<p>Hello, everyone. </p>
<p>I've posted in this forum before about anxiety, and you have all graciously helped me learn how to try and relax and lessen my expectations. I feel that I've been getting a lot better the past month and a half, but now I've been experiencing a different kind of problem. </p>
<p>The past week or so, I have all this homework to do, but I just don't care. I care about it in that I know it needs to get done, but I just don't do it!! I WANT to get stuff done, I TRY to wake up early to get a head start, I START to do work, but my motivation dies after 45 minutes and I grow very restless and antsy. And now I'm worried that I'm going to fall terribly behind... </p>
<p>I've earned some great grades on tests and projects, and unless this issue gets the best of me, I'm on the path of getting 4.0s in all my classes. I'm smart in that I retain information I learn in class and can apply it, but I'm about a month behind in reading for one class (though I get the concepts) and have tons of research to start for a major project due in 2 1/2 weeks. And I'm not as motivated and innately curious and passionate about learning French. I find myself just doing the bare minimum and then catching up as I go. </p>
<p>Is this just a big crash and aftermath of long-built-up anxiety? What can I do? How can I catch up? I have one month left of my first year of college, and I DONT want to screw it up. </p>
<p>Thank you so much for your time. </p>
<p>~harvest</p>
<p>Sounds like the classic fight or flight response. You’re fleeing until it’s time to panic and start fighting. If true, a therapist should be a great help in figuring out as to why you’re doing it. GL</p>
<p>A therapist may be able to help with this. You could be alternating between a state of anxious stimulation and depressed inaction, and neither extreme is healthy. There might even be meds that could help you.</p>
<p>I hope you will see someone now rather than later, so that you can finish with support from a counselor of some sort, which might also provide some accommodations if you feel paralyzed.</p>
<p>In the meantime, try to get the work done asap if you can.</p>
<p>And congratulations on the good work you have done so far this year.</p>
<p>Maybe you need to take breaks from studying. A session of 45 minutes is not bad. Could you take a little walk at that point or do something that feels like a break and then go back to work for another 45 minutes? Focusing for hours at a time on difficult material may be self-defeating. Even when I’m doing housework I find it goes better if I build in breaks and rewards. You could set a timer for the breaks too, like 45 min of studying and then a 15 min break. Make sure you are eating right and keep a glass of water nearby to sip on. By eating right, I mean some veggies and fruits and a protein source to keep your blood sugar steady.</p>
<p>I found when you look at the whole picture of a very large task, it can seem overwhelming and hopeless. Try breaking things up into smaller parts that are manageable, and just keep plodding along. Any progress is better than no progress. I think you’re trying to do everything instead of trying to do what you can actually do, so you just give up.</p>
<p>I’m not a psychologist, but it could be mild depression as well. It sounds like you’re really overwhelmed. The feeling of “not caring” is very indicative of depression. It could also be a defense mechanism for your anxiety. If you don’t care, then you won’t get anxious about it. However, in the end, you’re making things worse because the work will just keep piling up.</p>
<p>Maybe you should visit the school psychologist and get their take on the situation. They may be able to help you get back on track.</p>
<p>Your other problem might be good old spring fever! ;)</p>
<p>Contact your student services place(s). Every college has resources to help students- it may be within a dorm or a whole university counseling service. They can plug you into the proper help. It could be help groups to therapy or something in between.</p>