Developing work habits

Blissey_ODonnell

I should give you background on myself. I'm 15, and I'm in my first year of high school. Elementary school and middle school were a breeze, obviously, but now I find myself struggling in high school. I could always get away with brains and no effort, but now I realize that that isn't enough. I even had to study for a test, which I've never done and it felt really weird. I'm also behind on homework, I'm just another stereotypical "lazy American", and I find it very difficult to sit down and just finish my assignments. In junior high, this was never a problem as I would finish most of it in class or during study hall, and the rest during school the next day before class started. I need to develop some good work habits, which is being kind of difficult.

Hell, I ought to be working on a paper right now. That's why I logged on to the computer in the first place, right?

You seem like experienced people, so does anyone have an advice or tips for me?

It may seem weird posting this on a Pokemon forum, but whatever.
 
Same thing happened to me this year, this is what I do:
Do like 1 problem or paragraph and do something fun for 1 minurw.
It works for me, and now I have all A's.
:)
 
What it all comes down to is how much you value success. You can want to be a successful student but that isn't the same as striving to be a successful student. I'm ranked #1 in my class of 250 kids during my final trimester of high school. I pushed myself all 4 years and constantly kept my sight on the ultimate goal but you probably realize things like this.

In order to just bring your grades up, you're going to have to change the way you approach your classes. Being an active participant in class will be one of the easiest ways to bring your grades up. When you contribute and truly listen to what the teacher has to say, things will become easier to remember. Make sure you pick up on connections between subjects or main ideas also because those are usually things that come up on tests. I've found that pretty much everything in my textbook, on my homework, and on tests can be gathered from classroom lectures, so don't blow them off.

Finally for studying and working on assignments, I find that I work best after 10:00 PM when the assignment MUST be done and my family has went to bed or right after cross country/track practice inside the school. What you need to do is find the environment in which you find it easiest to sit down and get your work done, without distractions. A local library might be a good choice for such a place. If you get that distracted and procrastinate, you really need to set aside a time and place for studying and working with no distractions. I'd say that this is one thing kids that slack off never recognize. By forcing yourself into a situation where you can only do schoolwork, you will be motivated to get your work done and more focused on studying.
 
The good news is that you at the very least see the issue with your study habits and are trying to improve them. This will make changing study patterns very easy indeed.

Just get your priorities straight and set a goal like 5k said. Just set these habits now before you get caught up in high school stuff and it's too late. My form of motivation nowadays is just trying to keep my grades passing (but that may be more senioritis than anything :])

It's good you are aware of the situation, that's a great start. 5k says it better than I, so I'm just trying to add a little and emphasize the advice he gave.
 
lol. i was in the same boat you were in a couple years ago. basically, it all depends on what you would rather have. would you rather have a couple hours of fun now, or ace a test tomorrow. i always chose the instant gratification one for the past 2 1/2 years, but just now picked up better study habits. and... my grades are already improving. it may seem like its not such a big deal, but it is. the grades you get today will affect your future tomorrow. so basically, if you want to go to good school, study. if community college is your calling, you prolly shouldnt worry too much.
 
OK, it's 10 in the morning and I just woke up, and am looking to procrastinate working out and getting started on my homework, so I'll help you out

first of all, high school is a fucking joke. you can put absolutely no effort and still pull a b+/a- almost guaranteed. i find it hard to believe that you are trying at ALL. you post on a fucking pokemon forum, so therefore, I'm going to deduct that you are smarter on average than most of the kids in your school, or you wouldn't waste your time browsing geeky forums like this

high school really isn't that hard, and if you are having a hard time at all with it, you better be scared of college because if you go to even a decent school, it will blow your mind away

my best trick from high school was learning how to maximize time in school. if I had a test that day, I'd always study that 20 minutes before school even started. combine that with the fact that half of your classes are absolute jokes, you can squeeze time in there. you say you have study hall, thats a guaranteed 45 minutes everyday. use that shit to your advantage.

there isn't really any test in high school that you have to take that isn't standardized that you need to study more than an hour for. just look over your notes and summarize them the night before for a half hour, and look over your shit during the day the next day and you'll be fine.

what classes are you taking anyway? at 15 years old you're a freshmen, so you're probably taking algebra or geometry(which admittedly are kind of hard when you are first exposed to those concepts), and a bunch of other bullshit freshmen classes, unless you have a really hard schedule I find it hard to believe they are hard

maybe my school was just a joke :)
 
i agree with metalscyther, i did shit all in high school. college is what you need to worry about
 
Man, do my plan it is the best (if you can).

