How do I stay focused and stay motivated?

I think I have a problem. I am currently a sophomore biology major and this semester I am taking 3 classes (5 if you count labs).

It is already halfway through the semester and I am pretty sure I am failing every single class. I cannot for my own life seem to be able to begin to study, focus when I am studying, or even find motivation to study.

I want to get good grades and usually the couple days before a quiz or exam I get my stuff together and study really hard and feel pretty confident for the exam, but I still don’t do well on the tests though. As a biology major I have to be studying around the clock and be prepared for quizzes and tests at least a week ahead. Other biology majors I know who have graduated told me to start studying at least a week before any quiz, test, or any exam and I need to be studying and doing the work every single day right after the lecture.

But for some reason I get up and I can sometimes get started but then after a couple minutes I usually lose interest, get bored, find something else to do, or just procrastinate. Like this past weekend I had a plan set out to do work for two of my classes on Saturday morning, then Saturday afternoon going into Sunday I was going to study for a biology exam I have this week on Thursday. I ended up only studying one chapter (barely). A whole weekend wasted. I just don’t seem to be that interesting in the work where I would spend a whole day studying it. I try to take some measures like turning my phone off or using my school laptop which only has some software on it so I don’t get distracted but I always seem to wander off. I also try studying in different places in my home or going to the library to mix things up. I have talked to my parents about this but they just say that I am lazy and don’t want to put in the effort to study. I don’t know if that’s the answer I think something’s up with me, but it’s not like I cannot focus or get motivated about things at all.

I can focus on things like computers, software, how things work, building things, other fields in science, etc. This has only been a recent thing too. Ever since I started college; I think it has something to do with how in highschool I wouldn’t need to study or put in extra work to get good grades. However, I started seeing in senior year though that my grades would ever so slightly drop on tests and quizzes since I didn’t study for them. But in the class overall I still did well.

Now in college, since tests and studying are a big deal I cannot seem to focus or find motivation to stay focused to study. I really need to get my grades up since last semester I got lucky when I passed all my finals (barely) so I got to continue to the higher level classes this semester. This post is kinda long lol and it’s late and I should have been studying instead of writing this but maybe this will help me get my s*** together. Thanks

It doesn’t sound like you ever developed good study habits, since things came easily to you in HS. One of my kids used a reward system for herself – after finishing a study task, she’d give herself 15 minutes on her phone or a snack or something. She went to the library every weeknight (even Fridays for a while before going out).

No one can give you self discipline. You are going to have to find ways yourself to monitor and reward yourself for getting your work done.

Try going to your school’s career center - make an appointment and talk to a career counselor about your long term/post-grad goals.

It can be really hard to find focus or motivation when you only have a vague idea (or no idea) of what’s beyond all the academic work you’re doing. I’ve always struggled with this, and the only thing that’s helped is to start doing some post-grad planning. The plan can always change - that’s not the point - but it gives me something to look toward and reminds me that staying on track is important.

Motivation can be improved by keeping a focus on how the steps toward earning a certain degree are connected. Seek out resources at your school, career counseling, academic support counseling, mental health counseling or whatever might help. If you want a degree bad enough there are strides you can take in that direction, but maybe not completely on your own. Also, one or more of these helpers may guide you as to whether or not your current major choice is right or wrong for you.

Definitely make an appointment with a study skills or counseling center at the college asap. They have the resources to help you and direct you to greater help.

Check this for tips: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/1920853-college-is-a-step-up-from-hs-16-tips-on-doing-well-in-college.html