Difficulties with online school | Having trouble motivating myself
I have been in online school since June 2021 and I still have the same problem that I have everywhere else, I seek too much ease and I get stuck. I'm always looking for a software to read aloud my lessons for me, a way to write faster, to learn faster... But there is none. I think it's a mix of being used to school mostly sitting and listening to a teacher, and to be at my house and therefore had no obligations and so many distractions. I tried to make a schedule that I never keep. I work a lot in my bed... And even in general I don't do anything in a disciplined way. I spend too much time in my bed, I go to bed too late, I spend too much time on my phone, I don't exercise enough... I really tried several times to change but I can't and I don't know how to force myself. I feel constantly exhausted. Maybe I should clarify that I have been dealing with PTSD, depression, social and school anxiety since I was little.
Thank you for reading
As I write this I realize that I'm trying to work but I feel very bad, emotionally, in my body and in my room, I'm struggling not to close my eyes so much I'm tired... I think that my changes must be made at all levels
Online school really doesn't work for everyone. Especially when many of us have been so used to sitting in a physical classroom with the teacher at the front lecturing us. Online schooling will work out, if you are self-disciplined, self-motivated, and have self-control. It also helps if you set goals during your studies. It could be as simple as reading a chapter, or getting the Introduction done for a paper.
It seems you know what your problems are when you're studying at home. Is there anyway where you can change your studying environment? Going to a coffee shop, sitting outside (if the weather is good), going to the public library, etc.
To stay motivated, I believe that you need to know the purpose of your studies. What is the reason for taking your courses? Are you studying now, so you can have a better choice in your career upon completion? Are you studying courses that you have interests in?
To change is a choice you make. It is not a "Can" or "Cannot" do. It's just once you've made the choice, you need to stand firm and be responsible for it.
I've had many childhood traumas, depression and some form of anxiety myself too. I also did some online schooling from the beginning of Covid. It had worked well for me. I was able to study at my own pace, and work at the same time. What kept me motivated was I focused on the goal I want to reach after I've completed my Diploma. Although I've been putting it on hold since this year, and I'm still wondering if I should continue with it. I ran into some obstacles in my life recently, and my plans have been changed. Priority is reversed.
I hope you can gather yourself soon and be able to focus on this online schooling. Give it some thought as to what can keep your motivated, and what you can control when it comes to distractions. Remember, it's a choice to change and you need to make the effort to make things work~
@Jaeteuk No, things are not just a matter of choice and efforts
But change can only happen if we want to change. Depending on how we want our life to be like, it is up to us to make it happen. No matter how bad things are like now, it is only temporary, our mindset in wanting things for the better is crucial to make it realistic.
If your mind is set to automatically think that things will turn out bad (a negative mindset), then even when something positive happens, you will still see it as a negative. We tend to believe what we think, so the more we dwell on a thought, it would seem real and true.
I've been continuously training myself to think more positively too, it takes time and I always need to constantly remind myself that there is a positive side of things. If I spend more than 3 days on a negative thought, I need to catch myself before I fall deeper into depression because I know I become much less productive at work when I'm really depressed.
We all have many obstacles within the journey of our lifespan. There will be many up and downs. It is how we deal with each up/down, that will compose how our lives will turn out. So, it is still based on choices and the amount of effort we put into it after making each decision. We are making these choices and efforts for our own good, not to please other people around us. We need to belive in ourselves. Yes, with PTSD, depression and social anxiety are greater obstacles to work around with. But you need to believe that you can do it. That things WILL get better. It may take longer than an average person, but you WILL get there. You might have to take it slower, in baby steps, but that's okay. Just need to keep moving forward. Time cannot be turned back, so every second counts. Just like how my parents always tell me, we don't know what will happen tomorrow, so we must live in the present. This is probably heard from many different people, and it's true~
@Jaeteuk How humble it is to think you know everything and have the ultimate answer to all people's problems. Especially just after having read a text of ten lines. I looks a lot like those bad personal development scam ads you see on youtube.
"It's all about positivity, mindset, it's just a choice."
Really wondering who you are trying to reassure right now 🤔
I'm sorry if you don't agree with me and if you think I'm talking nonsense, you can ask someone to delete my posts if you feel I'm of no help. I'm only talking from experience and from what I see with people around me are like and what has worked for them. What I've said so far is my conclusion and summary of all those experiences. My words may help someone out there, but unfortunately, I guess you find it sounding like nonsense. Sorry if I've made you feel worse. My sincere apologies. 🙏
@Jaeteuk Thank you, I accept your apologies
I have done online school too, so I can relate at least somewhat to your situation. My schooling has brought back mental health issues for me. At this point I have done it for 2 years online. If you have any specific questions I will gladly try to answer them. I was studying a bachelors degree in information technology. A lot of students have also had to look into the borrower defense program after experiencing wrongdoings of their universities. Time management is very hard when a lot of sacrifice in time has to be made. If your school or university has free tutoring I highly recommend you participate in it even if you don’t feel like you need it and if you do take advantage of free tutoring ask the tutors questions regarding future courses and look into what’s required of the future courses yourself too. I don’t know if this is happening to you but it happens to almost all students and it’s called procrastination. In my personal experience I did alot of procrastination. It’s important to get the hard tasks done as soon as you can but also take breaks and set timers if you need to. Also look into Ted talks. When you take breaks sometimes it’s best to get fresh air, sit down, and do absolutely nothing during your break. If you are able to see a doctor and haven’t been in a while, go for it. Also I just want clarification on if this is a highschool or a college? Once again I want to welcome you to ask me any specific questions you have and I’ll try to offer some hopefully good advice.
@pioneeringStrawberries5097 I had not seen your message, thank you very much for your answer