At the end of 8th grade, 2 weeks before graduation (I had a horrible year everyone hated me including teachers so even if I did work they only grade it one way.) I dropped out and went into homeschooling, needless to say I taught MYSELF everything I know to this day, using the internet; Well when I was 15/16 I got into this program that had a long line of people, called the High school diploma program. Well to make a long story short I slacked off for 3 months doing what work I wanted to do (not being assigned anything) and in the last 3 months I really worked hard (stopped smoking herb) and concentrated and I completed everything and got my REAL HS diploma from the CRAPPY HS I Would have attended, in 6 months without ever stepping foot into the hellhole! I would have to say, even though I slacked off for 3 months (it usually takes people 2-3months but those are dweeby drone chicks with glasses that played the violin- lmao) I am Far more intelligent then any of the Drones in the public "refudgucation" system. Basically, in "skool" they are only teaching you (And all kids) as if they are going to college. As if they are going to be a mindless working, drinking, shitting, eating, slaving drone like the rest that wants to work, eat, sleep, shit, and die. All while being taxed for it all!

My major point, other then the list above, is that you can learn better on your own then through someone yelling at you and giving you papers they don't even know the answers to without having a Teachers Key. That is not Teaching, that is Preaching, and not for me.

I notice that those that remain in the school system become brainwashed and never think outside of anything material or "friends". Even having the nerve to not remotely care about the planet or animals or anything a Good person does. Not even going to mention how they lie and don't even teach you all of history, they Select what they Agree is Correct to Teach you. Definately not my style.

The funniest thing they think school is a place where "a kid should develop a good self esteem" not a place to LEARN. They are so busy trying to "develop" kids into adults (ewww) that they actually critize the reason kids go to school, to see other kids! To them its a giant get together where adults force you to do boring crap, but you can see practically everyone from your side of town. The point being, if there was anyone with a shred of intellect in the fudgucation system, then they would realize what a bunch of crap their system is and re-do it. Currently, they have No idea why kids get stabbed, shot, beat up, or picked on/bullied in schools. While if you ask any 9th grader they will at least try to give you a solid reason. It is because of this ranking system that gets forced in schools, with the staff being too arrogant to keep their own personal BS out of school, they like some students and don't like others, sometimes for no reason other then apperance. Its petty things like this that ruin schools. My personal experience was always being picked on for being poor, how I looked, for what I wore. The dumbest reasons to insult a book, the front cover. Basically, some chump who cut his own middle finger off in shoppe, got more help on ALL Of his assignments, where as I got ZERO. HE was aloud to basically receive the answers from this bald freak staff assistant which gave him A-'s where as I have NO HELP FROM ANYONE. It is things like this that make someone pick up that glock and load it and look at everything in a different way. These petty things that get so revered in school, when you leave, become what they are! Petty dumb things that only idiotic fools use and the funnest thing is, schools are just spewing full of those "dumb things & peoples that use the dumb things".

And as for college. I built my own PC before I even went to my HS diploma program. The end of the college degree I took was to build your own PC and thats how you graduate. Well, I am horrible at math so I can never be a programmer (I can do web design but they want someone who does flash, java, php, etc that is PROGRAMMING/SCRIPTING. I use HTML and a bit of insert CSS for my websites, and templates made from scratch in PS7.0.) so I am not adapted for this college course. Guess what my first four classes were?

All Math classes. Trying to "teach" me (more like talk about it to see if you know it, not teach you at all) 6-8th grade algebra. Needless to say, with a 50+ mile drive to sit in a classroom for 4 hours while someone from a Navy Submarine speaks about Math and makes you do things you don't want to do, I still didn't find anything enjoyable, not my peers, not the enviroment (snow blind? more like flourescent blind...) and certainly not the courses.

All in all, my conclusions from my personal experiences in life.

We are being raised as slaves, to work, eat, sleep, and die. To be taxed for it all, to help people that we do not even know or like go and order death orders behind a desk.

If you really want some kind of plan, some kind of "knowledge" about what to do today, I suggest you read: http://www.nesara.us .

For 90+ years, we have been out of bounds of the constitution, out of bounds of law, justice, and order in our own government. The federal reserve shouldn't exist, nor should the income tax.

