracted. Yes, I might also get distracted in the library, but far less than at home.
I usually keep a small whiteboard with short term and long term tasks. Whenever I get an assignment, I put it on the whiteboard. Whenever I'm finished an assignment, I erase it from the whiteboard. So the game is to clear out the entire whiteboard(My board is never clear until the end of the term.)
Just wondering though, are you studying something that you actually like? I have an extremely hard time studying subjects that aren't interesting to me.
On September 21 2012 15:34 icydergosu wrote: Ever worked a really shitty job? Should work wonders.
On September 21 2012 15:27 icydergosu wrote: Studying at the library without any electronic devices doesn't work for you either?
Pretty much these things are really helping me. I've been quite similar as far as not having any motivation to study for pretty much all of my life. I went to a university and took a bunch of classes that I really enjoyed but I never really worked outside class. I failed 2 and got a D in another. Then there was a weird situation where my parents implied that they wouldn't help pay for anything if I failed or got 2 D's (lol), so I assumed that I wasn't going back, then it turned out that they might have let me, but it was to late but....... I still don't really understand it, but the result is that I moved back in with them and got a job making pizzas. Right now I'm working about 25 hours a week (and I might be getting a raise to like 40 cents over min wage soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!+ Show Spoiler [!!!] +
!), and taking Diff Eq's, Vector Calc, and Mechanics. I couldn't tell you anything more specific than this to help you, but for some reason this is just working better for me than being in a dorm and only having school. + Show Spoiler +
One other thing: this is a highly subtle brag about how I got an A on the two tests I've taken this week already (DE + calc), and I'm pretty sure I'm gonna get about a 95% on the mechanics test tomorrow (which is completely unrelated to the fact that I've taken 3 physics classes before )
The thing is though that you have to find what works for you. If it's someone yelling at you to work, get your room-mate to do it. If it's going to the top floor of the library and studying for 8 hours straight, just do it. Cognitively you know that you should prioritize studying over other things, the problem that you need to solve is how make that prioritization deeper/subconcious/unconscious/ingrained/stuck. You're not the same person as anyone else, so you're kind of on your own. Right now I feel like Red Green, and so I'll end this by saying "and remember, we're all in this together."
Thanks for that syst. While I don't exactly have a huge ego or superiority complex (I actually have a pretty big inferiority complex, constantly hold myself up to high standards and don't really compare to others--unless I do worse), that is so true. So lazy, afraid to try for fear of realizing I'm mediocre, but really, I am quite mediocre so.
Kinda similar to me. I find I waste large amounts of time playing DotA 2 instead of studying. It's been this way for pretty much 2 and a half years. Dunno how to fix it xD Just keep trying!
Your and especially syst story seem VERY familiar... I have the exact same conditions. I'm extremely lazy and am always dreaming and procastinating. In the end I quit school due to having trouble finding motivation. Everything seemed to easy and my superiority complex got worse and worse.
At some point of time I did an IQ test to find out whether I was just a lazy idiot or somewhat more. The IQ test was the scariest thing I did in life, and TBH, I found out I have severe fear of failure. Im lucky to say I'm not only what I think I am, but by making/feeling superior there will be many cons to perspective of life/happiness.
I dont have an answer to your problem, but what I do find useful is to set yourself some goals, and take your time to evaluate them and make them reachable. Having something to strive for helps to get yourself motivated.. I quit school, and I somewhat failed in the eyes of my parents, but atm they cant complain cus I earn more than my entire class of international business students altoghether at age of 23.
Currently im having vacation (something I longed for first time in my life, before I rather worked). I burned myself out by working 60h+ a week for 1,5years straight (60+hours 6days) and now Im looking for answers on how to keep myself motivated and structured. I think the answer lies in living a structured and healthy life, and making yourself have objectives that are realistic and reachable with a certain span of time. Whether it will find happiness or satisfaction? I don't know, I just know I need to work hard now and after ill evaluate.
Everything is possible. At probably your age I was the same, 10 years later and I finished a degree 1st place in the uni (well we were only 4 -_-) in medical engineering (has to do with computers so i loved it) and I now also give a re-sit exam in an IB subject HL economics just for the heck of it. Need to get a 5 only to shut some mouths. Its hard tho!
On September 21 2012 18:18 ruiyang wrote: Have the same problem mate.
Your and syst story seem VERY familiar... I have the exact same conditions. I'm extremely lazy and am always dreaming and procastinating. In the end I quit school due to having trouble finding motivation. Everything seemed to easy and my superiority complex got worse and worse.
