<p>Hi guys, I'm a sophomore and my grades are HORRIBLE, I have all Cs with As only in health and english, my classes are hard but I'm desperately trying to push them up. I used to be smart with all As with a B here and there back in elementary and middle school but now, my procrastination has reached unbelievable limits and my work habits and organization are awful. My siblings are amazingly smart with 4.0 GPAs and 34/35 ACTS, and here I am :( I feel a little depressed at times but my family is the kind that doesn't "believe" in that kind of stuff. My parents are very supportive though and trying to help me through my grades, but I don't know how to get that motivation, organization, and to get my lowish Cs to low Bs in 2 months. It's certainly doable, but with a LOT of work. How am I supposed to get motivated? I'm sorry for the rant, but no one else seems to want to listen. PS I am planning on taking easier classes next year, I just want to finish this year strong. Worst come, I'll end with a 3.1 GPA by the end of junior year when I'm applying to colleges but my ACT is very high at a 36 already. I love my ECS and am very involved..can I get into college here in the Midwest?</p>
<p>Procrastination: Story of My Life</p>
<p>I think a lot of times I find motivation by telling myself that I can exceed expectations that are set around me if I try. Although, procrastination is generally something that’s hard to stray away from. Maybe you could set goals for yourself and try to give those ideas shape? I told myself that I have to go to the ISEF international science fair by senior year, and that determination really helps me get to work on researching when I don’t feel like it. I also told myself that I would apply to Stanford. Even if a goal is outrageous and unlikely, it could still be beneficial. Honestly, it’s the worst kind of motivational poster ever, but in my math class, there’s a poster that says “Reach for the stars and maybe you’ll touch the sky.” </p>
<p>Don’t give up, because it’s not too late to turn around your bad habits of procrastination. Start scheduling your day or ask your siblings about how they dealt with procrastination. Also, colleges love seeing an upward trend so try harder junior year. You have an ACT score of 36 so I wouldn’t be too worried. Good luck!</p>
<p>–For me, the hardest thing is getting started. Tell yourself to sit down and work for 30 minutes. If that doesn’t work, do 15 minutes. Once you get started, it’s easier to continue. If you can really only do 15 minutes at a time, do it, take a break, do it again. That’s how you get stuff done: a little at a time.
–Meet with your teachers to discuss your grades. Ask them what you can do to get them up and if they have any advice for you.
–As far as organization: make your most organized friend, your counselor, your older sibling, etc. help you! Ask them for advice, what their system is, etc. Remember, what’s simplest is easiest to maintain.
–Make sure you have a clear, quiet, clean study space. I am 1000x more productive when my desk and room are clean.
–Make to do lists! Have a little notebook where you write down the top 3 things you want to get done each day, and make sure you do them. I have a whiteboard, and it’s very satisfying to cross stuff off on it.
–Are any of your friends organized? One way to stay on track is to work with a friend. Ask them to meet you at the library/come over, and just sit next to each other and quietly work.
–Download an app (like SelfControl) that will block distracting websites.
–If you’re stressed, take deep breaths, visualize your goal, and get back to work.
Good luck! I know you can do it.</p>