Yet we sit here, when our forefathers faught these same redcoats when they taxed just TEA, now they tax our deaths, our work and our income from working, living, food, posessions, bills, EVERYTHING.

So my question to you is, Is your gun sighted straight and oiled yet?
 
To me it sounds like your having problems in the concepts (cause you said you had to study) not just the homework.

If you’re having trouble with understanding the actual work, I can only say pay attention and talk to teachers after class, most of them are thrilled to find a student who cares about their education. I really have never had much trouble with comprehending the work in high school, most of it is stuff that we already have learned, we just delve deeper into it. Except math, which is basically the only reason I'm going to school.

Solving the homework problem is easier said than done. It all comes down to what you value more, short term satisfaction, or the long term benefits you gain from doing your homework. I know where you’re coming from though, 90% of homework is just busy work assigned by lazy teachers who think a grade is more valuable than knowledge.
 
Hmmm, long term benefits you gain from doing homework. None?

I don't remember a single paper and I am sure no one does. No one remembers any of those papers they fill out because its not TEACHING them its demanding they fill in the answer to complete the "piece of paper".

Being mindless and having thought are obviously two completely different things, as these three posts show.

"90% of homework is just busy work assigned by lazy teachers who think a grade is more valuable than knowledge. "

At least it was partially correct and underestimated. I don't even think the teachers have knowledge. Someone who teaches you with knowledge tells you to run up and down the stairs with pales of water, why? Because there is an actual long term benefit from doing such a thing. Filling out a piece of paper? Wasting my time, where is the fire - I am cold. It would serve a better purpose warming cold bones as todays schooling system couldn't teach a petrified soap dish how to wash itself.
 
as long as you do enough to get by on the course - i.e. not get kicked off and you make some vague attempt when it comes to revision you'll be fine. it's working for me so far. :)
 
I think I should explain myself a bit more...

The work has always been, and still is, very fucking easy. I probably should have been skipped ahead a grade, the way I see it, as I was top of my gifted classes and clearly not challenged enough, not in the slightest. They didn't even skip me ahead in math despite a couple of other kids getting skipped ahead, when a competent teacher should have recognized that I was at least as good as they were at math. I'm not trying to brag, I'm just being honest. Which is why, yeah, I'm on a competitive Pokemon site in the first place.

I just never get the work done. I mostly have no problems with the material at all (although I do have to look over class notes from time to time), my problem is just turning in work. I am having difficulties with just getting my homework done, I've never had much homework and it feels so monotonous, doing all the crap they assign. I guess that's why I made this, for general advice on studying and mostly doing homework.

Also, I'm agreeing that public schools suck.
 
You are wrong, you can get away with brains and no effort into college, or at least I am going to finish with somewhere over a 3.0 at the University of Texas and I do nothing but watch anime and play video games and work every day.
 
Use your initiative. Get all the easy homeworks done first, as soon as possible. When going for an exam paper, even a mock exam paper, STUDY OMG!!11!!11!!!!111 it is soooo boring but if you study a bit the day before, then on the next morning of the test, and it goes great.....Even though my parents force me to do it, I really benefit from it.
Lately I have been leaving homework till last minute, late at night. I still get it done though. =)
You know what? I am pretty much a nerd at Science and maths, but I never manage to write fast enough to finish tests, thus making me seem dumb. I think the nerdy - slow writing technique gets you pretty hated =(......And also the fact that someone managed to weasel out of me that I want to be a quantum physician in later life.

omg trainersj, this is why I hate humans. No joke. Saying "are you an alien you freak" Would be a deathwish when saying that to me.
 
edge of pain said:
Use your initiative. Get all the easy homeworks done first, as soon as possible. When going for an exam paper, even a mock exam paper, STUDY OMG!!11!!11!!!!111 it is soooo boring but if you study a bit the day before, then on the next morning of the test, and it goes great.....Even though my parents force me to do it, I really benefit from it.
Lately I have been leaving homework till last minute, late at night. I still get it done though. =)
You know what? I am pretty much a nerd at Science and maths, but I never manage to write fast enough to finish tests, thus making me seem dumb. I think the nerdy - slow writing technique gets you pretty hated =(
Click to expand...

What you posted was sheer common sense... I mean you basically told him to do his homework, and then study for tests. Of course studying will increase the grade you get on a test, but that is not what the OP is asking. He has trouble because he is having a hard time actually taking the time to study/do homework.... he knows that he needs to study/do homework, but he just can't.

