i've killed my own motivation. how do i bring it back?

<p>i had this crazy idea that if i take science/math classes, it would be better than humanities classes. so i took a bunch of hard classes that i didn't need. even though i took them, i couldn't see myself associating with it much after i graduate. i guess i wanted to work hard, but i foolishly allocated my energy the wrong way. i burnt myself out, and i have hardly any motivation left. i'm always tired and cranky. i still do work, but i have absolutely no energy, no passion, whatsoever. i'm quite overwhelmed, and even when i think about homework, my head hurts and i feel like puking. i only have 3-4 weeks left this quarter. my classes aren't that hard either. i have to pull it through. but i just hate everything i do. how can i stick it out for the remaining of the quarter?</p>

<p>What grades are you getting in these classes?</p>

<p>I know what you mean about taking meaningless classes. I am a Marketing/Management student, but I have do take these Math and Computer Information System classes. I am not going to ever use this information. So what if I know the derivative or the integral of a function. How is it going to help me in the "real world"?</p>

<p>Some courses are required, and you just have to stick with it. For others that seem irrelevant or useless, you may be surprised to find they could be useful for some of the things that you do.</p>

<p>If you don't know what integrals and derivatives have to do with the real world, then you need to drink more coffee.</p>

<p>Stay awake.</p>

<p>well, actually, none of the math/science classes i took have anything to do with my current major. that's because i changed majors, but i was still thinking of taking hard math/science classes even though i'm an english major. it depends what kind of classes i took. on average from those math/science classes, i usually got around a B to B-. And that significantly lowered my overall gpa, plus my confidence, plus my motivation. i feel like i need a quarter off. but i'm taking a Chinese language series, so I can't.</p>

<p>Maybe just don't take anymore really hard math/science classes? If you take classes that you enjoy, you'll actually want to do the work and won't be so exhausted by it.</p>

<p>yeah, i've stopped doing that this quarter. but i'm still overwhelmed from it all. i chose classes that are easier but i still don't like it. ><</p>

<p>I keep telling myself this: I'm going to Harvard Law (and I really WANT TO go to HLS). To do that, I need a 3.8+ UGPA/175 LSAT. To do that, I need to work my ass off. </p>

<p>It works...until I've been up 4 nights in a row and haven't slept for more than 12 hours in the last week....</p>

<p>Conversation with my friend....
F: "How did u do on ur midterms?"
me: "Got an A- on my history, A in stats, not so well in writing and science"
F: "That's good...."
me: "Well I'm a little disappointed....not because A- is bad, but because I could have done better."
F: "Who gives a *<strong><em>?"
me: "Harvard Law gives a *</em></strong>. I need like a 3.8+ to get into Harvard Law, assuming I didn't find a cure for cancer."</p>

<p>(I'm looking at around a 3.4-3.5ish now....I think, which is fine, since it's first semester, I just need to improve that to somewhere in the 3.9 range for next semester.)
Take classes that are easier and more interesting. Seriously. It helps if you're interested in the material. All the classes I'm taking now are pretty much either background stuff for my major or general ed. Yuck. I presume I'll do better next semester when I get to take classes that I'm actually interested in. By the way, nobody has any passion for background stuff and gen ed courses. People take them only because they have to. I'm sure there are some who like the stuff, but I certainly have no interest in neurobiology...I picked it because I have even less of an interest in chemistry, and I failed chemistry, while I did decent in bio in high school.</p>

<p>Yeah, don't just take classes that are "easier", take classes that you'll actually enjoy. It's so much easier to go to class and listen to the lecture and read the book if what you're doing is actually fun or enjoyable to you. </p>

<p>futurenyustudent, don't stress out this early about GPA. Alot of times, professional schools/grad schools only look at your GPA from junior and senior years when you are actually in your major courses. I don't know that Harvard Law does this, but it's something to think about. It might help you relax a little.</p>

<p>I naturally work better under pressure. It motivates me to actually work.</p>

<p>continue taking hard math/science classes. gotta find the person who ties the knot to open it. Keep drilling :D</p>

<p>are you going to stress your college years just for harvard law</p>

<p>unless you like it</p>

<p>plan a mad relaxing vacation you can look forward to after the semester, it looks like youre coping with some wierd beginning stages of depression (im not a doctor or anyhthing just sounds like it)</p>

<p>Yes, like I said, I thrive on pressure.</p>

<p>pull through it like you say, all the while remember how you'll get to relax over holiday break, then...
1. if you still want to go to school, do... what's probably obvious... click classes based on what you <em>know</em> you like based on their content.
2. if you're burnt out, take a semester off.</p>

<p>futurenyustudent- re: your determination to go to Harvard Law- I won't criticize you for setting your mind on only one school, since everyone has their preferences and for all I know it's a very idiosyncratic place- but do you think you're limiting yourself <em>now</em>? I mean, it seems crazy that you're so frenzied about grad school when you haven't even entered college. Make sure you let yourself live in the moment...</p>

<p>There are some 'misinformed' people in this thread...</p>

<p>AUChick: Where did you get your information that Fresh/Soph year GPA's don't matter as much as junior/senior year? </p>

<p>They matter. No body is going to give you slack if you pull C's freshman year, sorry, but it WILL hurt your chances down the road. Sure, doing better in the upper classes will help, but the past is never erased.</p>

<p>I entered college this fall...
I'm not limiting myself to Harvard Law. By aiming for Harvard Law, I figure my credentials will be good enough to get into at least UPenn or UVa or something, when it comes time to actually apply to law school.</p>

<p>Entity, I got that from a grad school's website I was looking at. Perhaps that's not the majority of cases. I'm not saying getting a bunch of C's freshman year is a good thing but this person was stressing about B's and A-'s. Those grade are nothing to stress out about. Lots of students would love to have grades that high.</p>

<p>i can relate to your problem. This quarter i'm taking two science courses because i have to for Gen Ed requirements and it's just been burning me out. I'm studying something i have no passion for and the work load for the two courses is very time consuming. I get a headache when i have to write a paper for either course. I think its mainly cuz i am spending so much time on something i will never use in my life and that has nothing to do with my major.</p>

<p>if you're burned out i'd suggest getting back to courses that interest you next quarter.</p>