At some point of time I did an IQ test to find out whether I was just a lazy idiot or somewhat more. The IQ test was the scariest thing I did in life, and TBH, I found out I have severe fear of failure. Im lucky to say I'm not only what I think I am, but by making/feeling superior there will be many cons to perspective of life/happiness.
I dont have an answer to your problem, but what I do find useful is to set yourself some goals, and take your time to evaluate them and make them reachable. Having something to strive for helps to get yourself motivated.. I quit school, and I somewhat failed in the eyes of my parents, but atm they cant complain cus I earn more than my entire class of international business students altoghether at age of 23.
Currently im having vacation (something I longed for first time in my life, before I rather worked). I burned myself out by working 60h+ a week for 1,5years straight (60+hours 6days) and now Im looking for answers on how to keep myself motivated and structured. I think the answer lies in living a structured and healthy life, and making yourself have objectives that are realistic and reachable with a certain span of time. Whether it will find happiness or satisfaction? I don't know, I just know I need to work hard now and after ill evaluate.
You have some serious problem. you know money isnt everything and by what u said, you have basically no free time. and you know what they say. Free time is one of the most important things in life.
On September 21 2012 18:18 ruiyang wrote: Have the same problem mate.
Your and syst story seem VERY familiar... I have the exact same conditions. I'm extremely lazy and am always dreaming and procastinating. In the end I quit school due to having trouble finding motivation. Everything seemed to easy and my superiority complex got worse and worse.
At some point of time I did an IQ test to find out whether I was just a lazy idiot or somewhat more. The IQ test was the scariest thing I did in life, and TBH, I found out I have severe fear of failure. Im lucky to say I'm not only what I think I am, but by making/feeling superior there will be many cons to perspective of life/happiness.
I dont have an answer to your problem, but what I do find useful is to set yourself some goals, and take your time to evaluate them and make them reachable. Having something to strive for helps to get yourself motivated.. I quit school, and I somewhat failed in the eyes of my parents, but atm they cant complain cus I earn more than my entire class of international business students altoghether at age of 23.
Currently im having vacation (something I longed for first time in my life, before I rather worked). I burned myself out by working 60h+ a week for 1,5years straight (60+hours 6days) and now Im looking for answers on how to keep myself motivated and structured. I think the answer lies in living a structured and healthy life, and making yourself have objectives that are realistic and reachable with a certain span of time. Whether it will find happiness or satisfaction? I don't know, I just know I need to work hard now and after ill evaluate.
You have some serious problem. you know money isnt everything and by what u said, you have basically no free time. and you know what they say. Free time is one of the most important things in life.
I know. I've always had this somewhat, and I came to realize that this is who I am (altho I sometimes wish I wasn't) and Ive kinda accepted it. Still, there are things that need to be adjusted... E.G. Im at 2 week vacation and found myself completely wrecked. So, I booked consulation with a therapist/physiatrist and consulted medication with a doctor. He said he needed information from the physiatrist first to evaluate if and which disorder I have..
Being who I am has severe disadvantages and advantages. Im just aiming to retire at age between 30-40 and then enjoy free time then I suppose .. just kidding.. not sure what I need to do, but yeah, Im looking for solutions. Might not be the same as the guy above, but I tihnk many on this forum face a somewhat same problem (altho not always with same conditions)
On September 21 2012 15:29 Kaoriyu wrote: Nope, I end up getting distracted and in the end I need electronic devices to access my homework online and submit assignments.
So access the homework, print it and then work on it without the electronic device. After you're finished digitalize it (scan, write, whatever). Sure it requires more time, but if cannot get it done - you just need to spend more time. If you absolutely need to have internet access, consider whitelisting the sites you need to use. Block everything else. Or consider another user account "study" which has very limited software access (so you dont play minesweeper^^).
Also consider having regular breaks (for 5mins). Either after a single (sub)exercice, or after a certain timeframe (20-30min).
You can study with friends / fellow students as well, might help you to stay more focused.
My solution was extreme but effective: you pack some snacks every morning, go to classes, and then you don't go home: you trap yourself in the student library, away from the comp lab. You know, that floor that basically only has tables and books. I would sometimes spend 13 hours on campus; 9 hours in the library alone. It was hard at first, but I got a lot of crap done, and eventually graduated.
I know in my heart that the very INSTANT I step back into my apartment, no textbook will be opened, so I just stopped going home sometimes lol
Studying is like going to the gym, get someone to study with at for instance the library. You will support and back eachother up and also show up since you don't want to let the other one down. Worked wonders for me on my bachelors.
EPT
)
.. just kidding.. not sure what I need to do, but yeah, Im looking for solutions. Might not be the same as the guy above, but I tihnk many on this forum face a somewhat same problem (altho not always with same conditions)
