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My lazyness and procrastination are getting the best of me.
Every year since the seventh grade I have had one very large problem - School. Now, hey, everyone has a problem with school, but to delve deeper into the subject of school I realize my problem is not directly going there, it's just doing the work.
Throughout my life I have been lazy, I've tried to overcome it and at some points I do, however when I try and do school work I put it off until the last moment.
Studying for a test means 10 minutes of staring at the review and then I say "Okay, I'm done" and move on. Sometimes I do think I'm good to go, but I'm not.
The problem is I don't do my homework sometimes, if I do it, I make sure it is done in a quick and timely manner -meaning it sucks-
This year, my Junior year, is the first time I have ever failed on a report card, even worse, I failed twice.
I realize I have this problem, each year I cut it very close in some of my classes. I'm usually under great stress (though it usually isn't apparent, even to me. Only at certain times does it even really 'get' to me) and when under great stress I can usually pull my grades up. However, without that jumpstart, I don't do the work required.
I realize this, but for some reason I can't become disciplined enough to overcome this terrible problem.
The end of the marking period is once again coming to an end this week, and I'm once again, like usual, I'm cutting it close.
I worry that I will fail, however, I'm not asking "how do I pass my classes with 1 week left?"
I'm asking a broader question which is How do I overcome this problem of putting things off so much?
I fear I've hit rock bottom over the past two years due to the fact that I'm so used to missing turning in an asignment ( Which I usually try to turn them in) that when I dont' have it done I generally just say 'oh well, it's whatever' and blow it off. I've learned to cope with this lazy me, which is also making it much harder to overcome my problem.
Another thing is I have been tested for a.d.d. and I infact do have it. However, I refuse to take my medicine for it. I try to overcome this disability myself (which is also sometimes a problem because I miss out on certain assignments and homework due dates)
Could this pure lazyness I'm experiencing be an effect from my add? I don't think so, but it doesn't help in certain areas.
Are there any techniques I could set up and apply to my daily schedule to improve my work habits?
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Want to answer more questions in the Work & School category?
Maybe give some free advice about: School?
I used to be the same way.
First of all, you will be overcoming your disability yourself by taking responsibility and taking your medicine. To put it bluntly, your doctor has a medical degree and knows more than you do about medicine. It's pretty much impossible to heal yourself from ADD.
Secondly, put yourself in a room with no distractions at all. Even the bathroom if you have to. Do not say, "I'll start my homework at 4:00". Say, "I'll start my homework NOW." Get done as much as you can ahead of time, and take 10 minute breaks- use a timer to make sure. Maybe make Monday your major work day, get done any assignments you know will be due later in the week. For projects, etc. make a timeline. Monday, research, Tuesday, rough draft, and so on. If you don't have an assignment book, buy a small notebook or planner to keep track of your assignments. Write them down the moment they're assigned! A dated planner will help- write it down on the due date also.
As cheesy as it sounds, you'd be surprised how good it feels to have completed all of your homework ahead of time. It means you can do whatever you want instead of staying up late the night before an essay is due.
Let me know if you need any more help.
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Hey. Well I'll try to help you.
I kind of have the same problem as you. I'm also a junior, and I have been hard-working in school until this year [all slack classes, if you know what I mean].
Basically, you need to think about your future. If you plan on going to college, then imagine what colleges will think when you have 2 F's on a report card. Even having 2 D's isn't impressive at all. But there is hope, which I will get into later.
Right now, this is what you need to do. Get home from school and work on your homework that takes the shortest time to complete, like a worksheet or bookwork. Make breaks in between the assignment. If there are 20 math problems, do 10 and take a break, or do 5 and take 4 breaks. The breaks should be no longer than 15 minutes.
Then move on to longer assignments, like projects and studying for tests. There are many different ways to study. I know that studying isn't the funnest thing to do, but believe it or not, it's easier than you think. I'm not the smartest person in the world, and I can memorize a full page of information in about 10-20 minutes if I study. Here is how I personally study: I go to the basement, make flashcards, walk around in circles, and talk out loud. Sometimes hearing the information helps more than reading it.
Anyways, if you continue to struggle, and if you plan on going to college, then there is a way to still get an education. Community colleges. Most of them accept anyone who has a high school diploma, so even if your GPA is a 2.0, you will probably be accepted. However, if you plan on transferring to a 4-year college AFTER that, then you need to get good grades and a stronger work ethic while at the community college. (4-year colleges will generally focus more on your college grades than high school grades).
Either way, you need to get your priorities in order. School comes first. Then a part-time job, if you have one, and THEN fun and friends.
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I don't know about the ADD part but this is the year you tak your SATs, right? I would gradually get into the habit of taking those pills...
Anywhos...moving on.
So, first you need to get organized. Get a piece of paper that you can tape to the wall in your room and write down Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday in 5 seperate columns. Then underneath each day, write down what's due, what projects/tests/quizzes there are gonna be and maybe clubs and sports activity things?
For tests and quizzes, instead of staring at the paper, make flashcards or summerize what you've read in a chart of pharagraph. Physically write down what you've just read so you know what you're writing down. If you think you don't know what you just wrote down, re-read it and write it down again.
Just don't skip or scan and try to study in a secluded area with no distractions.
I suggest you go and get help in every class and see what extra credit you can do and such.
Good luck =]
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Everyone is lazy to an extent--and everyone has difficult staying on task. Having ADD had enhance that very much so. Taking your medicication is ultimately up to you; hoewever, it i proven to be very effective. What's wrong with at least just giving it a try? Or at least make a compromise. For example, when you know you need to buckle down and really study/work hard, take your pill for a week or so, then when you have an easy week, don't. Also, you need to keep up with everything in an organizer or planner and write down what you are responsible for the day. (Ex: quizzes, tests, homework assignments, chores) In addition, you should break things up. Don't start studying for a huge test the night before. Spread it out over the week so that you only have to study for 10-30 minutes a night. That way you won't have such a difficult time concentrating. Eat snacks. They will give you energy and encourage you. Ask for the support of you parents as well. Let them know what's due for the week so they can remind you and help. Also, talk to your teachers. Let them know about the ADD, or just the mere fact that you have problems concentrating. Often times, modifications can be made. Ask if there is any extra credit you can do as well. :)
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