Procrastination a Mental Block?

[Algophiliac]

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Has anyone had serious procrastination issues? This was never a problem for me in freshman year of high school, when I had stellar academic grades, but since then, it haunts everything I can't seem to motivate myself to do. My motivation is GONE. Entirely.

How can I recuperate over Christmas break? I have 2 weeks left, and I think spending a week in off mode will help? Because then I have tasks to take care of before I go back to college during that last break week.

I've tried everything to get over my procrastination issues:

taking days off--they just made me bitter about getting back to days on, and thus I get even less productive when taking days off

studying in segments--can't get back to studying after taking those small breaks every 1 or 2 hrs

avoiding medical school-related stuff--makes me bitter about getting back to contemplating medical school-related stuff

structuring my time with schedules, etc.--never follow through with schedules or etc.

rewards/punishments--nothing really matters enough to work that hard for?! psht, what is the problem with me these past few years?

🙁 What is WRONG with me?

 

[armybound]

do you do well in your classes? what year are you?

 

[Algophiliac]

do you do well in your classes?

No. 3.0 GPA 1st semester of freshman year. And the worst part is, I didn't even bother to put in the required effort because of these procrastination issues--I know I have the capabilities to get a 4.0 every semester.

And please let's not turn this into a "you can get over your crappy GPA" thread. Can we stay focused on the procrastination issues? Thanks.

 

[FlowRate]

I find that procrastination makes everything worse. Tell yourself that you CANT actually do it later and just do it. I jokingly call it "homework activation energy" aka the amount of time it takes me to convince myself to do something =P

 

[armybound]

if you're not happy with your prior results, that should hopefully motivate you more.

I'd relax over the Christmas break and just work harder next semester and pace yourself. I know I worked really hard my first block at med school and it kept me from being able to keep the pace over the semester.

 

[Algophiliac]

I find that procrastination makes everything worse. Tell yourself that you CANT actually do it later and just do it. I jokingly call it "homework activation energy" aka the amount of time it takes me to convince myself to do something =P

This gives me anxiety feelings? And I basically shut down and don't do anything all day. 🙁 It almost seems like I am subconsciously afraid of something...hell knows what that is. Obviously not failure, cause I'm getting way too accustomed to that.

 

[Algophiliac]

if you're not happy with your prior results, that should hopefully motivate you more.

It doesn't. It instead makes me care even less. If I can't make it now, why bother even trying harder, you know? 🙁

Guess to expand this I should say no successes are rewarding enough anymore, and no failures are harmful enough anymore to get me to budge. What the hell?!

I'd relax over the Christmas break and just work harder next semester and pace yourself. I know I worked really hard my first block at med school and it kept me from being able to keep the pace over the semester.

Can what I am experiencing be burnout from freshman year of high school? I was valedictorian that year, slept about 2-4 hours a night, and had serious anxiety issues. I was extremely antisocial, as well. 🙁

After that year, I told myself I can't function this way anymore...and had a serious crash and burn session that summer of doing absolutely nothing. Then I could never get my momentum or superior academic performance back ever again. 🙁

 

[FlowRate]

This gives me anxiety feelings? And I basically shut down and don't do anything all day. 🙁 It almost seems like I am subconsciously afraid of something...hell knows what that is. Obviously not failure, cause I'm getting way too accustomed to that.

I'm no psychologist, but I know what you mean to a lesser degree. I think it's a perceived negative feeling that you get from doing homework. Something like the hell you mentioned of 2-4 hours of sleep every night in order to maintain the top rank in your class. Find ways to enjoy your homework. Maybe reward yourself after completion of a major assignment?

 

[Global Warming]

I would ban myself from SDN and completely focus on doing nothing but fun stuff during break.

Do not post on SDN.

Do not read posts on SDN.

Do not log onto SDN.

I realize that you naturally want to go on this website, but you already know everything you need to know about med. school app. I'm pretty sure SDN hurts you more, now, then it helps. Diminishing returns. No one can really say anything to motivate you. I tried when I PM'd you, remember? Everything I said in the PM, you have just did the opposite. So the truth is, some people naturally have motivation and some do not. Maybe you'll be the latter. I hope not, but honestly...get off SDN.

