school

man, school's really bugging me now. it's more my problem than a problem with school, i've been able to drift through school without putting an ounce of effort in EVER. through high school i rarely sudied for tests, studied minimally for exams, got good grades, got into engineering, and now i've got to do projects and crap. it's really pissing me off because i haven't developed any work habbits so i find it incredibly hard to sit down and work or study because i've never had to.

I've already failed one course this year because i didn't do labs, i figured i'd be able to pass even if i didn't hand them in but only after skipping two of them i read that you have to pass the lab section to pass the course. I'll be doing it in the summer so that i don't add any extra time to my degree (although according to alot of people it's difficult to complete an engineering degree in 4 years)

i really wish school had challenged me, i wish i had to work to pass school and stuff, that way i would have had to develop work habbits while school was free, but now that i'm paying for most of my school i'm getting screwed over... rather i'm screwing myself over.

the other thing is that i'm too proud to ask for help, i'm very much of the mindset of "i'll fucking do it myself, and i don't need help doing it" i never ask for peoples help studying because i generally don't need it, and i don't ask for help with work because i'm too proud. i'm really screwing myself over and it's pissing me off.

not really looking for any responses, just needed to write it somewhere.

That pretty much sounds like me right now.

That was kinda like my first year in "college"...I screwed that year up pretty good and now I'm playing catch up, it really sucks.

luckily i won't be catching up unless i fail more courses, i'll be doing this one in the summer so there isn't really any lost time.

man, school's really bugging me now. it's more my problem than a problem with school, i've been able to drift through school without putting an ounce of effort in EVER. through high school i rarely sudied for tests, studied minimally for exams, got good grades, got into engineering, and now i've got to do projects and crap. it's really pissing me off because i haven't developed any work habbits so i find it incredibly hard to sit down and work or study because i've never had to.

I've already failed one course this year because i didn't do labs, i figured i'd be able to pass even if i didn't hand them in but only after skipping two of them i read that you have to pass the lab section to pass the course. I'll be doing it in the summer so that i don't add any extra time to my degree (although according to alot of people it's difficult to complete an engineering degree in 4 years)

i really wish school had challenged me, i wish i had to work to pass school and stuff, that way i would have had to develop work habbits while school was free, but now that i'm paying for most of my school i'm getting screwed over... rather i'm screwing myself over.

the other thing is that i'm too proud to ask for help, i'm very much of the mindset of "i'll fucking do it myself, and i don't need help doing it" i never ask for peoples help studying because i generally don't need it, and i don't ask for help with work because i'm too proud. i'm really screwing myself over and it's pissing me off.

not really looking for any responses, just needed to write it somewhere.


Dude, that describes me to a T. And in a way, i think it describes a lot of engineering majors.

I had a test at 10 this morning, physics 2, Gauss's law, current and conductivity, and electric potential. When did i start really studying for it? 7:30 AM this morning. And no, I did not to well. Again.

I dont mind doing homework, but i have the damndest time studying for tests. It's like i FEAR it. I did everything in my power yesterday to keep myself from studying.

So, i don't actaully have any advice. But if you figure out how to beat acute chronic procrastination, then let me know...ya know... tomorrow.

yeah i'll figure out what to do eventually, but not tonight, got too many plans, and not tomorrow, i'm getting drunk, and not sunday, it's a day of rest, oh then school starts back up so i'll just leave it until after exams lol.

but yeah i don't mind studying all that much, i can do it and i can get results, it's just the stupid homework that i hate doing.

see, i have the same problem.
its really discouraging when all my friends are taking bullshit classes like art history and public speaking.

meanwhile, i'm in chem, calc, ect...
(not joking here. freshman chemistry is the most falied class at ODU, the second is human anatomy 457 or whatever)

i dont know. i guess i have to either beat it into my head that studying is fun, or learn to make it fun

Sounds like me too, and It'll get alot worse after this summer..

Any advise for all us who are experiencing this would be great.

