dvsxx6 Posted September 12, 2008 Posted September 12, 2008 Hey everyone, So I recently started the Fall semester about 3 weeks ago and have noticed that I have huge avoidance issues when it comes to doing homework. I'm not a lazy person, I just have this anxiety about homework. I would usually be able to figure and work through my own issues, but I just can't seem to put my finger on what's bothering me about it. I've got an idea, but I'm not quite sure. I'm currently a third year Psychology major. Now, please be sensitive about this and refrain from being too judgmental. I was never a great student all throughout my years of schooling. I used to do just enough to get by. For the past 2 semesters, I've vowed to myself that I'd read every week and continue doing so until the semester goes on. I usually end up tapering off the first month or so and then it goes up and down in terms of my progress. My prob is that the classes that I'm taking or have been taking just seem so boring and a waste of time. [These are the classes that are NOT psychology courses. They are courses that I need to take to fulfill other requirements]. This is going to sound really contradictory, but I am the type that truly enjoys learning and reading, but when it comes to certain subjects and doing the hw for those courses [Philosophy: Probability class or Japanese] I start feeling nervous and like I'm incapable of learning. For some reason, I always avoid doing homework. I end up watching TV, sleeping, eating snacks, etc. I know that for the most part, that I'm capable of understanding it, but since I've always been a bad student, I really do not know how to study. I've looked up various "study habits" sites online, but I feel like I need more guidance. I have requested extra help from teachers and am just tired of being confused.. I know that I can get good grades, and have pulled A's or B's in my Psych courses. I can't say the same for my other courses and it has been a huge struggle. As for my Psych courses, I don't really need to study for them cause it's common sense to me. I'm just wondering what the hell can I do to change this way of thinking about homework?! I subconsciously do other things to occupy my time and I have been doing this since high school. I want to change. I need to change. Another thing that I was thinking about earlier today was, is it possible to succeed as a student who just crams rather than being an everyday study~type of person? I know that I work extreemely well under pressure and have pulled off A's and B's on tests and have written 10 page papers the nite before it was due. Ideally, I WANT to be the student that reads a chapter every nite so that I can keep up in class, but the only way I see myself doing well is when I finish a paper or a project 2 or 3 days before it's due, in a high-pressure type of situation. Is there a way to convince myself otherwise? I try to think of long term goals such as "I want to be a psychologist and in order to become one, I would need to continually follow through with tasks, etc" but that doesn't seem to work. It's just the whole aspect of doing homework and going to class that sometimes seems so tedious and at the same time, something that creates huge anxiety for me. I'm hoping to go to grad school in the future. Unfortunately, my GPA has dropped to a 2.3 and I'm so afraid that my issues w/ homework will cause me to fail. My homework issues, on top of taking 5 courses a sem is what is probably bringing me down. I got 2 B+ and 3 C's last semester and that was only cause I focused mainly on 2 of my hardest courses [one of the B+'s and one of the C's that I got]. I want to get ALL A's this semester. I really want to stop feeling like I'm mediocre in this sense. I don't want to fail. And when I say fail, I mean not being able to become a psychologist which is and has always been my lifelong dream. Intellectually, I know what the right thing is to do, but I just feel like I'm stuck in a rut.. Does anyone know what I'm goin through? Has anyone been in this situation? I know that a lot of college students lack motivation and I just want to know if there are any articles out there that will wake me up to realize how important it is to do homework and to stay on top of things. It's not as easy as just doing it since I get easily distracted and my mind wanders. I need some true motivation that will encourage me to stay on task with things. I know that I have the drive and ambition to succeed, I just need to learn better study techniques and habits. And a huge reality check.. Thanks so much in advance!
Green Posted September 12, 2008 Posted September 12, 2008 I’m a professional and had to go through a lot of school and exams to get where I am today. I mostly just cram for things because I lack the ability to keep up with the reading and do hw. I once wrote a 30 page highly technical paper that counted for my entire grade the same day it was due, I was literally printing out and then handing it in. I don’t recommend this because the stress in the back of your mind of knowing you still need to study or still need to write the paper will infect everything you do. I think one of the tricks is to pull your book out and start reading while you watch tv, and then hopefully you get so into reading you shut it off, or just read every time a commercial comes on… you know kind of the way some people fall asleep with the tv on. And actively read, hold a highlighter (yellow) in your hand and highlight different vocab and concepts you think are key as you read. It makes the reading less boring if you highlight stuff as you read it. Also concentrate in class, even if your tired for the 15 hours or what ever a week you are in class concentrate and have a laptop or notebook and just take notes on everything it will help you stay focused on boring stuff, make it a game with the notes to by sneaking a peak at other peoples notes and comparing. Also after class you may want to go into a study room or the library and commit to stay there for at least an hour or two and that way you’ll probably study better then at home, at least you’ll feel like more pressure to study if your staying after, and don’t underestimate highlighting as you read it makes it more fun.
Author dvsxx6 Posted September 12, 2008 Author Posted September 12, 2008 I’m a professional and had to go through a lot of school and exams to get where I am today. I mostly just cram for things because I lack the ability to keep up with the reading and do hw. I once wrote a 30 page highly technical paper that counted for my entire grade the same day it was due, I was literally printing out and then handing it in. I don’t recommend this because the stress in the back of your mind of knowing you still need to study or still need to write the paper will infect everything you do. Thanks for your response KMT!. And Holy God... 30 pg technical paper?! Congrats for pulling That off! lol. Wow. I know what you mean about how that sort of thing is not recommended... but the pressure, the adrenaline that I get knowing that I have that time crunch and how it's either now or repeat the class is what pushes me to try my hardest.. and 9/10 times, I pull an A or a B at the lowest. I think one of the tricks is to pull your book out and start reading while you watch tv, and then hopefully you get so into reading you shut it off, or just read every time a commercial comes on… LoL I SO wish this was possible.. That the reading will somehow overpower my interest in TV. I could be watching the most boring informercial on TV, selling me rocks and I'd still want to watch it over doing hw. LOL sad, I know.. but you're right though.. I haven't tried that before and I should give it a try. I'm thinking that maybe it won't be my interest in the book that will get me to do the hw, rather, it'll be my guilty conscience that'll kick in saying "turn off the rock informercial and do something productive with your time!" lol. Also after class you may want to go into a study room or the library and commit to stay there for at least an hour or two and that way you’ll probably study better then at home, at least you’ll feel like more pressure to study if your staying after, and don’t underestimate highlighting as you read it makes it more fun.The environment, like going to the library really does make a huge difference. I live at the dorm and I tend to Sometimes stay in my room which makes it harder to concentrate [lots of distractions in here]. It really does make a huge difference. I'll try goin to the lounge where there's a nice desk and is distraction~free so that I can get my work done. I'll def try some of your techniques. Thanks KMT!
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