Aspergers - can't get on with my work

[Kate McG]

Hi guys,
I'm currently doing a masters and I can't seem to get down to my work.
I coped ok with the taught modules as they have deadlines and I would work all in one go over three days non stop and finished. But my thesis doesn't have a deadline and I'm just not doing it! (Middle assignment 4000 words, this 40,000 so I can't just do it in one go either!)
I didn't have a child in my undergrad degree so I could work non stop like this, but now I do, I can't afford to shut myself away like this to work.
Even if I completely clear my schedule when the baby isn't with me, I just can't seem to do it still.
Does anyone have this problem with work, deadlines etc. I really really need to do something as my excuses are getting old now...
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[WereBear]

I have a funny thing about writing. If I wake up with the whole day ahead of me, I usually stop by 2 pm, and then have different energy for doing almost anything else.

BUT...

If I have a 3 pm appointment, I find it so hard to get down to writing, because I feel it looming, and I can't concentrate, and I feel so cornered, and I have a lot of difficulty getting any writing done.

Now that I know this about myself, I am doing mental tricks like pretending I have the whole day, and then wanting to go do something after, and it kind of helps.

A difficulty shifting mental gears is part of being an Aspie. I try to create a world: with music, shut doors, etc, that communicates infinity, even though I cannot use the whole day. I have to feel I can.

 

[StephF]

Have you tried speaking to your department or course head and asking if the Univ has childcare provisions.

 

[Kate McG]

Hi Steph, I have child care but it seems even when I don't have him I'm still like this.
Werebear, this sounds exactly like me. Even if I have the slightest task, it throws my day out.
I can't go into uni to do work, too many people, they can't provide an office for only me, my house is silent but because I'm at home, I've got things that need doing.
You're right I need to pretend I don't have something, or just not schedule anything in the first place! And be strict about not doing any household tasks until after 5 for example.
Food for thought, thanks for taking the time to reply to me.

 

[garnetflower13]

I attended college while being a single mom, and I remember exactly how it was - it was difficult to shift gears into being a student, when at any moment I would have to switch back to being a mom. I couldn't be both in the same space, and it was very very difficult. I feel your pain!

 

[Kate McG]

I attended college while being a single mom, and I remember exactly how it was - it was difficult to shift gears into being a student, when at any moment I would have to switch back to being a mom. I couldn't be both in the same space, and it was very very difficult. I feel your pain!

Haha I bet. What did you do to get your work done?

 

[garnetflower13]

Haha I bet. What did you do to get your work done?

For a time, I would go to bed very early and get up in the wee hours to study, while she was still asleep. At other times, I would study on campus when my child was enrolled in an after school program. Those two things helped me to focus on being a student, for short times!

 

[WereBear]

Lately I have been going to bed very early, because I am exhausted, and then getting up very early to have ME time and get some writing done. While I prefer it the other way around, at least I get stuff done.