Recently, I’m having a very difficult time working on my homework and spending time studying. I don’t understand the content as much. It’s stressing me out and I have a lot of negative self talk in regards to my performance in school.
What do you do that helps you get things done that you’re avoiding or procrastinating on?
I know that I can be a good student. But, I am afraid I’m not. I’m obsessing about the homework but I start to do one problem and feel stupid and give up. This mental battle is causing me to not use my time wisely. 🤓😰⏰
Are there any techniques you recommend? I’d love to hear some feedback and suggestions.
I hope you all are having a wonderful day. I appreciate you taking the time to read this. Thank you.
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I don't know exactly what to suggest. I had anxiety around my performance at school too. I would get intimidated and give up. Or pick apart a paragraph I had written for hours. How about just do it - poorly or incorrectly if necessary and then re visit it with fresh eyes? Or give yourself a set amount of time for each exercise and then move onto to the next one even if the first isn't done. Perhaps this would create some momentum? Or co-work beside or with someone else who can hold you accountable and help you. I'm sorry I don't have better ideas - I am thinking of going back to school and I am worried about the same thing. Good luck!
It’s nice to be understood! It’s weird how much more an assignment can be difficult with anxiety. It can take more time and energy to do some assignment than it “should.” Thank you for replying - I really liked hearing your experience and feel as though I’m not alone in this.
I appreciate your ideas! My friends are in different classes and have work schedules. It can be hard to meet up. Also, they kind of work faster than me so sometimes it’s hard to keep up. But I can try tomorrow! We all have some free time in between our class. I don’t know.
I think I might stop by my disability counselor and get some support from her... or I could talk to my teacher for help. I might feel better - that’s what’s helped me in the past. They help remind me of how to cope with some of this stuff.
Thanks again!! I hope going back to school and that transition goes well for you, if you choose to do that. Have a good rest of your day! 😊
Hello! One really important thing you can do is manage your time well. Whatever you do, you will do it better if you tackle the work as soon as you get chance to do it. Don't let work stack up on you or you will feel even more overwhelmed.
Sometimes, you can't just get to writing straight away, the thoughts don't always flow, so don't be afraid to draft out some notes or spider diagrams to get you started....they're the kind where you write the question or topic in the centre, then draw some lines out from the middle with your thoughts or reactions to the question.....Make notes and jot down initial thoughts while they are fresh in your mind. Then when you come to do the work, you will have some key points to get started on.
You don't need to be a perfect student in terms of grades. A perfect student is not someone who gets the best grades all the time but the ones that enjoy their work and show interest and enthusiasm. If you want to learn, then you will more likely learn than someone who isn't interested in being there. If you are happy, you will do much better than if you are stressed all the time. Relax and remind yourself that you are a good student. Focus on positive things rather than grades......did you enjoy the lesson? Did you find it interesting? Did it make you want to learn more? The more you put into your lessons, the more you will get out of them, so get involved in class if you can and don't be afraid to contribute if you feel like it. You may surprise yourself!
Don't try to be a perfectionist. It is important to let your work show your personality and your character and the teachers are not looking for perfection but individualism. They want you to express yourself through your work and for you to be inspired and motivated by their teachings. They want you to enjoy your studies and this comes across most when you let yourself explore the topics and put your own take on things.
You don't have to be right all the time....teachers are looking for your ideas, your thoughts and your values.....getting stuff wrong is a way of learning, just as much as getting things right. Often, the teachers will really like that you had a go and got involved in the discussion, even if you got the answers wrong. They like that you show enthusiasm and engagement and this is really important because when you enjoy something, you tend to have a much better chance of doing well in the subject.
Don't sit there and feel stupid for not understanding or not knowing.....ASK! That's what the teachers love. They are there to teach you and they can't do that if you switch off because you are not following. You can't possibly be interested in something if you don't understand what is being said. Sometimes, all it takes is a little nudge or a chat 5 min after class to make that light bulb switch on and it will also make you feel more confident.
Asking questions is not dumb. It shows that you are interested in learning.
