Help--I can't seem to do any of my work.

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>I wouldn't quite admit this in person. But I feel comfortable here because it's anonymous.</p>

<p>To give you some background, I'm currently a senior, ranked #1 out of ~900, pretty involved in school, etc. You'd think (or at least, I would think) that I should be rather responsible.</p>

<p>Yet I've been having tons of difficulties doing my work. I don't know--it's a sense of pure dread, as if I'm <em>scared</em> of my homework and extracurricular obligations. I always feel as if I can't possibly do everything, and then somehow, this degenerates into doing nothing. </p>

<p>I routinely don't start my homework until 2 or 3 a.m. (and subsequently fall asleep on it). I don't study for exams any more. I've already skipped several school days just to avoid writing/turning in essays (I'm a published writer, so essays shouldn't even be particularly challenging). I have 400 pages of reading due next week, none of which I've completed (despite having had several hours of "free time" over the past two nights) although I know that I won't have any time to read this weekend.</p>

<p>What's more, I'm disappointing a lot of people. I was supposed to be organizing several fundraisers....and I really just--it's completely terrible, and I feel like (heck, I <em>am</em>) a horrible person, but I've barely gotten started. In my mind, the guilt just grows exponentially: around the world, roughly one in three people survive on less than $2 daily. I'm just one person, and I probably can't do much, but even a fundraiser that raises $100 could potentially save lives. There is absolutely no way to justify my lack of initiative.</p>

<p>I also founded a student publication this year. Guess what? I've more or less let it slip through the cracks. And I know lots of the writers were very excited. Lots of readers were very excited. And I know I've completely let all of them down.</p>

<p>I mean, I'm perfectly aware that I just...I absolutely can't be this reckless and irresponsible. "I don't want to do _____" is by no means an acceptable excuse, and yet I can't seem to be productive. In fact, when I try to make myself do my work, I often break down crying. For no apparent reason. </p>

<p>While I've always had a few self-discipline and time management issues, the problem has recently escalated to a dangerous level. </p>

<p>I considered seeing a guidance counselor, perhaps. But I don't feel like I can. The conversation would be along these lines: "By the way, Mrs. So-and-So, I know you've probably heard great things about me (pardon my arrogance), but you know what? I hate my life. I can't get anything done these days. Everything is rapidly spiraling into failure. And there's no apparent cause for any of this." </p>

<p>That sounds ridiculous. Especially given that there are students who actually have legitimate problems--unstable family finances, family deaths, suicidal thoughts, etc. </p>

<p>What should/can I do? Is this just a phase? Has anyone been in a similar situation?</p>

2

<p>senioritis!</p>

3

<p>it sounds like you’re burned out. the best way to just start your work, I’ve found, is to put yourself somewhere where you have no choice but to work. I find going to the library and staying put until closing time forces me to start my work even when I’m terrified of it. I know how you feel… when there’s a huge amount of work to be done, even if you KNOW that you have to do it eventually and that procrastination only will make it worse, you still put it off/ignore it. good luck! remember, you’re almost finished with all this!</p>

4

<p>I’m glad I got my senioritis out of my system last year… I had a really bad case of junioritis where I just didn’t want to do anything. It took a while, but I eventually realized that I had goals in life and I would need to start working towards them all the time if I ever wanted to reach them.</p>

<p>Just keep in it man and it’ll get better. In a few weeks you’ll be back to normal.</p>

5

<p>Seriously, you should talk with someone. You sound so burned out that you may be clinically depressed. At the very least, cut back on some ECs.</p>

6

<p>This happens to me a lot… I find I am generally productive at school but once I get home I turn on the computer and have NO motivation.</p>

<p>Perhaps you could try working in other place, where you are motivated? Turn off your internet/computer/put all distractions away?</p>

<p>Maybe it’ll pass? Good luck!</p>

7

<p>I know how you feel man, I’m getting so burned out by school and college applications this year. Find a way to take some time off for your mental sanity, I guarantee you’ll thank yourself for the refresher. Sounds like you need to talk to your teachers/EC people and work out a way you can just get a breather then get back on your feet. Also, if possible, find something to motivate you. Anything. Right now, for me at least, that’s the hope that when first semester is over I can maybe remedy my lack of a social (and complete lack of love) life throughout high school.</p>

8

<p>I think this where the shift in perspective happens. Better than most, but…"</p>

