Wanted: second wind
When I started grad school back in August, I was really motivated. Actually more like super stressed, but at least I was determined to get everything done. And done well. And on time! I hoped that soon I would find a groove and that this school thing would seem easier and require less constant work. Well, I seem to have gone to the opposite extreme lately.
The last two weeks I’ve been unmotivated. I’ve skimmed some readings and skipped others entirely. Whereas I used to have everything done early, I now wait until nearly the last minute. I have this big research project due at the end of the semester, it’s something I should be working on consistently from August until the final product is due in December. I did really well for awhile, making steady progress, but the last few weeks I’ve hardly thought about the project. No, not true. I’ve thought about it a lot, I just haven’t done anything.
I remember in mid-October thinking, Oh it’s still October, I’ve still got all of November to get my shit together and do this thing, no problem. Well hello November, you sure snuck up on me. The semester is officially over in a month and I have at least twice that amount of work to do. And you know what? I still don’t care. I thought this research project would be interesting, but turns out it’s more like a pain in my ass.
Plus, in my other class, I have to write an essay comparing Bush’s leadership style to that of past presidents. Seriously? That’s how I have to spend my day? I’d so much rather spend it cruising around the Randomizer.
I need a second wind. Any idea where I could find one?
November 4th, 2007 at 3:54 pm
Hmm.. well I can say that I have any great advice for you, but when I’m looking for tips or inspiration to get myself focused I tend to go to sites like 43folders. Sometimes there’s a post on the main site relevant to trying to get yourself into gear and if not there’s sure to be something on that topic in the site’s forums.
The overwhelming consensus seems to be “set aside a set amount of time a day and do a little work towards the goal.” I try to remind myself of how much time and stress I’m saving myself in the long run, but I still end up procrastinating too.
November 4th, 2007 at 9:59 pm
When I was in high school, a wise friend once told me that the amount of time you have to do something directly corresponds to its duration. So if you have three more weeks to finish the paper, that’s how long it will take to get it done.Procrastination is a MAJOR part of grad school and adult learning in general.
November 5th, 2007 at 12:49 am
I was going to offer to send some wind your way, but it sounded better in my head than as an offer.
November 5th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
give yourself a break, instead of prcrastinating, do something really fabulously wonderful just for you ~ something that totally relaxes you (get a facial, read a fun book, go to an art gallery, dance the night away, whatever it is that YOU love to do!!) … hopefully that will energize you again. sometimes we just need to give ourselves a break
November 5th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
I understand how you feel. I’ve been somewhat academically unmotivated lately (dropped both classes I was taking this semester). I recently applied to grad school and have to wonder what the hell I was thinking.