If you are struggling with the class, take notes so that you can recall some of the key points for when you get home and this will help refresh your memory. Use the internet to broaden your own knowledge of what you do in class. Watching a video or something on the news that relates to your lesson can really bring the teaching to life and help you learn far easier than from books and just listening to someone speak.
Make sure you get enough sleep. No one can do their best work if they are tired. Eat well too and drink plenty of water because you cannot concentrate properly if you are dehydrated and it will cause tiredness and lack of concentration.
Grab a bite to eat between lessons and a snack before you tackle your homework. Do it at a time to suit you, and don't leave it too late when you are feeling tired and irritable. Don't procrastinate. Save yourself a nice treat or reward for when you are done, whether it's a nice movie or checking out your favourite websites....we waste so much time putting things off that we would have been able to complete the tasks several times over and without the pressure of having less time to do it in.
Prioritise your work. Don't do homework that's due in by next Friday if you have work that's due in tomorrow.
Always remember to make time for yourself and keep things in perspective. It is important to try hard and do your best, but you must also find a balance in your life and you should not be spending too long on your homework.
If you feel like it hangs over you till you get it done, do it as soon as it is set....keep on top of things and remember that it is not the end of the world if you don't master every piece of work given. Just try your best and look after yourself.
Thank you Saltwater! Thanks for taking the time to reply thoroughly.
It is easy to avoid the work and getting more overwhelmed. About the whole wanting to be here to learn, I’ve been thinking maybe I’m not in the right major. I don’t know. I’m in a lot of math and physics classes.
This *is* really great advice. Your suggestions definitely help illuminate things I can do to strengthen my resolve, my understanding of the material, my attitude, and my relationship with my teachers. It’s focusing on what I can do rather than how I feel or looking at what’s happening as if I don’t have much control.
Again, thank you. I have been letting my frustrations change my behavior into disengagement. This semester is... different.
I hope you’re having a good day today!!! You’ve been an absolute ray of positivity and sunshine - I don’t know about you but it’s been freezing where I live. So, this is so nice.
I will try to make some of these adjustments.
You know what you’re talking about! Way to go!!
🤓😊
I think it's an excellent idea to ask your teacher and the counselor for help. They've likely seen all sorts of students and can give you suggestions. Being encouraged by them will feel nice as well, I imagine.
Since you recognize you are struggling a bit, is there any area of your life you can slack off a little (just for the time being) so you can give this some extra attention?
This probably goes without saying, but I can't think of many things that will help brain function more than getting enough sleep, eating healthily, getting exercise daily and having a friend to blow off steam now and then.
Yes, I had my meeting. It was a really good pep talk. I think I’ve been letting my fear of failure consume my energy and motivation to do school work. So to release myself from that obsession, I have been spending a lot of time doing other things - like spending time with family more than I should, playing video games, watching tv. My counselor helped me talk about how I don’t have to be perfect, here to learn, and that I’ll be okay - stuff like that.
I had also been working way too much. I let them schedule me extra hours even though school was starting. So I’ve fixed that.
But the work remains! I know all I can do is my best. I know that I can spend some time rewriting my notes, reviewing the homework, and watching videos.
I have been getting the sleep I need, eating alright, and taking my meds regularly. It’s just been the attitude, depression, and anxiety that’s been hurting my ability to invest the time to understand the stuff... I think?
Thank you for taking the time to reply. It’s been nice getting feedback from you guys and being supported!
I wish you the best of luck in what you have going on. Hope you’re having a good day today!!
I had a test today! I don’t think I did very well. I did study, but only this morning (ahhh, I know thats bad.) I will get partial credit on some of the questions. My teacher is kind of a nice grader so I’ll either get a C or a B. It’s math. I’ll be okay.
I do want to cry about it. But!! I think this is a good turning moment. I’ve let the workload sit but worry me. So anyways, this is my opportunity to start doing things differently as you all have suggested.
Thank you everyone again. I appreciate all your words. Have a wonderful day.
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