 

[Algophiliac]

I'm no psychologist, but I know what you mean to a lesser degree. I think it's a perceived negative feeling that you get from doing homework. Something like the hell you mentioned of 2-4 hours of sleep every night in order to maintain the top rank in your class. Find ways to enjoy your homework. Maybe reward yourself after completion of a major assignment?

That makes sense, but I can't find anything rewarding enough to work hard for. And it was never ever a problem for me before, because I just loved learning and would do the work out of curiousity and genuine interest. People who complained about tests and reading always perplexed me...I loved that stuff so much! But for some reason their procrastination issues, irresponsibilities, and everything else transferred to me when I became more social sophomore year of high school. They even teased me for actually loving subjects at school.

I don't want to be a hermit, because that can't look good on medical school applications either!

 

[Global Warming]

It doesn't. It instead makes me care even less. If I can't make it now, why bother even trying harder, you know? 🙁

Guess to expand this I should say no successes are rewarding enough anymore, and no failures are harmful enough anymore to get me to budge. What the hell?!



Can what I am experiencing be burnout from freshman year of high school? I was valedictorian that year, slept about 2-4 hours a night, and had serious anxiety issues. I was extremely antisocial, as well. 🙁

After that year, I told myself I can't function this way anymore...and had a serious crash and burn session that summer of doing absolutely nothing. Then I could never get my momentum or superior academic performance back ever again. 🙁

Freshman year of high school. What's that?

You're in college now, why are we still talking about high school? Forget your prior accomplishments in the past b/c they will help your medical school admissions just about as much as water wants to mix w/ hydrocarbons.

Yes. You are probably burnt out, but so am I. I'm sick of studying for the MCAT, but I'm still here studying for it everyday. You get sick of studying and complain, change that! If you don't, I promise that you will end up being a washed up "use-ta-be-pre-med".

Use break to think your life over and allow yourself to miss school...then when classes is back in session, KICK ASS.

 

[Algophiliac]

I would ban myself from SDN and completely focus on doing nothing but fun stuff during break.

Do not post on SDN.

Do not read posts on SDN.

Do not log onto SDN.

I realize that you naturally want to go on this website, but you already know everything you need to know about med. school app. I'm pretty sure SDN hurts you more, now, then it helps. Diminishing returns. No one can really say anything to motivate you. I tried when I PM'd you, remember? Everything I said in the PM, you have just did the opposite. So the truth is, some people naturally have motivation and some do not. Maybe you'll be the latter. I hope not, but honestly...get off SDN.

*sighs* You're probably right. Too bad there's nothing fun to do here with my family. 🙄

What irks me is this never used to be a problem. I used to read medical books or class textbooks for fun!! The motivation levels were through the roof. I can't understand why I now behave the way I do, and the mental block drives me crazy.

I don't know where else to go but SDN to find anyone who can relate personally and help me understand my problem.

 

[armybound]

Not really sure what you're expecting out of this thread if every response is going to be "I can't, I can't, I can't."

 

[Algophiliac]

Not really sure what you're expecting out of this thread if every response is going to be "I can't, I can't, I can't."

I'm sorry...I know I'm being difficult.

Global Warming, something you said spurred a helpful thought. Whatever my problem is, it has to do with my past. I need to let go of that...of what semi-worked in getting good grades...and start over. Clean my slate, I guess. Stop worrying about a past I can't seem to live up to and family that shouldn't be controlling me anymore.

 

[SparkleMotion]

I experienced a burn out from taking classes year round. What worked for me was to just do it. Do whatever you need to do, and eventually it'll pass. Make sure you have some hobbies outside of your premedical career.

 

[BlueElmo]

I would ban myself from SDN and completely focus on doing nothing but fun stuff during break.

Do not post on SDN.

Do not read posts on SDN.

Do not log onto SDN.

I realize that you naturally want to go on this website, but you already know everything you need to know about med. school app. I'm pretty sure SDN hurts you more, now, then it helps. Diminishing returns. No one can really say anything to motivate you. I tried when I PM'd you, remember? Everything I said in the PM, you have just did the opposite. So the truth is, some people naturally have motivation and some do not. Maybe you'll be the latter. I hope not, but honestly...get off SDN.

This advice here is really golden. Take it to heart.

