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HD7970GHZ
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HD7970GHZ "Primum Non Nocere"
 
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Default Oct 18, 2019 at 03:20 AM
  #1
Hi community,

I am having a very hard time concentrating on school work. I have been through some very traumatic stuff recently and it threw me off completely. I'm trying so hard to get back on my feet.

Any suggestions for forcing myself back to doing homework? I have literally got to plug away all weekend to catch up, otherwise I can basically kiss my grades goodbye.

Thanks,
HD7970ghz

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Default Oct 18, 2019 at 05:20 AM
  #2
Awe ((((safe hugs)))) @HD7970GHZ I'm so sorry to hear that you're struggling with trauma and schoolwork.

What helped me get through as an undergrad (which I know isn't the same as grad school) was trying to see the feelings and thoughts related to trauma as "white noise" while I moved on with the work that needed to get done for school. I wasn't in therapy (for me, therapy would have made me lose focus on schoolwork, as oppose to helping it), so I used what skills I could to make schoolwork fun and rewarding (a distraction of sorts) while making all the other feelings and thoughts as something I could process later (say, on the weekends). If you're in therapy, a therapist could help you with processing some of these things, or with trying to get through schoolwork.

How I made my lessons fun were using colored pens, pencils, and highlighters. I turned my studying notes into an art project of some kind. That build my mastery and self-efficacy, somehow.

Sometimes I made lists of assignments and then checked them off with rewards for each checkoff. That helped me accomplish my short-term goals.

When an assignment seemed overwhelming, I broke it down into manageable pieces, and I had a list to check off those manageable pieces. I rewarded myself for checking off each piece, too. I'd play a song, watch a show in-between, or simply nap for like 20 minutes. Sometimes I'd eat something tasty or burn a nice smelling candle that I had just purchased from the store.

For instance, if you have three courses and about six assignments due over the weekend (I'm overestimating here), try this:

1. Assignment 1 is the smallest and easiest assignment to finish. Break this up into two or more parts that are easy to manage. Set up the assignment, get the format all ready, and read the rubric so that you can ace the assignment. Use different colors or <in brackets> the content you are required to have to ace that assignment. You need not start on the assignment just yet, but get it set up.
2. Assignment 2 is medium and is not weighted as much as the other assignments for a great grade; this assignment can be set up in the same way as Assignment 1, but it doesn't need to get started until last because your grade is not as dependent on this assignment as the other five assignments. Place this as sixth on your priority list.
3. Assignment 3 is medium but is strongly going to influence your grades. Set up the assignment like Assignment 1 and place this as fifth on your priority list.
4. Assignment 4 requires a lot of work and attention, more so than the others, but less than Assignments 5 and 6. Your grade is not as dependent as the others, but you need to start working on it sooner than later so that you're not overwhelmed at the last minute. Break this assignment up into four or more manageable pieces. Place this as fourth on your priority list. Set it up like described for Assignment 1.
5. Assignment 5 requires a lot of work and attention, more than all the others, but less than Assignment 6. Your grade is highly dependent on this assignment, and you need to start working on it sooner than later so that you're not overwhelmed at the last minute. Break this assignment up into four or more manageable pieces. Place this as third on your priority list. Set it up like described for Assignment 1.
6. Assignment 6 requires a lot of work and attention, more than all the others, and your grade is highly dependent on this assignment. You need to start working on this sooner than later so that you're not overwhelmed at the last minute. Break this assignment up into four or more manageable pieces. Place this as second on your priority list. Set it up like described for Assignment 1.

So now you're ready with formatted papers for the completion of your 6 assignments. You've essentially worked on all six assignments right away by setting them all up, knowing the rubric/instructions that can earn you a good grade. You've also written down or typed up a priority list (maybe on Word, Excel, or on a piece of paper). Here's what the priority list will look like, based on the above:

1. Assignment 1 - do each broken up part (a) an (b). Take a break between (a) and (b). Take a break after you've completed this small assignment. Proofread and edit as necessary. Set it to the side once completed. Yay - one entire assignment (the smallest one) is complete. You'll return to all of your completed assignments later to do a final proofing before submission.

