Motivation - How do people do it?
Discussion
So as the title really, looking for some advice to do with motivation. Basically to cut a long story short, I've just finished my university industrial placement year and am now back in my final year. The placement year was brilliant, one of the best years of my life, since coming back to uni I've been pretty down, almost to say these last few months have been the worst of my life. This is due to the combination of going from having an awesome job, a good routine, money to do what I want, and a great girlfriend.
Now back at uni, I'm findng it relatively uninteresting for the most, I enjoy the subject but find the degree very irrelevant in a lot of ways, completely skint, girlfriend broke up with me before I came back, where I'm at uni has to be one of the most depressing places in the country, and not having a solid routine just seems to result in me wasting more time.
I just can't seem to motivate myself to get on with the work or do much. Just end up faffing around wasting time.
I'm currently training for a marathon and that seems to be the only thing keeping me sane at the moment.
So looking for some help/advice on what people do to actually get themselves off their arse to do something?
Now back at uni, I'm findng it relatively uninteresting for the most, I enjoy the subject but find the degree very irrelevant in a lot of ways, completely skint, girlfriend broke up with me before I came back, where I'm at uni has to be one of the most depressing places in the country, and not having a solid routine just seems to result in me wasting more time.
I just can't seem to motivate myself to get on with the work or do much. Just end up faffing around wasting time.
I'm currently training for a marathon and that seems to be the only thing keeping me sane at the moment.
So looking for some help/advice on what people do to actually get themselves off their arse to do something?
I think you have just found that the real word is far more exciting and that having spare money in your pocket means you can lead a more interesting life.
Knuckle down and get uni out of the way, your goal can be getting back to being in the same place you were in the last 12 months.
Knuckle down and get uni out of the way, your goal can be getting back to being in the same place you were in the last 12 months.
my 4th year after a 3rd year away was s
t too, so I completely understand.
Just keep your head down and soon you'll be out in the real world making a difference.
After a couple of years of 'making differences' in the 'real world' you'll be dying to get back to university!
Life kicks you in the nuts.
t too, so I completely understand.Just keep your head down and soon you'll be out in the real world making a difference.
After a couple of years of 'making differences' in the 'real world' you'll be dying to get back to university!
Life kicks you in the nuts.
yer thats the way im trying to see it, just get my head down get the year done then can enjoy life. Just struggling to keep on top of things.
I reckon I'm probably the least stereotypical student ever, just don't buy into the whole going out getting wasted all the time attitude where nothing seems to matter.
I reckon I'm probably the least stereotypical student ever, just don't buy into the whole going out getting wasted all the time attitude where nothing seems to matter.
Bullett said:
kev87 said:
I reckon I'm probably the least stereotypical student ever, just don't buy into the whole going out getting wasted all the time attitude where nothing seems to matter.
Probably where you are going wrong! I stopped partying in my 4th year because I was a grumpy curmudgeon. Or was it the other way round?
I was in exactly the same situation as you a few years ago, and Barnatos.
Placement - brill. Felt 'Worthwhile', learnt loads, earnt a little bit of money, coul;d afford a new car etc etc.
It took me 2 goes to finish the last year of Uni after that.
I myself posted a number of topics over a period of a couple of years - was it worth carrying on, am I wasting my time, Shall I give up etc etc.
People advised me, in the way I am advising you now.
In the end - you just have to see it as a neccesity. It is boring, but just pull your finger out of your arse and get it done. Its literally a matter of months before its over. I finished this spring.
I graduate on Tuesday - got the day off from my job which I started a few months back, and I'm loving.
I'd never, ever do it again. The work nearly drove me to lunacy.
But I dont really remember the work. I do remember all the girls and beer though.
Stick it out, its worth it.
Placement - brill. Felt 'Worthwhile', learnt loads, earnt a little bit of money, coul;d afford a new car etc etc.
It took me 2 goes to finish the last year of Uni after that.
I myself posted a number of topics over a period of a couple of years - was it worth carrying on, am I wasting my time, Shall I give up etc etc.
People advised me, in the way I am advising you now.
In the end - you just have to see it as a neccesity. It is boring, but just pull your finger out of your arse and get it done. Its literally a matter of months before its over. I finished this spring.
I graduate on Tuesday - got the day off from my job which I started a few months back, and I'm loving.
