[Raging4444]

I do a type of homeschooling where I learn from reading.So really no teacher needed.But,during this time,I find it hard to focus on my studies.And I'm behind on my work and have no motivation to keep working.

Any advice?Please?

[Skeezyks]

Hello Raging: I see this is your first post here on PC. So... to PsychCentral… from the Skeezyks! May the time you spend here be of benefit.

I don't know as there is a lot I can suggest here. One thing I sometimes mention to members who are having these kinds of difficulties is a practice called "Snap Club". This is something that was developed by a member here on PC whose user name is "Vital". Here's a link to his thread with regard to the practice:

https://forums.psychcentral.com/depr...n-escaped.html

May it be of benefit...

PsychCentral is a great place to get information as well as support for mental health issues. The more you post, & reply to other members’ posts, the more a part of the community you will become. Plus there are social groups you can join & chat rooms where you’ll be able to connect with other PC members in real time (once your first 5 posts have been reviewed & approved.) Lots of great stuff! So please keep posting!

Can you make a schedule and stick to it? Add enough time for breaks, snacks, maybe exercise? Is there someone that can hold you accountable? Maybe a family member or a tutor? When I was sort of home-schooling myself (too unwell to attend school, but I tried to work on homework) I had a schedule and a retired teacher would come by once a week to see how I was doing.

[endless horizon]

Hey Raging! Homeschooling can be pretty difficult, especially since no to families do it alike. Personally, I was unschooled my whole life, so I didn't have to learn self motivational skills until I started college.

Here's what I learned on the fly that helped me suddenly deal with deadline to my learning.

So, it sounds like your parents let you pace your own learning? Or is it more like really soft deadlines?

[endless horizon]

Hi Raging! Homeschooling can be kinda hard to give advice on, since every family does it really differently. Personally, I was unschooled, so my parents never made me learn anything I didn't want to, so I didn't have to acquire the skills to do so until college.

So since I suddenly had to do a lot of reading/coursework that was really challenging, these are some things I did that I found made it easier to actually get the work done

- Don't think of EVERYTHING that needs to be done, break it into smaller pieces. I found just thinking about getting through the next 5 pages instead of thinking about the whole chapter made it feel less daunting

- Work the small chunks, and break it up with little rewards. For example, "I only need to do 5 work equations, and then I can take a break and watch a 4-6 minute video or song" or "I'll read sections 2.4-2.6 and then I can watch a TV show."

- Alternative pacing, 10 minutes reading, 5 minutes of break

Personally I find it extremely difficult to sit down and do a lot of reading, so I paced myself to 4-6 pages between breaks, and sometimes even just getting up and walking to another room for a moment and sitting back down can help break it up a bit.

If it's harder to even get started, I wish I could offer you more advice, but I really struggle with that myself. I'm a chronic procrastinator LOL. But I hope some of that is helpful, and I wish you the best of luck in your studies!

[(JD)]

IDK.... are your reading materials online? Can you have your computer read them to you while you eat ice cream or something?

[alicetailor]

Setting a goal will help and motivate you to work hard.

Also, is the level of the material right? Too easy and you get bored, too hard it's demotivating.

[NYGiant]

Hi Raging. I would imagine home schooling takes a lot of discipline. My best advice would be to use a pomodoro technique (25 min of work with 5 minute breaks). After you do 4 loops of that you take a longer break.

Also dont focus on ALL the work you need to get done. Just focus on one small task at a time. For example dont worry about reading all chapter. Set a goal to read one page. When you finish a page reward yourself by feeling good about it.

I wish you the best success.