2. Assignment 6 is now on your priority 2 list. You've broken it up in to parts (6a), (6b), (6c), and (6d). You work on part (6a) for now. Take a break. Move on to priority 3.

3. Assignment 5 is now on your priority 3 list. You've broken it up into parts (5a), (5b), (5c), and (5d). You work on part (5a) for now. Take a break. Move on to priority 4.

4. Assignment 4 is now on your priority 4 list. You've broken it up into parts (4a) and (4b) only. You work on part (4a) for now. Take a break. Move on to priority 5.

5. Assignment 3 is now on your priority 5 list. You've broken it up into parts (3a) and (3b) only. You work on part (3a) for now. Take a break. Move on to priority 6.

6. Assignment 2 is now on your priority 6 list. You don't need to break this up; it is as simple as Assignment 1. You work on this assignment entirely, since it is a short assignment. You complete it. You take a break. . You proofread it and edit as necessary. You have now completed Assignment 2. Yay! Set it aside with Assignment 1 for final proofreading soon. Move on to priority 2, then priority 3, then priority 4, then priority 5 - your four last assignments.

7. Assignment 6b needs to get done. You do it. You're halfway there (only 6c and 6d left to go). You take a break once 6b is done. You move on to Assignment 5b.

8. Assignment 5b needs to get done. You do it. You're halfway there (only 5c and 5 d left to go). You take a break once 5b is done. You move on to Assignment 4b.

9. Assignment 4b needs to get done. You do it. You're done! You proofread and edit as necessary. You move Assignment 4 with the completed Assignments 1 and 2. Yay, you've completed three assignments and will proofread them soon. You take a break. Move on to Assignment 3b.

10. Assignment 3b needs to get done. You do it. You're done! You proofread and edit as necessary. You move Assignment 3 with the completed Assignments 1, 2, and 4. Yay, you've completed four out of the six assignments. You take a break and reward yourself. You move on to editing and then submitting your four completed assignments in the next step.

11. Edit/proofread Assignments 1, 2, 3, and 4 before final submission. Submit each final one as you're done editing. Once you've submitted the final fourth one, you're done with submitting and completing 4 out of 6 assignments, with only 2 assignments to go. Yay! Take a break. Reward yourself. Move on to Assignment 6, followed by Assignment 5.

12. Work on Assignment 6c. Take a break. Move on to Assignment 5c.

13. Work on Assignment 5c. Take a break. Move on to Assignment 6d.

14. Work on Assignment 6d. Take a break. Move on to Assignment 5d.

15. Work on Assignment 5d. Take a break. Move on to editing Assignment 6.

16. Work on Assignment 6, now that you've completed all parts, by editing it. Set it aside. Take a break. Move on to editing Assignment 5.

17. Work on Assignment 5, now that you've completed all parts, by editing it. Set it aside. Take a break. Move on to proofreading/editing your final two assignments 5 and 6 before submission.

18. Edit/proofread for the final time Assignment 6. Once satisfied with your final draft, submit it. Yay, you've completed and submitted 5 assignments now. Move on to your final Assignment 5.

19. You're at the home stretch! You can do it! Proofread/edit for the final time Assignment 5. Once satisfied with your final draft, submit it. Yay, all of your assignments are done and you deserve a reward, some rest, and some celebration!

(You can organize the above however you want, but if you find yourself losing interest in longer assignments, switching them up like this helps at times. You will likely not have as many assignments due over a week or even a weekend. If you do, most of those assignments would be small in nature. I find it easiest to work on the smallest and quickest assignments first followed by the hardest ones second and then the medium ones last. I switch it up a bit to keep my interests there. It's all about organizing and prioritizing. Get yourself stickers to reward yourself each time. You'll be done before you know it.)
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Default Oct 27, 2019 at 12:49 PM
  #3
For me money is a great motivator. When I was in graduate school I worked full time demanding job and had a young kid. I had hard time forcing myself to study as I was always tired but I kept looking at how much my pay would go up, and then I’d hurry up and finish my courses.

Is money a motivator for you?
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Default Oct 30, 2019 at 12:18 AM
  #4
HD, I hope you are okay. How are you doing?
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