Motivation
 

Problem:
I have a hard time motivating myself to go to my college classes and do my homework. Its my senior year and I need to do well to get onto law school but that simple knowledge isn't enough to get me going. This isn't a new problem. I've always been able to get by in school with A's and B's with almost no effort, but I realize that I need to get over this if I'm to succeed in life (and school). Advice?

i've always had the motivational/lazy problem every so often. was the same in school as you are. i still haven't found the answer exactly. but for a temporary fix, when i see a good motivational/inspirational type movie, it get's me going for a little bit, lol.

maybe someone else will come up with a better answer.

Best thing I've learned is to:
1. Shut out all distractions and isolate yourself and your work.
2. Realize that motivation to finish work comes once AFTER you start your work!! This is important!!
3. Start doing your work and eventually you'll want to finish it.

Best of luck.

When I'm having trouble getting motivated I break up the work into small, manageable chunks, and then make deals with myself: when I've finished this chunk (reading a chapter, writing 3 paragraphs, whatever) I get the reward (browsing TFP for 1/2 hour, playing a game, eating chocolate). It takes longer to finish the work but I get it done and have some fun in the process.

Lurkette has a great idea... milestone goal oriented...

the other is complete delayed gratification. give yourself a big reward at the end... such as that new video game, CD, DVD.

of course you could drive by skid row and see what happens with complete and utter disregard for motivation brings you...

Motivation is something you will need in spades for law school. The first year is usually a sink-or-swim avalanche of curriculum--thinning the herd.

Lurkette hit it on the head. It can feel a bit masochistic (sp?), but it really helps. Don't let yourself call your friend until you finish that paper. Buy a food you really like and don't let yourself eat it until you do what you gotta do. It's a self-control thing.

Unless your work calls for it, disable the internet. Do not put on music (at least loud, heavy music), and lock your door. It's what you have to do. ...See, I did all of that except for unplug the Internet...and I should be studying.

I know this is unrelated, but Muad, do you perhaps play a game called Infantry?

having same problem - reading closely....

Does anyone here buy into the ADD fad going about?

Not that I think I have it, but I have known people for whom it seemed almost physically difficult for them to focus/concentrate. On the other hand, I know even more people who have been (seemingly) misdiagnosed with ADD or ADHD and drugged up just because they would rather play video games than do homework.

So do you guys believe in ADD? And if so, do you think there might be varying degrees of it where some people might need meds to deal, while other just need a very solid environment, while other can just get to it at will? Or is it just that some people (like myself) are excessively weak willed or simply can not do something unless it serves some clear and ultimate goal.

I "believe in" ADD - for some people, there is some kind of chemical imbalance or structural/functional misfiring that leads to an inability to pay attention. However, I think the syndrome is 1. poorly defined, and 2. because of that, overdiagnosed. I think a lot of people, especially kids, who are diagnosed with ADD may be suffering from some other kind of learning disorder, or just bad study skills, and that medication should be the last stop after trying a number of non-pharmaceutical methods to deal with the problem. Sometimes the diagnosis is just to give the kid Ritalin right off and see if the problem goes away. WTF?!

IMHO there are people with ADD, but it is overdiagnosed and a catchall like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

I'm going to say, there's just TOO many things out there vying for our brains and eyeballs now.... distractions distractions distractions.

I'll tell you what keeps me motivated... ;) check back at this thread tomorrow.

I do buy into it because I have it, but it is something that can be lived with.

I used to need Ritalin to be able to actually concentrate on the smallest task, but after time, you can learn to use the extra unharnessed energy without medication.

It's not that I've been 'cured' its that Ive learned how to live and deal with it effectively.

haha.. sounds like me except it's only my second year and I don't want to go to law school. For me it's not that I have ADD or any other disorder/problem... I'm just lazy.

Motivation is very important. You must have it to go anywhere in life!
Good luck!

yes motivation is very important. But you also need the right tools for the job. E.G. You can have all the motivation in the world to move that mountain, but it will take you alot longer with a shovel, than it will with a bulldozer.................:rolleyes:

You know, I was buying into the whole ADD thing but I think it is more of a bored issue. I'm an English major and this semester has been the absolute worst. I'm not into the subject matter unless I'm actually in class. I should be reading constantly and writing papers about those readings but I just don't feel the need to do it. I think I'm just bored with the subject matter and I really would like to do something different. I think this is why colleges sometimes insist on students having a minor to go with their major. Unfortunately, a minor wasn't required in my college.

My only advice is this: stay focused. No matter how much you hate doing what you're doing, the worst case scenario is that you would have to do it again. Best of luck to you.