Trouble getting motivated, any tips?

I am doing an online class this semester and I am really having a hard time getting motivated to sit down and do the readings...

At this point, I need to read 3 chapters and answer the questions by Feb 19th...

The class is basically self paced. 4 units with due dates, but if you finish them all early you can be done before the end of the semester. No exams.

Any tips or advice is greatly appreciated...

Puck

Well... it's been a very long time since the Skeezyks did any studying! But, at the risk of mentioning the obvious, my suggestions would be to set aside specific times of the day to work on what you need to get done. Perhaps array yourself with some things you would like such as some favorite music, a beverage you enjoy, etc. And then simply make a start. I personally find that when there is something I need to do, if I just make myself get going on it, once I'm doing it it's actually fine. It's just getting past that initial push that is the tough part.

What are your goals, are you getting a degree? If you have a goal like becoming a social worker for example (for me) it could motivate you.

You could also start setting aside some money and reward yourself with something nice when you finish the class.

What motivates me is knowing that every thing I do is leading up to getting my degree and eventually a career in a field I'm passionate about

The ultimate goal is a master's degree, I think. Right now, I am a few classes away from an associates. I had to withdraw from 4yr university, due to mental illness and being overwhelmed and hospitalized more than once. I started uni in 2001. Still no degree. It's started to feel impossible.

I did decide one thing I could do... there is a game that I used to play, that has a monthly pay to play fee.

I told myself that if I could get chapter 1 done today (today being the key word there), I would subscribe again. Then, in order to get game time in any given day, I need to meet some sort of goal for that day. For example, I have T on Mondays, and I have a tendency to feel like not going and I will call her to cancel/reschedule. If I do not go to T, I do not get to play. I will pick a 2 or 3 days to work on school, and then if I don't meet my goal for how much I need to do that day, I don't get to play.

I did finish the required questions for chapter 1, around 9pm. Since it was so late in the day, I didn't do the subscription yet. I will either do that or get a prepaid card that is 2 mos worth tomorrow.

There is an optional short essay for each chapter that I do intend to do, but I want to do the required question for the whole unit before doing those, to make sure I get it in on time.

Puck

I have an hard time with motivation as well! I'm sorry you're struggling with it as well.

Set a schedule, and stick to it. Designate two nights a week, where you are home and have free time, as your "class dates." Imagine if the class met twice a week at night (or during the day, depends on your schedule) and use that time to devote to the class.

If you choose Tuesday/Thursday, use Tuesdays as the day to get all of the reading done. Then use Thursday to get all of the assignments done. All other days are additional days to study for a test, get ahead with reading, etc.

I once took an entire semester of online classes-- 16 credits. I had to do homework almost every single day to stay caught up or be a little ahead. I stuck with a time and told myself, I was not leaving the computer until such-and-so assignment was done.