motivational problems

[Sephtyan]

I have severe problems with motivation. I cannot get work done if I'm not staring a deadline in the face. Actually, as I'm typing this right now, at 1:54 AM on Friday, the second of November, 2012, I have a full, multiple page research paper on sea snakes that is due in six and a half hours. I will start working on it in probably around a half hour from now. I have a page and an eighth that are poorly written.

Are there ways to convincingly trick the human psyche into thinking it's looking at a deadline, days before the actual deadline of the project?

[Mortal Coil]

Well, first of all this may be a sign of a mental disorder. I'm not labeling you as crazy, but you may want to look into it.
Also, yes there are. Write down the deadline as an earlier date. Set your clock or calendar forward. I don't know. Good luck, I guess

[Mirage]

Well, first of all this may be a sign of a mental disorder. I'm not labeling you as crazy, but you may want to look into it.
Also, yes there are. Write down the deadline as an earlier date. Set your clock or calendar forward. I don't know. Good luck, I guess

Those are good ideas. Also, I think you might want to get it checked out as well because it really seems like a disorder to me. Good luck :)

[Donkey]

Well, first of all this may be a sign of a mental disorder. I'm not labeling you as crazy, but you may want to look into it.
Also, yes there are. Write down the deadline as an earlier date. Set your clock or calendar forward. I don't know. Good luck, I guess
I don't remember the H&A section ever being this poor....



What you really need to do is be strict with yourself and think of the future! Think of what you want to do, be it a good College/University or a job in a certain field and think about how great it'll be. If I want to make sure I get all my work done and I'm feeling more motivated, sometimes I do my homework that is due for the latest time first and then the earliest time last (within reason of course) to make sure I get it all done!

Another thing is just to take an interest in your subjects, it's much more rewarding if you read around it a little, what you're taught really is interesting in almost all cases but the bare bones you might need to know for school on their own probably aren't as much as if you look a bit further. Something else you can do is to tell your friends/family "I am aiming for a A/B grade on my next exam!" and then you will feel social pressure to live up to what you said and you'll be more likely to study.

It can be difficult to sit down and just get it done, sure. But a large part of routine. Two hours after school each day for example, away from the computer and the internet, and with your books could do wonders for you if you make it work into a routine.

[TigerBoy]

Not comfortable about the 'mental disorder' view but if we're going that route, a lack of motivation can be a symptom of depression, BUT unless you are having bigger problems with your life and state of mind I suspect you just need to re-train yourself into good habits.

As Donkey said, set a routine, make it a habit. Have a certain time and place to sit down and do your work. At least make yourself go to that spot at that time each day even if you don't get anything done at first and get your subconscious used to the new program.

Its like trying to train yourself to play an instrument / ride a bike / catch a ball : all of those activities are possible through practice and repetition, not because you consciously think about every aspect of doing it.

[Sephtyan]

Two hours after school each day for example, away from the computer and the internet, and with your books could do wonders for you if you make it work into a routine.
The problem with this is that all of the homework I'm getting this semester relies on the internet. I was also supposed to create a Powerpoint presentation for the paper mentioned earlier (which I winged with some markers and a whiteboard), so just staying away from the computer doesn't work.

As Donkey said, set a routine, make it a habit. Have a certain time and place to sit down and do your work. At least make yourself go to that spot at that time each day even if you don't get anything done at first and get your subconscious used to the new program.
I do like the idea of making a routine. However, I'm afraid that after two hours of not doing anything (if that is what happens, I'm not saying that's the plan), how should I get myself to keep with the routine? To motivate myself to commit?

[TigerBoy]

I do like the idea of making a routine. However, I'm afraid that after two hours of not doing anything (if that is what happens, I'm not saying that's the plan), how should I get myself to keep with the routine? To motivate myself to commit?

Off the top of my head eliminate distractions, reward yourself, make it a fun experience.

So if you know you can concentrate with music (not the radio because of the talking being distracting) then stick some headphones in and block out the outside world.

Allow yourself a sweet or something for every 20 mins you do - if you 'cheat' you are only messing up your study plan so hopefully the guilt will put you off cheating too much :)

Allow yourself a short break after 40 mins (so like 10 mins or something).
Set yourself a maximum study time too so you know when you are allowed to stop.

These are all off the top of my head as I say - you may find you need to bring the times right down at first and then increase them a little each time. You may also find some study guidance sites out there with other tips if these are too lame :P

[Sephtyan]

A lot of good advice.

Thanks, this is actually fairly helpful! Perhaps I'll follow up with a success story!

[Donkey]

The problem with this is that all of the homework I'm getting this semester relies on the internet. I was also supposed to create a Powerpoint presentation for the paper mentioned earlier (which I winged with some markers and a whiteboard), so just staying away from the computer doesn't work.

Another simple solution -- go to the school library! If you're intuitive and think about these things, you don't have to keep making excuses. Who does it benefit? I was exactly the same, probably worse actually, before I buckled down with my studies.