@OP: I have the same problem, although I just do my homework before class, and during lunch after I eat. I also study during the class after I write the notes, and again during "joke" classes (when we are not learning much), or during lunch.

I still get A's on all my tests, but I still cant force myself to work at home... Best way to get off your ass is to get your parents to force you. That is the only way I managed to type a 5 page essay.
 
Well, it is sheer common sense, I sound like a complete freaked out parent but it just does work. And by the way, (@ everyone) if you cannot find time to do homework or study, then study during Religious Education, or "forget" you P.E kit and study in the changing rooms.
R.E is pointless! Study in that lesson! Also, if trying to finish a speaking assessment for a language, and your friend does their speaking assessment a different time/day, then they can give you the notes they used. It always works, and is not considered cheating.
 
Well the only reason I suggest getting out is obviously because I am not any of these people that are good at "school". However I am damn good at typing 100+WPM?

My only problem with all of it is that I found myself URGING to do SOMETHING ELSE no matter what. School was a horrible place for me and the assignments were just the torture ontop of the hellhole. Eventually by the 8th grade, I just didn't even care anymore, did what I wanted to do, and failed reading class because I was protesting against the sexist (there were lots of sexists teachers in middle school) teacher and didn't care to read any of the books she wanted read, only doing anything with the books she Did read to the class (which was few).

Its pathetic though, because by the 8th grade I was so worn down by my peers, teachers, and ISS almost everyday for no reason, that I couldn't focus on anything and by the time 2 weeks before graduating was coming around I just wanted to leave (to the point I told my mom that I would Make myself sick to not go) because I stopped believing that they can tell me "we can hold you here, its a prison", so I left! What did that get me? A stable personality that I have spent many years developing without insults or heckles from "outsiders". And a Highschool diploma in 6 months, vs 4 years. Hah i'd probably still be in HS (I am 19, but would have never fit into HS to do the work) if it weren't for the route I took.
 
I am making my first post in this forum instead of the welcome wagon because I wanted to make sure the OP doesn't take the advice of someone telling him how useless school is seriously. Since you're asking for help in finding the time and method to actually do the work and study I know that you came here with good intentions, hopefully you will leave with the same :p

As a college student one of the things I had to do was create a habit of doing the work as well because like your experience in elementary and junior high I never needed to develop these skills until my second year of college. The first thing you do, which is common sense, is organize the homework. Do NOT organize by how easy it is, instead organize it by when it's due. Priority should be given to the more time sensitive tasks. Obviously you want to finish the work that is due sooner than the work due later. I think the old self reward system would work best for you. The self reward system is merely spend X amount of time doing homework or studying and treat yourself to something or take a short break or both. I personally recommend both, what has worked for me is spending about an hour doing homework or studying and then taking a 15 minute break and having a snack or something. The reward for you doesn't have to be a snack, you can hatch those eggs for your perfect IV bred Pokemon or have a battle via wifi, whatever works for you.
If you need some other tips you can check out the sites on this Google search: Study Methods

Edit: Forgot to mention the part about actually starting to do the work lol. I'm pretty sure it has been mentioned already, but the key part of good work habits is time management. You need to determine the length of time required to finish the work, the available time you have, and then based on these two factors you have to determine when the best time of the day is for you to do the work while allowing you to finish within your allotted time available. I personally find it much easier to do the work about an hour or two after class ends ( I take night courses so I usually start at about 11pm ). I have also found it much harder for me to do the work in the morning or afternoon because my brain works best at night. Figure out your prime thought time and make use of it :) Good luck.

OT: Just wanted to say that I'm very impressed with the knowledge on these forums and thank everyone responsible.
 
Honestly just make sure not to do anything too stupid, this means:

-Hand in assignments ALL OF THEM , even a piece of crap assignment is much, much better then a zero

-The same concept applies to tests, you don't have to ace everything but make sure you don't take a 40 or something like that. 15 minutes of studying is better then zero

-If possible do homework/study in school

Honestly if you wanna get by then make sure you expend at least minimum effort. However if you decide doing your work well is worth it then I strongly suggest you differ to fiveKrunner's wisdom but remember you could be doing better stuff with your time then dumb projects (play guitar/teach yourself like 5 years of math in one/whatever).
 
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