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help with college work

C

clackedions

Well-Known Member
Hi, I'm nearing completion of my course at college, I have a lot of work to do but I just can't get started on it. The subject matter is advanced and IMO really very uninteresting. Just wondering If anybody could provide any advice that has helped you in similar situations with regards to coping with aspergers. I guess I could also ask you how you deal with mental shut-downs. Thanks.
 
When I have a lot of work to do or a small piece but extremely unboring I take loooong breaks(like 4 hours or w.e), if I can't manage to get into it.
But IDK if that'd work in your case.
EMZ=]
 
Thanks for the suggestion. I'm still waiting on a potential (official) diagnosis but I'm still trying to apply some new methods of dealing with everyday things following aspergers suit =p I can imagine dealing with these things is very subjective but as this is all new to me I was hankering for some quick fix tips, maybe they just don't exist haha.
 
If at all possible, you could break what you have to do into small, manageable chunks. Then set yourself a goal - like "first draft of my essay by 2 hours from now" or "read this chapter and answer the review questions by 45 minutes from now". Then allow yourself to feel very proud when you achieve it, or get really pissed off with yourself if you don't.

I've had to use this sometimes at work when I just can't get into a task, or when a task just seems too big, or when my mind just keeps drifting off.

As you probably know, once you get a bit of momentum going you tend to surprise yourself with how much work you can get through.
 
I have this problem often. The way I do it is to break the work down into sections, and do something in between to stimulate my brain. For example, I will read 15 pages in a chapter, then watch a movie I really enjoy, then read the next 15 pages, etc. If I don't take breaks I usually reach a point where I can't study at all.

Also, another idea. When I go to the campus library, I feel it's much easier for me to study. Not only because it's a very very quiet place, but there are no special interests or objects distracting me. I can entirely focus on studying.
 
I do as much as possible to make the situation surrounding my unmotivating work pleasant. I choose one of my favorite songs and put it on repeat and listen to it over and over (the repetition of it makes it both less distracting and more calming), but I turn it off if it's starting to distract me such that I am not making enough progress on my work. I often make a cup of hot chocolate, or buy it if I am in the library. I also bring candy, crackers, strawberries, or something else that I really like to eat, so that I'm not getting hungry while I'm working, and again, to make the situation as pleasant as possible. I take breaks regularly, but I try to keep them to 15-20 minutes for every hour or so that I work. If I'm studying very difficult material, though, I may take as much as an hour off, but then I've usually focused for two to three hours (and typically, the more difficult stuff is more motivating for me, so I take fewer breaks anyway).

On my break, I might go online or complete a sudoku puzzle, call a friend, or go grab a meal from somewhere (man, this post makes it sound like I"m constantly eating! Haha, you all must think I'm obese!--actually I'm a pretty average weight for my height). A lot of times, I'll try to find something that'll make me laugh--I might find an online episode of a half hour show and watch that (because without commercials, it's actually only 20-25 minutes).
 
krisi said:
I choose one of my favorite songs and put it on repeat and listen to it over and over (the repetition of it makes it both less distracting and more calming)
Click to expand...

That is really good advice.

My colleagues at work often think it strange that I listen to one CD for at least a few months at a time, over and over, on my earphones. I actually tend to choose something like Guns 'n' Roses or Billy Idol (showing my age) because the intensity of it keeps me alert, not necessarily my favourite music.

The repetition means that you don't actually notice the music - it is a device to drown out distractions. And the gross noises some people make because they think that nobody can hear them in their cubicles. It does work.
 
"And the gross noises some people make because they think that nobody can hear them in their cubicles. It does work."

Lol.

(don't know how to make quote boxes..=( )
 
clackedions said:
"And the gross noises some people make because they think that nobody can hear them in their cubicles. It does work."

Lol.

(don't know how to make quote boxes..=( )
Click to expand...
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[quote]
desired text to quote goes here
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:P.
EMZ=]
 
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