I'd never, ever do it again. The work nearly drove me to lunacy.
But I dont really remember the work. I do remember all the girls and beer though.
Stick it out, its worth it.
I know how you feel. I am about to sit a finals resit exam in a few days because I just failed one in the summer.
Set yourself targets i.e. to Get certain parts of your project done by certain dates etc.
Different people work in different ways, but I would recommend setting a comprehensive work/revision schedule. I never did it before this september and am really regretting that because it has completely changed the way I work. I now have a written log of exactly what topics I am meant to be covering on every day so if they dont get done I no longer just brush it off as: "Oh it's ok I will do it another time"
Also find an environment in which you can work effectively. I know I cannot work at home as PH or TV are too much of a distraction, so I have gone to the library every day instead.
The difference in myself is huge coming up to this exam compared to any others I have sat at uni. I feel like I did before I was about to sit A levels confident that I knew the whole course and the only way I could have problems is if one of the examiners was a complete ar*e.
Good luck.
Set yourself targets i.e. to Get certain parts of your project done by certain dates etc.
Different people work in different ways, but I would recommend setting a comprehensive work/revision schedule. I never did it before this september and am really regretting that because it has completely changed the way I work. I now have a written log of exactly what topics I am meant to be covering on every day so if they dont get done I no longer just brush it off as: "Oh it's ok I will do it another time"
Also find an environment in which you can work effectively. I know I cannot work at home as PH or TV are too much of a distraction, so I have gone to the library every day instead.
The difference in myself is huge coming up to this exam compared to any others I have sat at uni. I feel like I did before I was about to sit A levels confident that I knew the whole course and the only way I could have problems is if one of the examiners was a complete ar*e.
Good luck.
Something thats just been brought up...
It took me 4 years but eventually i worked out how I was going to finish.
Prior to this enlightenment its all too easy to get up late, saunter over make some breakfast, put the telly on... befoe you know it its half past 4 and your mooching about in your dressing gown sat on the xbox, not done any work, and off to the pub in an hour.
If you are the same mindset as me - and it sounds like you are - you will NEVER work at home. It took me to long to learn this but at least I did. I also know that I could never, ever be self employed. Thats not a 'fault', but knowing and appreciating that fact saves me from making a mistake.
You have to start treating the course like a job. Have a Working day - just like you did on placement.
Get up. make a pack up. Be in the library at 9 am. DO THE FECKING WORK. Do not leave till 5pm.
Then you are free to do as you please. Just like a job.
Seriously - its only once this clicked, that there was ever a chance of me passing.
It took me 4 years but eventually i worked out how I was going to finish.
Prior to this enlightenment its all too easy to get up late, saunter over make some breakfast, put the telly on... befoe you know it its half past 4 and your mooching about in your dressing gown sat on the xbox, not done any work, and off to the pub in an hour.
If you are the same mindset as me - and it sounds like you are - you will NEVER work at home. It took me to long to learn this but at least I did. I also know that I could never, ever be self employed. Thats not a 'fault', but knowing and appreciating that fact saves me from making a mistake.
You have to start treating the course like a job. Have a Working day - just like you did on placement.
Get up. make a pack up. Be in the library at 9 am. DO THE FECKING WORK. Do not leave till 5pm.
Then you are free to do as you please. Just like a job.
Seriously - its only once this clicked, that there was ever a chance of me passing.
snotrag said:
Something thats just been brought up...
It took me 4 years but eventually i worked out how I was going to finish.
Prior to this enlightenment its all too easy to get up late, saunter over make some breakfast, put the telly on... befoe you know it its half past 4 and your mooching about in your dressing gown sat on the xbox, not done any work, and off to the pub in an hour.
If you are the same mindset as me - and it sounds like you are - you will NEVER work at home. It took me to long to learn this but at least I did. I also know that I could never, ever be self employed. Thats not a 'fault', but knowing and appreciating that fact saves me from making a mistake.
You have to start treating the course like a job. Have a Working day - just like you did on placement.
Get up. make a pack up. Be in the library at 9 am. DO THE FECKING WORK. Do not leave till 5pm.
Then you are free to do as you please. Just like a job.
Seriously - its only once this clicked, that there was ever a chance of me passing.