 

[Global Warming]

Not really sure what you're expecting out of this thread if every response is going to be "I can't, I can't, I can't."

Agreed. OP, if you can't find anything fun to do w/ your time off, you may as well not live. Again, I have said all this before in my PM to you. I'm sadden that you have learned nothing from what I was saying. Personally, I can name a million things I want to do w/ time off.

1. Call of Duty MW 2

2. Basketball

3. Social stuff

4. Watch TV

5. Family stuff

6. Hang out w/ brothers

7. Read a novel

8. Stay up late watching videos on youtube.

9. Volunteer

10. Exercise

11. Talk to my parents.

12. Play with my neice.

I typed all this w/o even thinking about it. I work very hard in the day, but look forward to my time off a night. I can do any of these above things in that time and enjoy them very much. Stop talking about school, stop thinking about school, stop worrying about what "how it will look like to med school", be a teenager. I assume you still are. Okay, getting off, I have to do stuff. I finished studying and am now investing leisure time on you.

Let me end it with this, the world will continue spinning w/ or w/o you. Whether you live or not, society will continue w/o blinking even once. However, being a physician...you have the opportunity to do something for the world and hopefully be remembered by more than just family members. If this isn't motivation enough, you're finished. In fact, if after all people have said on SDN and my PM isn't enough, I hope you fail.

Good luck OP! Go enjoy break!

 

[Narmerguy]

Not really sure what you're expecting out of this thread if every response is going to be "I can't, I can't, I can't."

lol

 

[westeastmount]

I am not an expert, but a fellow procrastinator. The key is figuring out what you need. If you know you need 3.xx gpa to get into med school then get it. Try not making schedule but rather a list of tasks ie. every week I will study 2 hours for each hour of lecture. Do whatever it takes to force yourself to do this. Don't fool yourself, you will slip up and not work every day. The key is rather to set yourself deadlines: You KNOW you can't get the GPA you need if you don't study, now all you need to do is convince yourself that you can only achieve this by fulfilling your tasks every week. Even if you procrastinate, stay up late the last night each week to get it done. If nothing else, you'll hate this and be sure to get some more studying done before hand etc.

 

[lstone13]

To-do lists always do the trick for me ad might for you as well. That gives me the opportunity to be a "productive procrastinator." For instance, instead of doing the top 2 items on my list, I just get more of the easier, less important tasks out of the way until I know that I must finish the top items.

 

[tennisball80]

When you study or take a break, do you use a timer?

Go purchase a timer and start count down. Remember, always obey the timer.

 

[Drexon]

This gives me anxiety feelings? And I basically shut down and don't do anything all day. 🙁 It almost seems like I am subconsciously afraid of something...hell knows what that is. Obviously not failure, cause I'm getting way too accustomed to that.

Perhaps you're not afraid of failure but rather you're afraid of trying.
Let me explain:
You're afraid of trying IE doing your best. That's why you're content with being average. Because being average doesn't exactly hurt you. You don't get rewarded [deans list] nor chastised [ academic probation ]. Being average simply allows you to get by.
But let me get back on the right track.
You're afraid of trying because you feel like if you DID try you wouldn't be at the top or you wouldn't get the 4.0 So you make up excuses for yourself to not try IE procrastination. Well sure you were the top in high school but perhaps when you transitioned over into college you feel like you're not that special someone anymore.
Haha perhaps I'm over analyzing this. But this is because I feel the exact same way. I was afraid to try because I was afraid that I won't be the best [ haha it's not always about the A].
Anyhoo..
if you're worried about being over worked and burnt out then just develop what many people have suggested as ways to not procrastinate.
I personally keep a very packed schedule. I've always got things planned during the day. The only time i have to procrastinate is late at night [haha like right now] where i can sort of unwind. The more dense my schedule and the busier I am... I become the most productive person.
NOTE RESULTS MAY VARY- not many people can handle an overpacked schedule because it may overwhelm people.
By overpacking my schedule I mean that I would join and commit myself to club activities, shadowing, research [haha this was a black hole] , studying, classes, roomate time, gf time, friend time, workout =)
So I usually have my whole day planned.
Haha my friends know that I usually hate people who cancel on my plans because it really throws a wrench in my system 😡

 

[mnoon1]

there is no cure

im the same way, the only way i write a term paper is when i know its due in less than 24 hours... its more of an adrenaline rush for me i guess

btw how can you have senioritis as a freshman? left over from high school?

like everyone else said, go do something fun, no not a walk in the park fun, real fun, sky diving/ rock climbing/ road trip kind of fun; then take a deep breathe and get back to it.

change your high school habits and get some nerdy friends that love studying as much as you do!

