Hi, I'm in high school too.
And I am also in a program that's insane or at least for people who want to push themselves and go onto higher education. It's called the International Baccalaureate Program, if you've heard of it... And right now, it's like terrible because of the work load and social pressure. I'm not sure if I should continue with it. Ummm, yeah. The question that my therapist has lead me to ask myself is, "Is it worth it?" Because I know I can struggle and succeed in this program, but I also know my mental (and all other kinds) health is not good right now, and there are different things that I can do for college credit. (IM AVOIDING THINKING ABOUT IT, RN... or making any decisions in my life.)
I have no idea how to motivate myself. I think figuring out
the reason or the things keeping you from doing your work could help you figure out how to get to your desired result: having the work done + getting the points. Why do you want to turn in your work? What's keeping you from doing that?
.........One method that I heard from someone else was building up their own fear, if they don't turn in the assignment. Focusing on the slippery slope fallacy, and forcing themselves to think it through "if they don't turn in the assignment they'll <insert motivator: fear, punishment, reward> (look stupid to the teacher/classmates, fall behind, get bad grades, never get into college, not have a job and vice versa.) Whatever was most important to them, they used as a motivator.
.........For me, I'm not sure what's keeping me from doing my assignments (that are literally sitting on my desk as I write this). I know I'm avoiding them. I know that while I'm in school, I really want them done. I feel stupid to have not completed my assignments, to be behind other people who are living completely healthy lifestyles compared to me. I feel like a failure, when I'm in school. But right now I'm home, and I just can muster up the willpower to look at them. (
WHHYYYYYYYYYY???
)
.........I know I struggle with perfectionism. (So if I have too much freedom or options with an assignment (room to be "the best I can be") I won't do it, or I'll avoid it because if I start on it and work really hard, what if I am beginning and setting a groundwork for failure or something that isn't good enough? Then I'll have to start over or continue with something bad, that I tried on and failed because I am a not-that-great person. So I'll receive that 0.)
.........I also struggle with obsessing or focusing on my problems or mistakes (like rumination). So different areas in my life that are a mess, constantly keep coming up in my mind, and since I want to avoid them, I do things that work (music, tv, this...) and not my homework.
So, I should into healthy distractions or like of mind stuff?? I don't know but I should look around on this website to tackle the problems that I'm having (after I've identified them...). Once you figure out the direct causes between your loss of motivation (Did you used to have motivation? Are there certain situations that have changed between the time?), then maybe you could start a different thread... asking for help tackling the direct issue (leading to your lack of interest in starting your school) in the right category.
-------->(If the ppl reading your post knew more about your certain situation, and could relate, then you could get more feedback with the end result of more help.)<----------
Some Possible Ideas:
- -Have someone who can keep you accountable.
(Maybe a classmate, you could make it like a competition or a friend who can understand your probs and is willing to help out... Your parents could also be an option, but for me that isn't working so well)
- -Discuss your problems with your teachers.
(I really really don't want to do this. It's personal. And I feel like my problems with school are all my fault.)
But logically speaking your mental health or environmental situations are going to effect your academic outcomes. And everyone keeps telling me that teachers care about helping you. So I would suggest giving them a chance. Describe why you are having a problem. And then ask for help. (Whether that be staying after school to work on your assignments in their classroom or just some extra time.) To them, knowing that you care and want to try, should mean something.
- -Observe your life style
Honestly, ask yourself... "How am I living my life?" I think a lot of the choices that we make everyday affect our health.
If you could get yourself into the right mindset, maybe you could set yourself in the situation where it's easy to do homework.
- Put away the non-conductive things that distract you & seem more appealing. What are things that you can do that will build up your self esteem (if that's your problem)? If you accomplish them, then you'll feel successful & healthy (and with that
thinking...), then you can be in a situation where homework is doable and it's the best thing to do.
- Change the amount of sleep, type of food, amount of exercise you have... It's possible that (if you have a problem with health or focus or depression) that these habits and way of life are effecting your thoughts and view of yourself and therefore creating an unhealthy environment where doing your homework (a task you know is good, and you want to do) becomes very very hard. (Or with the food thing, you could actually be allergic to something, that's affecting your body and brain power negatively <--- I learned about a couple of child cases from my Psych class.)
- Change your environment. GO to the library. Only bring your work. Don't leave til it's done.
Of course, it should be noted that I am not speaking from successful experience. I am also a mess. I am also in school. I cannot be the giver of a success story and guide you down the path having your very own unicorn best friend, puking rainbows, walking on sunshine, only to go to rest each night in clouds near your own star (I mean, since we live in such a big galaxy...). Sorry, I'm just not there yet.
Each person is an individual, so everyone's journey and trials are different. But high school is a pretty tough time, and we all kind of go through the same thing especially since the US has a standardized school system.
So I feel like I can relate.
PM me if you want to discuss more this problem with motivation or if I can be of any other help.
Also, if anyone has any help for me...
(I really like my idea of having an accountability buddy, but I'm not sure how helpful that would be.... I would love to give it a try!!) (I mean, for me with my perfectionism problem... if someone would be willing to look over my work and compliment me or reassure me that I am not total crap maybe, just maybe my motivation would go up? *sigh* It's a struggle between the thought, "Am I sounding needy, or is this help actually okay to ask for?" Whatever.)
GOOD LUCK ON THE HIGH SCHOOL LIFE.