Think you've hit the nail on the head with this one. Can never manage to work at home. Think the library will become my new daytime hangout.It took me 4 years but eventually i worked out how I was going to finish.
Prior to this enlightenment its all too easy to get up late, saunter over make some breakfast, put the telly on... befoe you know it its half past 4 and your mooching about in your dressing gown sat on the xbox, not done any work, and off to the pub in an hour.
If you are the same mindset as me - and it sounds like you are - you will NEVER work at home. It took me to long to learn this but at least I did. I also know that I could never, ever be self employed. Thats not a 'fault', but knowing and appreciating that fact saves me from making a mistake.
You have to start treating the course like a job. Have a Working day - just like you did on placement.
Get up. make a pack up. Be in the library at 9 am. DO THE FECKING WORK. Do not leave till 5pm.
Then you are free to do as you please. Just like a job.
Seriously - its only once this clicked, that there was ever a chance of me passing.
The hobbies aren't a problem, what with the marathion training, I'm learning the drums, and have apart time job. If anything I think maybe I'm doing too much sometimes and I'm using the time I should be studying to wind down a bit.
I've done exactly the same thing - been away for a placement year then come back to Uni - and I agree with some of the things you're feeling.
To me - this final year just feels like a means to an end.
What I've found that helps is, as mentioned, go into Uni 9-5 and work at the Library.
Also, what I've found helped is, just FORGET about your placement year, don't get all high and mighty (*I've been in the industry, YOU KIDS DON'T KNOW NOTHING*) attitude (not that I'm saying you have, of course).
I've tried to push the thoughts of my placement to the back of my head, I still have much to learn and, though I find the stereotypical studenty types as annoying as fk, I'm just getting my head down and getting on with it.
HTH
To me - this final year just feels like a means to an end.
What I've found that helps is, as mentioned, go into Uni 9-5 and work at the Library.
Also, what I've found helped is, just FORGET about your placement year, don't get all high and mighty (*I've been in the industry, YOU KIDS DON'T KNOW NOTHING*) attitude (not that I'm saying you have, of course).
I've tried to push the thoughts of my placement to the back of my head, I still have much to learn and, though I find the stereotypical studenty types as annoying as f
k, I'm just getting my head down and getting on with it.HTH
I had a work placement which I loved, then had to finish my degree, but it was awesome.
True you're back to being skint, but like an earlier poster said get your work done during the day, have the evenings off, or, as I did worked my balls off, working from 11am-1am, then going out and getting wrecked with my friends, or spend time with my gf at the time 2 - 3 times a week and when feeling less cloudy headed back to sessioning work.
It's too easy to fall into the faffing around regime, especially with a flat full of friends and games consoles, but we were all in the same boat! Break a few hours of work up with a run, xbox, drive, even food shopping (try change the scenery) and your uni work gets done good!
I work from home (on lunch now!) and can't work with the TV on, but have to work with music on!
Now I'm back in the real world with a job I wouldn't change for the world I'm glad I made the most out of enjoying final year, you can only do it once, so enjoy it!
Treat yourself, don't cheat yourself - plan the stuff that distracts you into your day in short doses... For my degree (Bsc Product Design - got a 2.1) it was at these times my best ideas came!
Also where are you at uni? Is it more depressing than Huddersfield?
True you're back to being skint, but like an earlier poster said get your work done during the day, have the evenings off, or, as I did worked my balls off, working from 11am-1am, then going out and getting wrecked with my friends, or spend time with my gf at the time 2 - 3 times a week and when feeling less cloudy headed back to sessioning work.
It's too easy to fall into the faffing around regime, especially with a flat full of friends and games consoles, but we were all in the same boat! Break a few hours of work up with a run, xbox, drive, even food shopping (try change the scenery) and your uni work gets done good!
I work from home (on lunch now!) and can't work with the TV on, but have to work with music on!
Now I'm back in the real world with a job I wouldn't change for the world I'm glad I made the most out of enjoying final year, you can only do it once, so enjoy it!
Treat yourself, don't cheat yourself - plan the stuff that distracts you into your day in short doses... For my degree (Bsc Product Design - got a 2.1) it was at these times my best ideas came!
Also where are you at uni? Is it more depressing than Huddersfield?
Edited by CpnSpankyPantz on Friday 13th November 13:11
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