So summer classes are starting soon and I'm finding myself really not looking forward to them. Ever since January, I have had very little motivation for school and have trouble staying focused on the goals at hand. I am the worst procrastinator ever and I put absolutely everything off until the last minute and end up screwing myself some of the times. Does anyone have any tricks or tips on how to get/stay motivated for schoolwork or any kinds of studying tricks that will help me?

5/19/2007 10:49:19 AM

if you arent motivated by screwing yourself in the past it might be hard to find something to motivate you properly.

try rewarding yourself every now and then and/or take frequent breaks while doing work.

5/19/2007 10:53:28 AM

think about that $1.00/hr increase after you complete the classes...that should be enough motivation.

[Edited on May 19, 2007 at 10:57 AM. Reason : w]

5/19/2007 10:57:10 AM

Here's one for you: if it wasn't for Concerta plus a healthy dose of cognitive behavioral modification, I'd still be up shit creek in that area.

Actually, I'm still paddling around in Shit Creek, but a lot closer to the mouth and farther away from the headwaters than I once was.

5/19/2007 4:31:31 PM

I'm the opposite: I am the worst procrastinator ever and I put absolutely everything off until the last minute and never end up screwing myself over.

It is not good for motivating me to change my ways. "Well, last time I waited until 2 a.m. to start working on my ten page short story I still got it done..."

See: http://thewolfweb.com/message_topic.aspx?topic=468331 (I got an A- on the story and won the position)

[Edited on May 19, 2007 at 4:44 PM. Reason : Link]

5/19/2007 4:40:37 PM

Masturbate a lot. It will put you in a good mood making you productive.

5/19/2007 5:21:27 PM

maybe for a woman, it would just make me tired.

5/19/2007 5:55:11 PM

life's hard

5/19/2007 6:01:48 PM

5/19/2007 7:36:30 PM

it doesn't sound like you really want to be in school

or someone else is paying for it for you

or maybe you haven't had enough bad jobs to make you want to work hard enough to be able to work with people who have more than 2 brain cells.

...just my thoughts...

5/20/2007 1:25:12 AM

5/20/2007 1:34:39 AM

Quote :

"I am the worst procrastinator ever and I put absolutely everything off until the last minute and end up screwing myself some of the times."

I was in the same boat and royally fucked my gpa forever my sophomore/junior year. The threat of failing college hits when you go on academic probation/suspension. I realized I came too fucking far to give up 3 years of my life with nothing to show for it. When one of my professors said I wasnt gonna ever graduate, I told him I don't give a fuck if I have to stay here for 6 years, I was gonna get my grades up, get my diploma and no one could ever take that shit away. I was pissed and he just said 'we'll see.' Ended up with a A- in his class. Reverse pyschology I guess.

So the past year I've always looked at whats coming up on deadlines, and no matter whats going on with your friends or personal tasks, you go to the library, preferably somewhere in the stacks. Just somewhere with very few distractions- no TV, no internet access, just the azns talking too loud in some corner. I wont feel like leaving if I havent accomplished anything substantial, cause I think it would be a waste of time, waste of gas, and ultimately a waste of money. Take some food or laptop with you so you wont have an excuse to leave. I dont know about your major but I've realized knocking out the homework and completely understanding it by looking at the only interesting material (my assignment) in my dull fuckin cubicle, rather than just doing it, far surpasses any cramming or even sometimes studying for tests. Which is what I always used to do and obviously was starting to not work. Thats just me, different for everyone. Obviously if you just write papers for your major just set small goals ~outlines, 2-3 pages a day, etc. and frequent the library once a day.

Words like a MF

5/20/2007 2:38:19 AM

Run or swim on a regular basis - frequent cardio makes me more productive by raising my overall energy level, and bumping up the brain chemicals that make me want to kickass at whatever I do. Maybe it'll work for you too

5/20/2007 11:03:19 AM

^ Is good advice. I struggled all through undergrad failing several classes and didn't do much exercise or anything. A year later, I am in grad school and working full time. I started off the quarter as much less of a procrastinator when I was sleeping 8 hours a night (makes a huge difference) and swimming several mornings a week before work. I got too busy, stopped swimming in the mornings, started sleeping only 6 hrs a night, and started struggling a lot more with my classes and procrastinating a lot more at work. Like tonight for instance, I'm way behind, have an assignment due at midnight that I haven't started, and am posting instead of working on it because I can't get focused. Paying 2 grand a class out of my own pocket is somewhat of a motivator, but leading a healthy lifestyle with plenty of sleep and fitness can go a long way in how well you perform in other aspects of your life. (Now I ought to go and listen to my own advice instead of staying up all night and hitting snooze too many times in the morning.)

5/21/2007 8:38:32 PM

I've been a terrible procrastinator all my life. It's only bit me in the ass in college, never had any problems in K-12. If you wanna read a good book that lists all the different reasons people procrastinate and gives some good hints on how to get better, read Procrastination by Burka and Yuen.

It's a good book but I still put shit off like there's no tommorow. There's no instant cure for bad habits, it's an uphill battle all the way.

5/22/2007 12:53:49 AM

Keep yourself busy all the time. I'm in my first quarter working towards my MBA and I noticed that when I took periods off from my daily routine (i.e.- going to the gym or vacation times at work) I would lose some motivation when it came to school..

Now I fit in the gym every day even though I'm working 40 hrs a week and taking night classes. The studying seems to fit in naturally after my day and I've had no problems focusing on it when the time comes. I literally have zero free time M-F until I lay down for bed. It also makes me sleep hell of a lot better and I actually feel MORE awake in the mornings than when I had more 'down' time.

I guess different people react differently to things though obviously...

[Edited on May 22, 2007 at 1:07 AM. Reason : z]

5/22/2007 1:06:34 AM

Quote :

"it doesn't sound like you really want to be in school or someone else is paying for it for you or maybe you haven't had enough bad jobs to make you want to work hard enough to be able to work with people who have more than 2 brain cells. ...just my thoughts..."

Yep, I went and enlisted in the National Guard and took a break. If co-opping is an option for your major try that - seeing your schoolwork applied can really bring things together and make you want to learn how things work!

5/22/2007 1:42:44 AM

Take a break in the middle and do some exercise. It'll help reduce stress and clear your head. Get more sleep. Those aren't really motivation though...


For me it was the fact that I was paying for my classes out of pocket. When you have to write that $2000 (ish) check for tuition every semester you've got your motivation not to waste it.

5/22/2007 8:58:14 AM

ouch....

go work at a homeless shelter for a bit or hang out in a trailer for awhile... that should be more than enough motivation...

5/22/2007 2:02:41 PM

I hung out with two homeless guys outside Quiznos yesterday, the one next to Playmakers.

They were actually kinda cool. One of them asked me if I'd like to eat with them, so I did. We talked about Cat Stevens. It was a very pleasant ordeal.

So yeah dude, fuck it, maybe being homeless isn't that bad. These dudes were pretty chill.

5/25/2007 6:34:15 PM

did they have any teef?

5/25/2007 7:15:24 PM

nvm

[Edited on May 25, 2007 at 7:35 PM. Reason : i had nothing nice to say]

5/25/2007 7:27:08 PM