 

[Global Warming]

Stupid multi post..

 

[Global Warming]

there is no cure

im the same way, the only way i write a term paper is when i know its due in less than 24 hours... its more of an adrenaline rush for me i guess

btw how can you have senioritis as a freshman? left over from high school?

like everyone else said, go do something fun, no not a walk in the park fun, real fun, sky diving/ rock climbing/ road trip kind of fun; then take a deep breathe and get back to it.

change your high school habits and get some nerdy friends that love studying as much as you do!

 

[Global Warming]

Multi post...?

 

[Global Warming]

Multi post..?

 

[z31]

- There's nothing wrong with you. I think you're freaking out about a situation that's actually quite common: you were a big fish in a little pond when you were in high school, and now you're an average fish in a big pond. But instead of panicking, recognize that this is what college is about. Most people go through this. Trust that you're supposed to struggle, **** up, and adapt, discarding old strategies for newer ones that will take you to a whole new level of achievement.

- I second what a previous poster said that maybe you are afraid of trying, because if you try and you fail, then it means you're not as capable as you thought you were. But in reality, it's better to go after something with energy and determination. What's 1000 times worse than failing is wasting your time with moaning and half-assed attempts because then you don't even have anything to show for your efforts.

 

[Algophiliac]

Perhaps you're not afraid of failure but rather you're afraid of trying.
Let me explain:
You're afraid of trying IE doing your best. That's why you're content with being average. Because being average doesn't exactly hurt you. You don't get rewarded [deans list] nor chastised [ academic probation ]. Being average simply allows you to get by.

This, exactly.

But let me get back on the right track.
You're afraid of trying because you feel like if you DID try you wouldn't be at the top or you wouldn't get the 4.0 So you make up excuses for yourself to not try IE procrastination. Well sure you were the top in high school but perhaps when you transitioned over into college you feel like you're not that special someone anymore.
Haha perhaps I'm over analyzing this. But this is because I feel the exact same way. I was afraid to try because I was afraid that I won't be the best [ haha it's not always about the A].

After reading that and something Global Warming wrote, I think that you may have gotten close to the actual situation. Whether I become a physician or not, whether I try hard or not, whether I succeed in life or not...the world will go on turning without me. I am afraid that even if I do make it into medical school, I will just be taking the place of someone potentially more dedicated and intelligent than me. Someone without excessive mental barriers that prevent success, basically. I feel unnecessary and useless to the world.

I feel like if I'm not the best, there's no place for me. Does that make sense? This was the motivation behind my stellar grades in freshman year of high school. I felt like I had to prove myself, because everyone below number one might as well not be attending the school at all. Unfortunately, now, I know there's no realistic way I can be the best in college.

Anyhoo..
if you're worried about being over worked and burnt out then just develop what many people have suggested as ways to not procrastinate.
I personally keep a very packed schedule. I've always got things planned during the day. The only time i have to procrastinate is late at night [haha like right now] where i can sort of unwind. The more dense my schedule and the busier I am... I become the most productive person.
NOTE RESULTS MAY VARY- not many people can handle an overpacked schedule because it may overwhelm people.
By overpacking my schedule I mean that I would join and commit myself to club activities, shadowing, research [haha this was a black hole] , studying, classes, roomate time, gf time, friend time, workout =)
So I usually have my whole day planned.
Haha my friends know that I usually hate people who cancel on my plans because it really throws a wrench in my system 😡

I am exactly like you. I function best when there's literally no time for me to breathe, lol. As long as my time is structured with activites, I can focus and get a lot of stuff done. But as soon as this unstructured "study" time materializes out of nowhere for me, I can't seem to stop procrastinating on the internet, with computer games, talking to others, sitting and staring blankly at my textbooks, etc.

