I'm a first-year university student. Right now, we're going over completely uninteresting topics that I’ve either already covered (or skipped) back in school. I have no motivation to complete the assignments because these subjects don’t interest me at all. I know that in the future there will be subjects I’ll enjoy, but for now, I’m stuck with all of this – and without any motivation.
As a result, I end up doing nothing all day, finding ways to distract myself just to avoid working on my university assignments. I don't like this at all because I’m not doing what I actually want to do. I "wait" until late at night, realizing I can’t procrastinate any longer, or I end up sacrificing sleep. It feels like a waste of time because I’m neither doing what I have to do nor what I want to do.
Pomodoro technique. Basically set a timer to do work for 20 mins (or even 10 minutes), then take a break. Then do it again. Sometimes this can get you over the initial hurdle of getting started. Once you get into the task you may not want to take a break anymore.
A similar trick is if you think of something else to do that's timewasting, like posting on lemmy (lol), then its ok to do it - but only after working for 10 minutes. You can still do those things but prioritize getting something done first.
Another one: go to the library to work. Initially all you have to do is go, not do the task itself. Then you're there, and there's nothing to do except for work. This can turn into card games in the library cafe lol, but then you have to choose a less popular place.
pomodoro really good. Already tried it. And tried today(remembered) and I have some results. But it's not only about pomodoro. Thank you all, guys. Even if I know about most of all this tips - I just needed to hear it.
If you have a Mac the free app Tomito in the App Store is a genuinely good pomodoro timer. There are plenty other options, even websites, but this one is my favorite so far.
I do not. This is like the core of ADHD executive dysfunction. Stuff only happens in last minute panic mode. Meds help some. Anti-anxiety meds help some too. But I got through college by, frankly, just getting better at doing stuff at the last minute. Same thing that keeps me going in the corporate world.
(The pomodoro technique mentioned by another poster is also good though. It's not a perfect solution, but in some situations it has helped me get started on something to know "I'm not committing to finishing this, I'm committing to working on it for 25 minutes. Surely I can handle suffering for 25 minutes")
I tried pomodoro earlier and tried it already today. It's very good, like it.
Someone once paid me to poke them with a stick every time I caught them not doing their assignments. Offloading executive functioning onto someone else can work
This is not great advice, but I just go the Shia Lebouf method. I just tell myself to "Just do it!". If I need to do something and there's no way around not doing it, then it's just a matter of time when that deadline happens and I'll be more stressed with cramming. So I might as well do it and get it over with.
Treats. Find something u like. Could be candy, could be a game, whatever. Use it to reward yourself when you do the thing you need to do. Even better if u can do it small. Like if doing homework for each question you finish you get a pistachio for example.
Ask about 'Independent Study' from your faculty adviser. If you don't have one, go to your Department head. If you don't have that, ask the Registrar.
Independent Study means you get to propose your own coursework and, if approved, get to do it and get credit for it. You still have to deal with faculty supervision but the subject is specific to you. Think about what you would love to learn and propose a way to get there.
