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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Quintal on November 30, 2008, at 15:51:26
I can't seem to focus on anything. There's an exam coming up on Tuesday and I haven't revised properly. I think it's too late to save it this time. I don't know what's wrong with me, it's like 'my mind is paralysed with fear'. People think I'm an idiot.
I've sat in front of a textbook for hours now with my eyes following the words, but nothing sinks in. A few weeks ago I was more confident and didn't have this much trouble. I wonder if I'm doing this deliberately.
Posted by Phillipa on November 30, 2008, at 16:54:59
In reply to Motivation techniques needed, posted by Quintal on November 30, 2008, at 15:51:26
Sounds like stress to me do you feel you know the material? Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on November 30, 2008, at 16:56:21
In reply to Re: Motivation techniques needed » Quintal, posted by Phillipa on November 30, 2008, at 16:54:59
I didn't know you went back to school what subjects? Phillipa no wonder you've been amonst the missing
Posted by Sigismund on November 30, 2008, at 17:46:46
In reply to Motivation techniques needed, posted by Quintal on November 30, 2008, at 15:51:26
You don't need motivation.
You are sufficiently motivated to sit in front of textbooks for hours.
What you need is interest.
But how do you get that?
Posted by Sigismund on November 30, 2008, at 17:50:10
In reply to Motivation techniques needed, posted by Quintal on November 30, 2008, at 15:51:26
Perhaps you should just accept that you will fail, and read the books out of interest.
Then turn up to the exam.
Since you know you will fail there is nothing to fear.
Posted by SlugSlimersSoSlided on November 30, 2008, at 17:54:28
In reply to Motivation techniques needed, posted by Quintal on November 30, 2008, at 15:51:26
For me this happens in the last month of a semester. Do you study hard at first and then get burned out by the end of the semester?
Posted by llurpsienoodle on November 30, 2008, at 19:01:24
In reply to Re: Motivation techniques needed » Quintal, posted by SlugSlimersSoSlided on November 30, 2008, at 17:54:28
Mr. Q,
I am definitely sympatico. One thing that helps me a lot is to take notes to summarize sections after I've read them. If your memory is crappy, keep the sections short, and your summary can be a single sentence.The other thing I do sometimes is ask myself before a chapter or section "why the heck am I reading this section" sometimes there's a good answer "Freud's seduction theory is definitely related to his later theory of psychosexual development; and I need to know that for the test..." sometimes there's no good answer "This section is bullsh*t, and it's poorly written and makes no sense... on to the next section"
When I'm done reading that section on Freud's seduction theory, I talk to myself aloud. "Freud's seduction theory is related to ... because of 1)___ 2)___ and 3)_____
Now here's the rub. This stuff requires brain POWER. if staring and scanning books for hours is exercise it's probably a moderate walk. I'm suggesting you do some intervals of sprinting.
Note the word "interval". You can actually take little breaks, provided that you sprinted nice and fast and hard.
*******
As far as sigi's "interest" goes... well, I guess you can use your imagination to do puppet plays, or make up a rap. A drinking game -- take a swig everytime the author writes "the Id"... hmmm that could deteriorate quickly.Meanwhile, I'm about 30% done with one paper and 50% done with another. Both due in about 48 hours. (curses)
-Ll
Posted by no_rose_garden on November 30, 2008, at 19:08:00
In reply to Re: Motivation techniques needed, posted by llurpsienoodle on November 30, 2008, at 19:01:24
llurpsie kind of hit on this...but I think scheduled breaks are very important.
Each hour, i usually take a 10 min break if I have some marathon studying/writing to do. It's something to look forward to and keeps from getting too burned out. Do something fun or relaxing during the break.
Posted by Sigismund on November 30, 2008, at 23:14:17
In reply to Re: Motivation techniques needed, posted by llurpsienoodle on November 30, 2008, at 19:01:24
See if you can get the past papers.
You know, the past exams.
Doing them will tell you what you don't know.