Work first, relax later.

if you drift through the start of the year you get used to it. if you do your work as soon as you get it, it's so much easier.

you only really get one, maybe two chances at this.
thing is, if you screw up the first time, chances are, you'll also screw up the second.
also, when it really counts, the second time, you can't (by way of the system) get as good as you can compared to the first time around.

In short, there's a reason why some people succeed in the things they do and well, what you describe here isn't that reason.

like me and GCSEs, i slacked off when i took mine. and f**ked up.

1 B
5 Cs
1 D

second time round i worked my ass off and came out with:

3 As
4 Bs

if you work like shit off a shovel, you won't have to shovel shit in the long run.

all i will add is go to class all the time, makes learning alot easier.

you only really get one, maybe two chances at this.
thing is, if you screw up the first time, chances are, you'll also screw up the second.
also, when it really counts, the second time, you can't (by way of the system) get as good as you can compared to the first time around.
what's this about? at my university you can retake courses as much as you want (so long as you don't get kicked out of the program) and they just take the second mark, so if you do better the second time, you get a higher mark, if you do worse, you get a worse mark. the only difference is that it will be shown as retaken which really doesn't matter for anything.

then that is a difference in system that I didn't know about.
In my last university, if you failed a unit and retake it later; the best you can get is a pass grade.
(i think 40% is base pass mark)

2.2 hit the nail directly on the head. Work first, play later. I too fucked up majorly when I first started college. I was one of those people that breezed through high school with straight A's. Then I partied and fucked around and went through a few majors, and ultimately left college for awhile. When I finally got my ass in gear, ditched the community college and got into a major university, I strove hard to excel and do the best I could and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BA and then went on to graduate school. I used to blame it on not knowing what I wanted to do. I guess that's partially true but it took me until I was 25 to graduate with a BA.

At least you know what you want to do... engineering. Work then play. Don't be afraid to ask for help either. GL

^ heh, I'll be 27 when i get my BA if it all works out. Fuck.

I think I'm in the same boat as the lot of you. Not to be boastful, but I think I'm just naturally smart, must have been all the Legos growing up. K-12 was a breeze for me, but when it comes to actually studying and doing work I have zero motivation. Steel described it perfectly, like I actually fear the homework because it takes away from my free time.

Ah well, I have better things to do with my life right now then worry about going to school and getting a 'good job'. fuck that

Not to be boastful, but I think I'm just naturally smart, must have been all the Legos growing up.

and I can assure you that you are not the only person to have this idea in their head.
being naturally smart (or at the very least, not a complete idiot) isn't even half of it. Those who work hard get what they work for, whether or not they are naturally gifted in that area/field.
Whenever you hear/read an interview with the enormously succesful, you don't hear them say "I'm just naturally smart and gifted". What you do hear is about how they worked their arses off.


Ah well, I have better things to do with my life right now then worry about going to school and getting a 'good job'. fuck that
maybe.
only time will tell.

I think I'm just naturally smart, must have been all the Legos growing up

According to my IQ tests, i'm "naturally smart" too.

didn't get me good grades when i didn't work.

The funny part is, once i get started with my homework or studying, then i have no problem with it. I usually find it easier than i thought it would be, or if not, i enjoy a challenge. But getting started i just cannot do! I dont know what it is! It's very aggrivating.

The funny part is, once i get started with my homework or studying, then i have no problem with it. I usually find it easier than i thought it would be, or if not, i enjoy a challenge. But getting started i just cannot do! I dont know what it is! It's very aggrivating.

That's how it used to be for me, exact same anxiety when it came to getting started. Now I just sit my ass down and study and find that the anxiety is gone.

The whole trick to undergrad studies is really coming terms and accepting the fact that you have to jump through hoops to get your degree. Most of the work is pointless and boring, but that's just the way it is. Once you accept that, and understand that good grades are actually easy to come by as long as you're willing to put in the work, then it isn't so bad.:2cents:

being naturally smart (or at the very least, not a complete idiot) isn't even half of it.
that's why i'm having so much trouble, i never developed proper study habbits and it's catching up to me. I'm not being boastful when i say that i was smarter than the vast majority of my graduating class because it was true.