But unfortunately I need to study. And I need to make time for it. Is there any way to structure this study time? The to-do lists sounds like a good idea. I already plan out my days hourly, and even subdivide my study times by chapters and etc, but this obviously never works out as planned, so I have to keep altering the schedules throughout the day, which is a huge waste of my precious time. Maybe an initially more flexible structure will be more helpful, instead.

And yeah, Tennis, the timer thing semi-works (at least for non-academic stuff so far), actually. I just tried it. 😛

 

[Global Warming]

This, exactly.



After reading that and something Global Warming wrote, I think that you may have gotten close to the actual situation. Whether I become a physician or not, whether I try hard or not, whether I succeed in life or not...the world will go on turning without me. I am afraid that even if I do make it into medical school, I will just be taking the place of someone potentially more dedicated and intelligent than me. Someone without excessive mental barriers that prevent success, basically. I feel unnecessary and useless to the world.

I feel like if I'm not the best, there's no place for me. Does that make sense? This was the motivation behind my stellar grades in freshman year of high school. I felt like I had to prove myself, because everyone below number one might as well not be attending the school at all. Unfortunately, now, I know there's no realistic way I can be the best in college.



I am exactly like you. I function best when there's literally no time for me to breathe, lol. As long as my time is structured with activites, I can focus and get a lot of stuff done. But as soon as this unstructured "study" time materializes out of nowhere for me, I can't seem to stop procrastinating on the internet, with computer games, talking to others, sitting and staring blankly at my textbooks, etc.

But unfortunately I need to study. And I need to make time for it. Is there any way to structure this study time? The to-do lists sounds like a good idea. I already plan out my days hourly, and even subdivide my study times by chapters and etc, but this obviously never works out as planned, so I have to keep altering the schedules throughout the day, which is a huge waste of my precious time. Maybe an initially more flexible structure will be more helpful, instead.

And yeah, Tennis, the timer thing semi-works (at least for non-academic stuff so far), actually. I just tried it. 😛

Just got done playing COD and can't seem to get any good killstreaks going..crap. OP, I advise you get this game so I can show you that the spanking you took in your classes is nothing compared to what I will give you after we play a couple rounds of Capture the Flag. Since you keep talking about high school, I will provide epic ownage so bad that you'll be sent back to freshman year of high school. Anyways, here's a clip of the game.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJv7nAZWsxs[/YOUTUBE]

 

[Drexon]

After reading that and something Global Warming wrote, I think that you may have gotten close to the actual situation. Whether I become a physician or not, whether I try hard or not, whether I succeed in life or not...the world will go on turning without me. I am afraid that even if I do make it into medical school, I will just be taking the place of someone potentially more dedicated and intelligent than me. Someone without excessive mental barriers that prevent success, basically. I feel unnecessary and useless to the world.

I feel like if I'm not the best, there's no place for me. Does that make sense? This was the motivation behind my stellar grades in freshman year of high school. I felt like I had to prove myself, because everyone below number one might as well not be attending the school at all. Unfortunately, now, I know there's no realistic way I can be the best in college.

Algo bottom line : Not everyone can be THE BEST but you sure as hell can be in the top bunch =) I've learned to let go of the need to be the best but rather trying my best and doing the best that I possibly can. It's a mental thing you need to overcome. For heavens sake, there can only be one gold medal in the olympics =) But does that deter people from still racking their hearts out ? No ! Just keep that in mind.

Haha if you're worried that you took a place of a more deserving individual in med school then don't worry about that. Med school choose you because they're a great at looking at a character of an individual. They won't take someone who they think won't cut the program nor would they take someone that's not dedicated etc. Don't sweat it. If you've gotten in then you're worthy in a sense. But likewise if you don't get in, it doesn't necessarily mean that you're not worthy but rather you just haven't SHOWN how worthy you are. But don't get arrogant or have a sense of entitlement that med school SHOULD BE YOURS! Be humble about it !

Anyway about the procrastination during study time: remove factors that will hinder you from studying effectively. Internet and other distractions. Go to a very quiet place with NO WIFI or something? No one can help manage how you study but yourself.

IMO: You'll do fine if you get ur grades up and get into med school because i think you've got the right mentality. BEING HUMBLE! [don't be too humble tho 😛 ]