Posted by JayMac on December 1, 2008, at 2:13:34
In reply to Motivation techniques needed, posted by Quintal on November 30, 2008, at 15:51:26
I take breaks. Sometimes I take a break every minute, other times every hour. I run around my room. I go for a walk. I get in my car and run a random errand. I listen to music. I journal. I play a game. It depends on what relaxes you. Some people study better amongst noise others need quiet. If nothing is sinking in, it sounds like you need step back and do something else for a little bit. It's possible that it's deliberate. Think about why you would do this deliberately. Be curious. Explore the options.
Good luck! I feel ya!! I have a huge paper due this week and final exams next week! Fun stuff but necessary.
Take care!! =)
Posted by Quintal on December 1, 2008, at 12:33:02
In reply to Re: Motivation techniques needed » Quintal, posted by Phillipa on November 30, 2008, at 16:54:59
Yes, it is stress. Should get better when exam after this exam is over.
Posted by Quintal on December 1, 2008, at 12:49:13
In reply to Re: Motivation techniques needed, posted by Sigismund on November 30, 2008, at 17:50:10
I got a load of practice papers today. Just having a break. It might be okay.
Q
Posted by Dinah on December 1, 2008, at 12:54:49
In reply to Re: Motivation techniques needed » Phillipa, posted by Quintal on December 1, 2008, at 12:33:02
I always think of my brain as having a hard time getting on track, then having a hard time getting off track once it's on. I picture myself coaxing it onto the track of work, or at one time onto study. Once it's on, it's generally ok and rolls merrily along.
Of course, coaxing isn't easy. One thing we've discovered with my son, which reminded me that it's also true of me, is that a bit of interaction helps guide the brain into the proper frame of mind. So he might sit and stare at his studies trying to force himself to focus, and that might not be too helpful. But if we ask him to explain what he's doing, and ask questions, he perks up, explains it quite well, then finds it easier to dive in.
I also find playing moderately fast music helps. And posture and speed of speech seems to help me too.
If there's no one who can interact with you on your studies, can you ask yourself relatively interesting questions?
Mind you, I'm no poster child for motivation. My mind is an obstinate thing.
Posted by Quintal on December 1, 2008, at 13:02:09
In reply to Re: Motivation techniques needed » Quintal, posted by SlugSlimersSoSlided on November 30, 2008, at 17:54:28
Yes, I should try to even it out over the semester. I need to to organize myself better.
Posted by Quintal on December 1, 2008, at 13:12:50
In reply to Re: Motivation techniques needed, posted by llurpsienoodle on November 30, 2008, at 19:01:24
Thanks lurpsie. Brain power is definately what is missing now. I just can't seem to think.
Posted by Quintal on December 1, 2008, at 13:38:46
In reply to Re: Motivation techniques needed, posted by no_rose_garden on November 30, 2008, at 19:08:00
Thanks, I'm doing 30 min chunks and taking breaks in between. Got something to reward myself with.
Posted by Quintal on December 1, 2008, at 14:02:30
In reply to Re: Motivation techniques needed » Quintal, posted by JayMac on December 1, 2008, at 2:13:34
I think it might be feeding some sort of inferiority complex. I've never been very good at this subject anyway. I suppose it proves something if I fail completely. Good luck with your paper!
Posted by Quintal on December 1, 2008, at 14:14:05
In reply to Re: Motivation techniques needed, posted by Dinah on December 1, 2008, at 12:54:49
Thanks Dinah, I will try listening to some music. I think it would have helped to have someone go over it with me like that.
Posted by Recently on December 1, 2008, at 16:02:06
In reply to Motivation techniques needed, posted by Quintal on November 30, 2008, at 15:51:26
Wishing you some good studying tonight! The goal-reward system works best for me. After I read a chapter or an article I take a break and get a cup of tea or something nice. My finals are this week as well.
You can do it.
Posted by Quintal on December 2, 2008, at 11:32:47
In reply to Motivation techniques needed, posted by Quintal on November 30, 2008, at 15:51:26
Thanks everyone, it went alright. There were some sneaky questions but on the whole it was easier than I expected. I got at least two wrong on the first section but I made a note of them. We had to get everything right on that part or fail the whole paper. We get it back again if there's anything wrong and two weeks to hand it in again. We probably won't get the results back until after Christmas.
Q
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