[Typo]

I have always found school difficult, not because I find the material's hard, but because I have a lot of problems focusing and with self discipline.

I could get away with this in high school because the work load was smaller and I could never study and still know all the material (except for math, I"m slow at math). I could even do this in my college level courses.

But now that I am in college, I seem to be screwing up royally!

Inbetween, work, my chaotic home life, my mental health issues, and the exhausting drive to campus everyday, I have flunked two classes and I am on my way to flunking two more.

I just don't understand why I am doing this! I am so darn stupid

I find it so hard to focus and do the homework, or I'm so exhausted I just want to go home and lay down. If only I had more self discipline! If only I was a better student! UGH!

Someone help! I need advice, I can't keep screwing up like this or I will never get done with my associates of liberal arts and never get to move on to my bachelors work in English. I'm just so upset and disappointed in myself right now

[equive]

You're not stupid! You must be very intelligent to have breezed through high school the way you did and make it to university. But I completely understand how frustrated you must feel, especially since it sounds as though you're totally dedicated to school and like going.

It sounds like you have an awful lot of stuff going on in your life that makes it really difficult to keep studying for school as a priority. Is it possible you can decrease your work load? Maybe work less hours or take fewer classes? Or maybe you could try doing the homework/studying for your classes while you're already on the campus, before making the long exhausting drive home?

I hope you can find a solution that works for you..

[Christina86]

If you find the cure to get self-discipline and to avoid procrastination, would you share it with me please??

(((((((((((Silversparrow))))))))))))))))

If it's any comfort (as I can relate) I've managed to "successfully flunk" 4 out of 5 university classes this year. Yep, I sucked just that much...

You are not stupid. Stressed, yep. Struggling, definitely. Procrastinating, maybe. "Un"disciplined, I suppose so. But you're not stupid. To make it INTO college or university or post secondary anything means you've managed to pull off decent grades at least until this point!

How many classes have you been taking? Perhaps lessening the workload (taking fewer classes) might be useful? Do you have academic accommodations because of your mental illnesses at your college? Perhaps you might consider switching your program to something else that you might find easier/more interesting?

All I can say is that I'm considering going TO college because they let you go off and just do whatever here in university. No small classes or assignments, just exams and essays ... forever and ever and ever...

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. But you're not alone.

[thelionkinglives]

Originally Posted by Silversparrow

I have always found school difficult, not because I find the material's hard, but because I have a lot of problems focusing and with self discipline.

I could get away with this in high school because the work load was smaller and I could never study and still know all the material (except for math, I"m slow at math). I could even do this in my college level courses.

But now that I am in college, I seem to be screwing up royally!

Inbetween, work, my chaotic home life, my mental health issues, and the exhausting drive to campus everyday, I have flunked two classes and I am on my way to flunking two more.

I just don't understand why I am doing this! I am so darn stupid

I find it so hard to focus and do the homework, or I'm so exhausted I just want to go home and lay down. If only I had more self discipline! If only I was a better student! UGH!

Someone help! I need advice, I can't keep screwing up like this or I will never get done with my associates of liberal arts and never get to move on to my bachelors work in English. I'm just so upset and disappointed in myself right now

(((silversparrow)))
I feel your pain I've been there. I think maybe starting to talk to yourself differently. I know I use to refer to myself as stupid, weak, pathetic as a way to motivate myself. I did well with it for a while but after time I started believing it.
Do you keep a day planner?
It sounds like you need to make sure your staying true to YOUR priorities not those around you.
For me...Its 1. family 2. health 3. education 4. employment.
Having some issues personally with 2-4 but #1 is good

anywho, just a thought

[littlelovely]

I'm in the same boat as you. I procrastinated on my homework all this week from stress and depression even though I know that I need to do it, even now, but I just can't seem to get motivated enough to start. School is so important to me right now. If i don't pass every class this quarter I would have to wait a whole year to start my program to get a degree and get out. I have to work to pay my bills and I'm taking the least amount of classes I can. I live in a chaotic situation and have no designated study area so that may help you to find somewhere quiet where people wont bother you. I have a planner but it doesn't really help me much. I know that if you have study groups that helps too because you can also ask questions with other group members. i wish you luck in school and I hope you pass you classes.

[GrayNess]

You are not stupid, you got into college and found high school easy.

For me, I try to look at my overall goal of getting a doctorate. To make it easier, I set numerous sub-goals so that I have some motivation, some direction to go in. This can be anything from passing the next test to passing a year.

Also, you must prioritize and plan out your time. Ideally, make a schedule for yourself and give yourself extra time for each college-related activity. The reason for doing this is two-fold. First, it gives you more leniancy in finishing the task. Second, if you finish ahead of time, then you can feel good about that, feel good about finishing it earlier.

When working, take breaks. I can for some courses hyperfocus for hours on end, and although I have quite a good memory and intelligence, in my first year I wasn't using this intelligence enough. I was guzzling energy drinks like no tomorrow trying to study as though the sky would fall the very next day if I didn't finish. Later in that year and now, I realized my mistake and am far less aggrevated.

Try working with a study group, it can help reduce stress and tension in yourself, make it easier to learn by getting multiple views and you can teach others. That teaching helps you retain and apply the concepts a lot.

For me, when studying, I underline in my books first in pencil the general concepts. Then in blue or black pen I underline more specifics. If need be, a red pen. After, everything that still isn't sinking in and the very important concepts I write down only once and read them over and the book. When I write it down, I use my own words, not the book's wording so I can know and be able to apply it.

Also, and very important, give yourself rewards. These rewards can be coming onto here, getting ice cream, TV, etc... . You have to take the roles of the nagging parents and the student. You also have to minimize distractions, so study at home, campus, library, etc... but in as much peace and quiet as possible. Have some snacks and a drink nearby so you don't have to get up and run for some.