How to Be Motivated Again

Student Lounge College Life
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<p>hi! I used to be a straight-A student who would literally cry if she got a B, but now I've turned into an apathetic student who could care less about her future. I'm currently a senior, and I got excepted to my college of choice (UCSD), but only on account of the student I used to be. It may be because of moving four times because of Hurricane Katrina and having to graduate with people I barely know, but, nonetheless, I truly want to be "motivated" again. My doctor put me on Prozac 3 months ago, but I stopped after a month becaues it was making me tired and even more apathetic; regardless, I've figured out that pills won't work for me (well, at least anti-depressants don't). I really don't think I'm depressed, though. I just don't care anymore.</p>

<p>I'm being serious about this. Any other students experience this just before college? I really don't want to make a decision now that I'll regret in the future.</p>

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<p>I know you're reading this >_></p>

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<p>...Hmm. What was the reason you wanted to go to college for? If you have just been going through the motions and are doing it for reasons other than pure desire to go and study...then take some time off. Really. Travel, read books, hang out with friends...but give your tired, over-punched brain bag a break. </p>

<p>The human psyche is a tender bear that needs to be cuddled once in a while.</p>

<p>If you don't think you are depressed, but don't care anymore...then that is depression. Believe me- I have watched its debilitating effects on three members of my immediate family- in various doses (and lack of meds- stay the heck off of meds.) It could be a deeply repressed PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder)...you need to do some soul searching! </p>

<p>Refresh the image of what YOU want in life. Don't let others control your actions...it leads to roboticism and lack of passion.</p>

<p>Peace- live a little.</p>

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<p>So you think you might regret going to college? I'm going in the fall and I'm not "motivated" to do good in class, I'm just nervous/excited to be in a completely different place and have the college experience.</p>

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<p>Terra-cotta Fren, that was honestly one of the most unique and sincere responses I've received yet (even compared to the advice from friends who've known me for over 10years) I especially liked the, "Refresh the image of what YOU want in life."</p>

<p>I applied to college to make my parents proud. They've sacrificed everything for me, and one of the reasons I want to be motivated again is for them. In fact, the only reason I continue to live is because of them; if not for them, I'd be crossing streets without looking either direction, careless of whether a car would hit me. Okay, maybe I'm a TAD bit "depressed," but I associate depression with hating the world and wanting to die, but I don't hate anything nor do I care if I die. I realize doing everything for my parents and not myself has resulted in me being passionless, but I'd hate more than anything to let them down.</p>

<p>I did travel, though. Many times because of moving so much, if that counts. I went to Northern Louisiana, Texas, Dubai, and California (where I currently reside). But I will admit traveling through Europe sounds nice. </p>

<p>And as for friends, I'm currently clashing with my old friends because now all they do is party, drink, and look for boys, and that's something I find very immature and unproductive (though I shouldn't be the one to talk about productivity). I've made "acquiantences" my senior year, but it's difficult when they already have their own "group" and I just feel like an outsider.</p>

<p>Agentdemon, I do want to live on campus and experience something different, but I'm currently struggling in my classes because of my "lack of motivation" and may not even go to UCSD anymore. I thought getting into college would make me motivated to keep up my grades so I actually go, but it didn't :/</p>

<p>ughhhhhhhh did that even help or did I just show how unmotivated I am to even get motivated</p>

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<p>Just to throw in my two cents on the travel thing...I grew up in East Texas and go to school in North Louisiana and they certainly don't count as travel. I'll give you Dubai and California, though...but only California because it's so different from Texas and Louisiana.</p>

<p>Moving on, you sound terribly run down and exhausted with life. You need to find something that you truly care about and throw yourself into it. Whether it be some sort of cause, religion, activity, etc...just do it. </p>

<p>If you continue to just go through the motions because they're what everyone else expects you to do, you'll only get more depressed...and from the sounds of your blindly walking into traffic ramblings, you certainly don't need that.</p>

<p>Therapy helps some folks, too...you could look into that if you haven't already. A good therapist might be able to help you find something to help wake your life up again.</p>

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<p>"I applied to college to make my parents proud. They've sacrificed everything for me, and one of the reasons I want to be motivated again is for them. In fact, the only reason I continue to live is because of them"</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Exactly how I feel- Felt so down-trodden when the rejection letters came pounding in. This year I curtailed senioritis by studyng independently...but all it got was me getting highly sarcastic and over-worked. (and lots of fun info)</p></li>
<li><p>Depressed doesn't necessarily mean sad. There are a LOT of different types of depression- feeling apathetic is a form of depression- it is called inaction (where you just can't get up). You might not be sad, or angry, or hating the world...but you do feel as though you have lost something. One definition of depression is "A reduction in physiological vigor or activity" (American Heritage)- You feel as though you are doing less- have lost that vital seed of your desires. A lot of people go through this form of depression- the strength lies within you to recognize you have it and always think positively.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>It has been proven that smiling...even forced, raises happiness :-D </p>

