no motivation at school...

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for the past half-year or so (second semester), i've had absolutely no motivation whatsoever to do my homework/schoolwork (i'm in high school). I tell my parents i'm doing my homework, but i can't make myself do it. i've only handed in about 2 of 20 things into my english class, and i'm really behind in calculus, but i just can't work up the motivation to try to fix it, and now i'm panicking because its almost the end of the year, but when i go to actually do it i just can't make myself do it. Before this year, I never really had any big problems with motivation. Anyone else go through this? Any tips to help?

Maybe if you approached it from a different angle it would help?

http://topics.nytimes.com/top/opinion/s ... index.html

This is supposedly a very interesting and relaxed yet informative overview of math, including calculus, that puts in perspective WHY it's relevant and how it's more than just numbers in a textbook.

I think in any case the first step is to stop panicking. I know that's hard, but when you're panicking you have no mental space to do anything else.

Maybe you're just bored with math and/or English assignments and don't think it's necessary to do them to understand the stuff, so your brain has redirected you to more important tasks?

So then you have to tell your brain, well brain, yes I know this stuff and in the short-term it's pointless but in the long term it means graduating. (Believe me I know how hard that is, I'm a hypocrite for telling you this cause I need to do it myself!)

If you told me what specifically lacks appeal in your assignments I could try to think of how you could find appeal in them enough to do them.

I'm not sure if I'll be of any help, but I figured I should try considering I have been there. Yesterday I reviewed my transcripts from college and noticed Fs and withdrawals right alongside As and Bs. I remember knowing I needed to do the work, even being somewhat interested at times, but as the time disappeared I would stress out about how I didn't want to turn something in that didn't reflect what I could REALLY do (despite the fact that I may have had half a semester or more to work on the stuff). It is like I chose to fail...

Are your teachers or a guidance counselor already aware of your problems? I had professors, since they were somewhat aware of my struggles give me an extension (in some cases I utilized the time, others I still couldn't bring myself to do the work). I had another that was sympathetic because he had a nephew that struggled with the same condition and liked that I was trying to make an effort.

Ask yourself- Do I want to pass? Do I want to fail?
If you had all the time and motivation in the world, do you know that you would be able to do the work?
Would you "want" to finish in summer school if it could be an option?

You are here, asking for guidance, so I'm guessing you do want to pass.

If I were you, I'd approach my teachers and explain to them what is going on (regardless if they are already aware of your issues).
Make sure that they will still give you credit for all your work- in high school they seem to care more about moving you along, so I'd like to think the answer will be yes (enlist the guidance counselor if necessary.)

Maybe they could be a source of encouragement or at least maybe help you plan your time better with regards to suggesting timelines/eek deadlines for individual assignments so you are looking at one assignment at a time rather than 18 or more!


Random suggestions:

Maybe try to write what is going through your head when you can't bring yourself to do the assignment.
I once wrote about how I didn't want to be a cog in a wheel, and thinking that I needed to take time off from school....yadda yadda yadda on a live journal- it received a couple of good ratings, which boosted my confidence, which helped my motivation...eventually.

When feeling stuck with an English assignment or just feeling writer's block start by writing something like, "I'm stuck. I'm stuck. I'm stuck..." over and over again- this method has helped me. Sometimes I can only do something I've been putting off when I am avoiding something else.
-just thinking and getting the thoughts on paper might help to clear your head and put all of this into perspective.

As for the math, I'd check out purchase's suggestion :o) Also, maybe enlisting a tutor would help- I had one after a hospitalization and somehow I excelled.

I wish you well.

Keep us informed, but if you are finally motivated and too busy...just keep doing what you have to do :o)

Lack of motivation is a symptom of inattentive ADD. My son has been battling this, and meds have helped a lot. You may want to talk with an ADD specialist about this, if you come to the conclusion that this might apply to you.

So it actually may be separate from Asperger's, not just a part of it?

I once had a psychologist suggest this to me and they decided to try out Adderall- it did help me with completing assignments, but I couldn't use it long term. It killed my appetite and ability to sleep, and that isn't something I wanted to deal with because I have (or at least have been diagnosed with) bipolar disorder and lack of sleep can send flying high only to crash soon after.

PS
I don't have an official Asperger's diagnosis...

I have motivation issues myself. I don't know if I'd call it depression or inattentive ADD as schleppenheimer put it, but it sounds like it has something to do with your brainchemestry. In the military I live around different people in the same set of circumstances (same living areas, similar diet, habits,struggles, ect..) and some people just seem happy and motivated no matter what get's thrown at them. I was struggling to get out of bed a couple of years ago, I was put on Zoloft and did a complete 180.

If you have the resources, you should talk to a mental health specialist about your struggle and see if something can't be done for you. Also, eatnig a proper diet and working out or running are great ways to maintain a motivated streak, I mean there is little instant gratification from doing those two things, but the long-term benefit can go a long way.

I am actually already on adderall along with strattera and citalopram.


My English teacher emailed my mom today, so now she knows about all the stuff I'm missing, so now I'm pretty much screwed. Im really really hoping he didn't email my dad though (my parents are split up) because my dad would kill me if he found out I hadnt been doing my work...

So now what am I supposed to do? I only have less than a month and a half of school left. I feel so stupid

Well, you can bite the bullet and force yourself to finish the assignments you need to do, I know it doesn't sound reassuring, but it seems like the alternative is unpleasant too, can you think of anyone who is willing to help you?

I think you'll need to impose some kind of structure on yourself if you want future success as a student, in the future, you'll have to decide when you want to review material, when you want to work on projects, and when you want to take a break and do something else. It really helps when you know what you want to do, it adds to the sense that what you're doing is worthwhile. Do you know what you want to do in college?

Well I guess that everyone has their motivate power itself. You must work on it. I must say to motivate yourself is not a big deal. I think nothing is impossible if I m possible. So do work hard with all your confidence & full of your devotion. Success always comes to those who climb till the end.