You pretty much just have to stop putting stuff off. Im the same way. Make it so that you CANT do something you like to do until you get the school work done. Thats the only way I can do it. Then once you get it done, do something rewarding.

and I can assure you that you are not the only person to have this idea in their head.
being naturally smart (or at the very least, not a complete idiot) isn't even half of it. Those who work hard get what they work for, whether or not they are naturally gifted in that area/field.
Whenever you hear/read an interview with the enormously succesful, you don't hear them say "I'm just naturally smart and gifted". What you do hear is about how they worked their arses off.



maybe.
only time will tell.
I don't ever recall saying I wanted to be 'enormously successful'.

that's why i'm having so much trouble, i never developed proper study habbits and it's catching up to me. I'm not being boastful when i say that i was smarter than the vast majority of my graduating class because it was true.
i meant to continue that but pretty much passed out.

what i meant to say was i'm not trying to be boastful when i say that i'm smarter than the vast majority of my graduating class, my math teacher even told me she thinks i have the most potential out of everyone, but it's the reason i never developed study habbits. oh well, i guess i've just got to bite the bullet and start working.

High school was a piece of cake, college hit me hard in the head though. Not that I'm not smart, I just never really learned how to study and I hate taking time out of life to do homework and study...

...Those who work hard get what they work for, whether or not they are naturally gifted in that area/field.
...


And right there is the crux of the discussion. You MUST work for it, no matter what IT is, and no matter how smart you are.

"Work before play". College is where you start getting a dose of real life; there are things you MUST do and things that you WANT to do. Learning the difference and prioritizing, and developing the willpower to do what needs to be done, first, is an important lesson that many never learn.

I had a 1.8 GPA my first year in college. I had a LOT of fun, and zero study habits. Nearly got thrown out, but they gave me one semester to straighten out. I did.

I guess it doesnt help that we are taught since kids that instant gratification is how it's supposed to be in this country, now now now! The thought of working hard for four or more years without something to really show for it until you're finished is really quite unfathomable for a lot of people.

Not that I'm the type of person who lays blame on someone else for my own faults... but I blame the media. :D

One trick that I use is to just trick yourself into doing the work. Like dangling a carrot in front of a horse. Then when you sit down you figure that you like it you'll continue till it is done. Also another trick it to open your mind with other subjects besides the one that you are studying!

Okay now for the nitty gritty...first thing first!

1 -- Read your books.
a. start by reading the title of the chapter.
b. then skim through and read all the first lines of the paragraphs.
c. lastly read the whole chapter. (this technique will get you focused)
2 -- Go over your notes the day after you take them so that you refresh your mind.
3 -- It is good to get psyched up for a test it means that you are prepared. Also has some physical effects in making the right choices.


Just some things that I was taught on good studing skills. Take a course in guidance and they will teach you. I too was a gifted student in the G.A.T.E. (Gifted And Talented Education) program in Elementary school and junior high. I forgot what I was in high school but it was some program for students with high grades. I graduated with a 4.3 GPA and then in college studying to be a doctor...boom .85 GPA. Sick and I am still trying to bring it up...now in liberal studies.

Good Luck

I don't ever recall saying I wanted to be 'enormously successful'.

the point is, you don't hear anyone simply say "i'm naturally gifted".
which kind of suggests that being naturally gifted doesn't mean squat compared to working hard, or even that being naturally gifted doesn't mean you don't have to work.

being naturally gifted doesn't mean you don't have to work.

The whole idea of being educated means that you have to work! Kind of conflicting views.

I figured it out!:screwy:

The whole idea of being educated means that you have to work! Kind of conflicting views.

how is it conflicting?

:grinno: The idea of learning means that your are taking something that you don't know about and progressing along till you learn it. This would be called work, right? So if you did nothing and still thought you were learning are you doing work? No, by the definition that we call learning you are not doing work, thus you cannot learn with out doing work. There is the conflict between learning and not working. The conflict being how can you learn with out working...you cannot so people that say that they never worked hard learning is because they just didn't think it was hard.