9

<p>bang a girl. A HOT GIRL. Then go back to your work.</p>

10

<p>why not to talk to your parents who are your best source after all?</p>

11

<p>

Fixed…</p>

12

<p>Z, I’m in exactly the same–or at least a very similar–position. #1 rank, Student Body President, Yearbook Editor, 5 APs, and so forth. But all my motivation completely dropped. I stare at my homework with this inability to read it, or so it seems. Really, its easy stuff, but I guess I absolutely don’t care. </p>

<p>I had Junioritis last year, but it was not like this.
Senioritis, critical condition?</p>

<p>No solution yet and I think backfing’s advice would just make things worse. For real.</p>

13

<p>To be honest I would just go work out. I get incredibly tense and distracted when I haven’t either ran or lifted in say 2 or 3 days. Then afterwards I just feel completely refreshed, and I’m motivated to do whatever. I think everyone just needs to be able to let off steam sometimes.</p>

14

<p>You need a vacation. Seriously. Take a weekend, or even a day off school, and do something you LIKE to do! Something that doesn’t involve work, stress, or anything related to school. You are burned out–like me, like most seniors around CC-- you have been working non-stop for 4 years, and now that the end is so close, it gets hard to focus. So go take a hike, have a movie marathon, take a road trip. Hit the sleep button on your life and just take a few days for yourself.
Best wishes!</p>

15

<p>Yo dude, I know how your feeling… Although it’s easy to just call this kind of stuff senioritis, this is deeper than that. It’s not just that you’re not doing the work because you are too lazy to do it and are too busy partying etc., it’s a deeper psychological problem. You seem to have developed some sort of anxiety, which is completely NORMAL given the outstanding success you’ve had in the past along with your many current responsibilities. If possible I would try to drop a couple extracurriculars or maybe a class (if you still can at this point in the year). If not I would definitely recommend seeing your guidance counsleour or school psychologist and talk about how your feeling. They could likely talk to your teachers and ask them to give you some leeway for a couple weeks while you work on getting back into the swing of things.</p>

16

<p>Okay, despite all the jokes and comments in this thread I think you need to take a second to seriously look at yourself. You are such an accomplished and good person - rank one out of over 900 kids? You should be so proud of yourself! Think about all of the good you have done, not all the good that there is left to do. It is obvious from your writing that you are an active member of the community and have helped many people.</p>

<p>Take a moment to think about everything you have accomplished in your life. If it helps, write it down. Where do you want to go to school? It seems that you have a chance at schools like Harvard, Princeton, etc. Just give a glance over your years in high school and how hard you have worked to get where you are now. Think about all of the dedication you have poured into your school work, your community, and towards your future. I know it is difficult, and you are feeling burned out, but you are SO close to the finish line! Don’t let it all go to waste now.</p>

<p>Everyone goes through a moment in their life where they must do things that they do not want to do. The only way to get through this stage is to push yourself and force yourself to stay focused on the great times that are to come. Think about it: you only have, what, a little over two quarters left? You can do this! Get motivated about all that you are doing and will do in the future. What are your goals, what do you aspire to be? Maybe you can make yourself a schedule. Detail what you are supposed to do hour to hour, and then follow it. Go to the library so you can physically sit down and make yourself do what you need to do. Give yourself a catch up day, I can almost promise you that you will feel better once you get some of this work off of your shoulders.</p>

<p>I think you should consider talking to someone else, outside of the internet. If you do not feel comfortable talking about it with family, I suggest a psychologist. You just need someone who will listen to you, who you can rant to about your troubles and how you feel. Seeing a psychologist doesn’t mean that you’re weak. In my opinion, it takes a stronger person to admit they might need some outside help. And it’s always worth a shot.</p>

<p>But really, you should be proud of yourself. Please don’t get down and think that you are a horrible person because of one project in many that you are slacking on. You have done so much and you have such a bright future ahead of you; embrace it!</p>

17

<p>I have a very similar situation. I’m currently 1 out of 300 students and suddenly my grades are dropping. I studied very hard for this one bio test and I did worst than a lot of the kids that I usually do better than in other classes. Now I’m starting to drift off, I can’t focus in school anymore. I put off homework and I’ve lost my motivation. I don’t think its because of one test, but I think its because of everything. I’ve lost my edge in physics that I used to have. I’m spending more time just doing nothing and thinking about everything that there is left to do. I know that I could do spend more time doing work but I’ve lost my drive because I believe I lost my ability. I am not sure what to do either. I feel as if my intelligence has left me and as a result my good work ethic has also. I am constantly doubting myself and it seems that effort will not fix my situation. I’ve already tried to have a positive outlook on things and to think that I haven’t lost my edge but its like I’m lying to myself and my mind is stuck. I need to figure out a way to get myself back to the way I was without consciously trying to do it.</p>