<p>There will always be downs and ups in life- if you feel that your motivation is affecting your classwork- which it obviously is (ughhhhhhhhhhhh)- then I reccomend talking to your school psychologist (if you are still in school and haven't checked out yet). They are paid by tax-payer dollars to help you. So go to them! Pick their mind on the issue and see if you can get some help.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>lol katho11, I'll admit northern louisiana was nothing, but staying in Houston for a month was actually pretty nice. I'll also admit that I began getting "exhausted" with life my sophomore year, and that I was expecting to get back on track Junior year, but of course a hurricane came and ruined it all, and now I don't know what to do with life. I tried being more religious this year, but that didn't work. </p>

<p>taking advice from both you and terra-cotta fren, I may go see my school psychologist...I only have two days of high school left, and these next two days will determine the next four years of my life. </p>

<p>thank you so so so much katho11 and terra-cotta fren, you two have helped more with two posts than anyone I've talked to this past year</p>

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<p>Go see the school psychologist. I agree with Terra that you may be suffering from PTSD, or, at the very least, general depression. Don't discount the meds, though, although Prozac might not be the right one for you. Depression is caused by an alteration of the brain chemistry, and your brain might need some temporary corrective action. Talk to the psychologist AND your doctor; they should coordinate your care.</p>

<p>Depression isn't always about suicidal impulses, although they can be a dangerous part of it. Depression can manifest itself apathy, fatigue, social withdrawal, and, in general, no longer taking pleasure in the things you once liked to do. It's not a shifting of desires (say, from once liking running to now preferring the performing arts); it's the absence of desires.</p>

<p>Going off to college is exciting for most students, but it could add too much stress in your case unless you can get out of your depression. Again, talk to a professional. While we can all offer excellent advice, we are not professionals here on CC. You need individual help.</p>

<p>There was a long thread somewhere (I can see if I can find it) about another student who was suffering from depression. It was inspiring because it started with her in about your position and then finding her way out of it. I'll see if I can dig it up for you to read.</p>

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<p>I recently finished reading "The Fountaing Head" by Ann Ryand. Essentially the story has to do with the source of your motivation. Her main character only concerns himslef with standards of one person, himself. Through his soruce of motivation, himself, he lives for himself alone. The other characters in the story on the other hand try to live their lives for others, and never achieve anything of significance. The characters in the book are extream, but I think you may be able to get something out of it.</p>

<p>Honestly, if your motivation is not from within it is enevitable you will stop caring. As Terra-cotta Fren said, you really need to think about what you want to accomplish with your life. Let your actions reflect what direction you want to head rather than doing what is expected of you.</p>

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<p>I would also like to add that there is no real way you can know if an antidepressant has worked for you after just one month. Antidepressants are not made to work right away. They take at least three weeks and often a little longer before they start to work. This is because they increase the amount of serotonin in the brain, and a prolonged increase of serotonin causes a change in brain structure. This change in brain structure is what helps your depression, and until it happens the antidepressant won't have any positive effects. I would talk to your doctor about it and if you get another one give it some time before you stop taking it.</p>

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<p>I was feeling similar to this (although not quite to this extent) starting around last November. It only got worse after my ex-boyfriend (who is one of my best friends and the love of my life) moved 1500 miles away in Dec. This past spring, I was very apathetic to most things, getting by in most of my classes on natural talent, although I did end up failing one class just because I never went to class. I honestly didn't really care if I failed. I didn't care about anything, I got drunk 2 or 3 days a week to the point I was passing out or throwing up, and I hooked up with this random guy which just made me feel worse. One of the things that was causing it was because I was lonely. I also knew that I was in the wrong major but was scared to change it. Talking to a therapist helped me change all of this. My moods got progressively better after a few sessions. Right now, I haven't been to see him in about 3 weeks and I can feel my moods starting to sink again. So I guess, I would just recommend talking to someone, esp. a therapist. It is their job to listen and help people. </p>

<p>Also, don't discount meds. I personally am not on them (although I often think about trying to get on them) but my mom has been chronically depressed since she had breast cancer 10 years ago, and her anti-depressants help her out SO much. She is a completely different person when she goes off them, irritable and moody and not wanting to get out of bed, but she is much more calm and collected when she takes them. </p>

<p>Don't do anything for anyone but yourself. You is the only person you need to think about. I didn't like the major I was in, but didn't want to change it because I knew I would get a better job and more money starting out than if I changed it to what I wanted to major in, and I kept thinking I had to get a good job asap to support my mom. But now I know that I need to do what I want so I don't completely hate what I'm doing the rest of my life. Think about that too.</p>

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<p>jealousy.
anger.
hate people who think they're better than you and strive to prove them wrong.</p>

<p>it's not a healthy mentality to follow but it can push you along</p>

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<ul>
<li>try participating in new activities or take different type of courses</li>
<li>take alot of rest to recover from stress (taking a semester off)</li>
<li>find social support and communicate with them (family, friends)</li>
<li>make new and intersting goals, use SMARTR goal (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely, reward). </li>
<li>talk with an advisor to discuss the issue</li>
</ul>