Thanks

that was deep.

no, not really.

ability and education are different. people with natural ability don't have to work as much to learn something that falls into their natural ability. someone's who's not gifted in that area will have to work harder to be on par.

I would say that i am naturally gifted. now, would you call sleeping in class while the professor writes on the board work? i sure as hell wouldn't, and i did better than most of the class did, without what i would consider work. by your definition i did not learn any of the material because i didn't do any work, and yet i did better than some people who "worked" and "learned" the material.

Here's a few thoughts... As someone who is naturally gifted, has gone thru the education system and is reasonably successful...

Go have a look at www.vark-learn.com (http://www.vark-learn.com) this discusses learning styles but broadly there are 4 - Visual (you understand thing visually and you use diagrams, models and outlines to help you learn), Auditory (you listen to learn), Read/Write (reading and then writing notes) and Kinesthetic (you learn by feeling, touch and doing something for yourself). I only wish earlier in the education system that I understood this as it would have made learning easier. Also explains why some intelligent folk don't do well at school (which is based around auditory and read/write) but excel when they do something practical or learn on the job... how high school dropouts become enterpreneurs..
I used to be highly competitive at sports and academics. What I learnt after a while is that the very elite folk aren't interested in beating others they are more interested in bettering their own bests (eg personal bests for swimmers) and set themselves high standards.
Work ethic is not normal neither is common sense as common as it supposed to be. Work ethic is usually taught and gifted folk often have really crap work ethic as things are easy at high school. I worked several jobs to put myself thru University (driving trucks, waiting tables, cooking, doing plumbing inspections, working in retail and customer services) to afford to eat and pay for my tuition. I got through on a B average doing a triple major Bachelor degree in Commerce in three years (I ended up doing one and one half times more final year papers than necessary because I wanted a challenge)
Gifted folk have to work hard in the real world too - my main problem in my first years working was that I was gifted and I was a disruptive little @#$% who wouldn't be told and did things faster, smarter and more innovatively than anyone else. Which was good fun but in a world of business politics this got you offside with supervisors who got showed up for having crap technical knowledge and were too lazy to understand enough about what they did so they merely copied the predecessor. It also got me transferred overseas because the firm didn't want to let me go but couldn't cope with the whining from supervisors about this smart!@#$ graduate who kept being sent out to sort out projects that were late, overbudget or going nowhere.
When I finally did get myself up the ladder, I also had to learn that when it comes to aptitude tests I score in the top 10% of executives tested for verbal comprehension and numerical reasoning. This presents some challenges - firstly it's an uncommon combination you are usually one or t'other and it also means that when given a pile of data I can comprehend it faster and process it than most folk. So I have to be careful that when I get data that I bite my tongue and then look like I have spent time reading it before I respond... as some folk perceive I'm working off the cuff and can't understand why I want to make immediate decisions without carefully considering the information (which I can't have if I've only had 5 minutes...)
Believe me, work now - play later... if you work hard, get ahead in the career, you can get to the point where you can actually don't have to slog your guts to have a decent quality of life. It also means all that work you put in now is an investment in your future. I don't write spreadsheets, model variables, write specifications and technical bulletins or manipulate OLAP data mining tools anymore - I have staff that do this... I spend most of my time in meetings coordinating projects, talking to people, developing strategy and tactics... and managing which is this weird alchemy of coaching, cajoling, pace setting and leadership...

actually I meant it is a very basic way.
you can teach any old fool that v=ir

doesn't mean that they have the aptitude to use it in all of its permutations or relate it to other basic formulae.
that's the work you have to do besides learning that v=ir

i can in a week, teach you how to perform forms in a particular school/type of kung fu.
that doesn't mean that you can fight.you have to work turning that knowledge into something more.

Would you guys agree with me if i said that european kids primary schooling is much better and/or tougher than the public schooling in the U.S., therefore preparing them much more for college?

The fact that the U.S. has many of the best colleges in the world, while at the same time has arguably the worst public primary schooling system in the world is a recipe for problems for a lot of students.

I guess in the end you can't really blame anyone else but yourself, but it does leave you with a feeling of being ripped off in high school. AH well.