Hi, I'm taking my A-level exams (just before university for those not
in UK) in Late May through June in Biology, Chemistry and English
Language but I have no motivation to revise! I've applied to do
medicine and have a conditional offer and so I really need to study
and get really good grades but I think I'm just too lazy and too
easily distracted. I always give it up to watch TV or go on the
computer etc. and I'm only doing a little bit, mainly at school (which
is going to go on study leave soon). I think I do it at school because
there's nothing better to do, no TV etc. I jsut can't get into it.
I really need motivation or tips and things like that! Please help me!
I need some really practical things, not just like 'Think of your
career in medicine and how much you want it' type stuff because I know
all that and for some reason it doesn't help - it isn't enough. Maybe
I just can't connect the two!
Anyway please help me and if I graduate in 5 years, I'll make sure to
give you the best possible care if you come into hospital lol!
Thanks, all comments welcome!
Ed

When I went to university, I found that I could study best at one of
the libraries on campus, because everybody else was doing the same
thing.

Write down a list of ten things you want to do.  Just write it down as
quickly as you can.

Put the list in some order of priority.

Hopefully you will have something medical, near the top of your list.

That should give you some motivation.

_------------

2nd way  Get a kitchen timer.  Set it for a half hour or so.

Put all the study materials away.  Sit in a chair. Back straight. Feet
flat on the floor. Do nothing. no tv,  no talk only topic of though is
what you are not doing, Only If you really want to study, can you
break the do nothing period.  Might surprise you.  Tic tic tic tic
rick

Stan, yeah I find the same thing.
When study leaves begin, I guess I could go to the local library -
then I'd be there for a long time and have no distractions.

Red, liking the 2nd way; do something boring to get out of doing
something more boring!
Thanks all so far!
Ed

Good suggestions.  It might help to tell everyone around you that you
want to study and that you admit to your problem, and that you will
welcome and respect their active support, including reminding you when
they catch you watching TV, etc.  That goes for your parents, too,
wherever they are.
Having "outed" yourself to your weakness and commitment will  - should
-  make it more difficult for you to practice "escape", to yourself
and in front of others.

Congratulations on getting so far, now get with it!

Myoarin  (an experienced procratinator)

PS:  What really helped me once, was a girlfriend's suggestion that I
commit myself to studies during the week and put off diversions till
the weekend.
In other words, make a schedule and allow for free time, but then stick to it.
Part of the going to the library routine that Stan suggested.

Good luck!

man, I can really relate to your case. as I have the same problem.
even though I have a university degree now, I actualy never made it
ain a one big exams. my exams had to be the american way for me to
pass. But I have NPD, which is something that destroyes your
personality as well as your life. I hope you have a different case. I
dont see a sloution for that, other than one of two options: 1) you
forget about medicine, and you go for something else that you also
like but requires much less effort and studying time. 2) Or if you
really want to stay with medicine, you sit down on your desk, write a
big sign infront of you, or can hang it on the wall, which says "IF I
dont Study I Fail". I hope that works for you. try it. Good luck

Get hold of as many past exam papers as possible.

Go through them carefully, try to spot patterns, the same question
asked in different ways, areas that they always go for
- also spot the trick questions.

You'll probably find that you get quite interested in sketching out
the answers, which will probably require some digging.

Undirected reading of revision notes and poring through textbooks is
very boring, but directed research and analysis is quite rewarding.

Try to ration the time you spend doing this, and make a conscious
effort to do something different and enjoyable in your 'free' time.

Good Luck.

Wow! Thanks for all the great responses.
In reply to one, there's nothing else I want to do other than medicine
- at all! I know that should be enough motivation but for some reason
it doesn't work too well! I'm not sure what's wrong with me!! Anyone
know any ways to get yourself 'unlazy'? I think that's what it is.
Thanks.

I'm not sure that your problem is 'laziness'

- more a matter of not knowing where to start

It is quite common, when faced with what looks like a massive task,
for people to get paralyzed
- once they have planned a route, things become easier

Using past papers, you'll be able to map the areas where your
knowledge needs reinforcement.

Incidentally, your current task is not revision, or 'learning' the
subjects, it is simply to pass the exams. That puts things in a
different light.

Some great practical advice so far. To synthesize some tips you've
already gotten, you may find it helpful to set some achievable goals
for getting into study mode. If planning for 5 days of uninterrupted
study between weekends off seems like a long stretch, take it a day at
a time and lay out your study time in blocks (at the library, if
possible), with short, timed breaks in between where you can recharge
with some activity that's relaxing for you. If you can't manage 5
hours at a stretch, try smaller segments at first, then greadually
increase the "study blocks" each day as you get used to the routine.
And, as someone earlier said, having a clear idea of something you
want to accomplish in each study "block" will really help (e.g., map
out the answers to two questions from previous exams/study guides,
review a particular section of material that you are pretty sure
you'll have to use on the exam, etc.) I don't know what kind of
resources you have in the UK for exam prep, but you could check your
library for study guides/cds/etc., if that kind of support is
available.

wow thanks everyone. All the advice is going to be put to good use! Thanks again!!!