College Stress.

[Colin Michael]

Last night I had a paper to write on my own personal ethics. I wrote about five different papers, all touching more on goals or philosophy than ethics. I had started this at about 5:30pm. I finally got the main points down and I continued writing and editing, always unsatisfied and making corrections and edits. At 4:30am, I still hadn't been able to capture the essence of the paper. I then went to bed, the arguments and logical proofs running through my half asleep mind like a nightmare. You know when you are half awake and half asleep and your mind just starts racing, but you can never accomplish anything? It's like a half conscious debate/sparing match, your own mind against your subconscious, wrestling with nothing being accomplished.
At 530am, I'd had enough of the restless sleeping and went back to my paper. I pieced together all of the miss-drafts and ended up writing a half decent paper, finishing at 9:45. I hadn't had time to take a shower the day before, so I took a shower and left my house at 10:00, at which time the class in which the paper was due started. Obviously, a thirty minute drive wasn't going to get me credit for attendance, but maybe I could still turn in my paper. I got on the highway and after going about five miles I realized my paper was sitting atop my printer.
Now I'm in the cafeteria, completely stressed out about missing another class. Yesterday this same thing happened, late for a class because I was OCDing over a paper, and also didn't have time to read so I bomb a quiz. I really can't afford to start college out like this.
In High School, I really slacked off. I had learned everything I was being taught already. I thought in college that I would just have to take that up a few notches to get a 4.0. I was dead wrong.

Basically, I know this is God's way of teaching me proper time management. Time management and work ethics are some of my big struggles, being OCD and ADHD, I live in the moment, not able to shift focus from something I'm interested in to something that I need to do. Pray that God can finish teaching me that lesson so it stays with me, but at the same time that learning that lesson doesn't cause me to suffer grade wise.
 
Any advice on time management or the stresses of college from the experienced is welcome.

(Sorry for the wall of text.)

[STAMP]

Please forgive me for being brutally honest: take a break from these message boards.  Although you have provided some thoughtful input, it sounds like your time would be better suited to focusing on your studies until you've established some good college work habits.

I know because I experienced the same problem in my first year of college.  What ultimately helped me was meeting and making friends with someone from a class who already had good work habits.

Hope this helps...

[TheMarti]

Colin,

Wow. Sounds like me my freshman year.

First off: Breathe. The average college student drops about .5 GPA their freshman year. It's really okay. It's great to strive high, but don't do it at the expense of your sanity.

I totally understand what you're going through. I just recently found out that I have many symptoms of ADHD, which explains a lot about my personality and why I do the things I do. I struggle with time management as well.

Words from the wise (who struggles with the same thing you do)
1. Don't procrastinate. Read ahead,  start projects a month before they're due, practice presentations, start research almost as soon as you know about a paper
2. My plan: I write out what I want done during a week. Every little thing. And then, I love sticky notes. Every day I sit down, look at that weekly list and write out what I want done before I go to sleep at night, right down to "I want to play my Wii for a half hour so I can relax" lol. Then, you aren't freaking yourself out with deadlines and such. Do things in small chunks, so then when it gets to the wire, you've got more done than you think.
3. Have someone else proofread your papers. If you need me to, I definitely will (I'm a freelance proofreader... but I don't charge my friends, unless you want to pay me in cards   lol). It'll help with the perfectionism... and it gives another opinion which ALWAYS helps.
4. Get sleep. I cannot emphasize how important it is to get 6-8 hours of sleep a night. You will wear yourself out if you don't. And, if you have time, nap. I know that sounds silly, but I take at least a half hr nap daily and it helps me get through my day.
5. Eat right. Now I sound like your parental unit, lol. But make sure you're eating good food and at normal times. It'll keep your brain sharp. Drink lots of water. If you don't keep yourself healthy, you won't have the energy you need.
6. Make time for recreation. College is NOT all work and no play- you will drive yourself absolutely crazy. Some of the best lessons I learned were from hanging out with my posse, not necessarily sitting in a classroom. But not too much recreation... it's all about balance.

I hope this helped. I am totally willing to talk if you need someone to talk to. And, of course, I'm praying

~Marti

[soul seeker]

First off, I with the above statements.

Secondly, I've been where you are at, I easily coasted through HS with a high GPA and got smacked with college as well.  Today, I need and use a Franklin Covey Planner (this echos more of Marti's sentiments).  The planner helps you plan ahead and in smaller chunks.  Also, it helps me (and maybe you) to keep focus because it is written down with an order of importance.  Take study breaks, they help your mind to relax and refocus.  They should be only 10 to 15 minutes but they give the "breath of fresh air" that your brain needs.

Thirdly, most importantly, I'll be praying for you that you find "your groove" and do well.

[Colin Michael]

Thank you guys. Stamp, I have been cutting back on my time on the boards, only focusing on the open discussion for mental diversion.
Marti, you're definitely right. I'm changing my mindset as much as possible, though I hope the change comes soon. As for editing, I'd love to distribute my twisted philosophical papers anyways, so I will definitely remember that offer.

First off, I with the above statements.

Secondly, I've been where you are at, I easily coasted through HS with a high GPA and got smacked with college as well.  Today, I need and use a Franklin Covey Planner (this echos more of Marti's sentiments).  The planner helps you plan ahead and in smaller chunks.  Also, it helps me (and maybe you) to keep focus because it is written down with an order of importance.  Take study breaks, they help your mind to relax and refocus.  They should be only 10 to 15 minutes but they give the "breath of fresh air" that your brain needs.

Thirdly, most importantly, I'll be praying for you that you find "your groove" and do well.

Thank you, I'll check that out online. Maybe I can find a template like for something like it online.

[Sean]

Communicate with your professors and teachers.  They will work with you.

As far as time management goes, what I have done with my classes is to make a spread sheet of when all of my assignments are due.  Basically, I make my own personal syllabus comprised of all of my classes.  This lets me see how much stuff I have due when.  I can then say to myself, "You've got a bunch of stuff due on or around <insert date>.  You need to start early on <insert list of stuff> so you can get all of that done by <insert date>."

A simple planner helped me after my 1.375 GPA first semester at the University of Maryland.  Though, I don't need one anymore.

take a break from these message boards.

Echo.

The secret to papers is starting early on them.  That way you're not bogged down the day before.  I personally like to get all of my research and sources first, then leave it alone for half a day or so.  Then I go back into the paper.  I usually take breaks in the middle of my writing and come back to it later.  However, if I'm really cranking I'll just push through till I'm finished.  My mind tends to wander a lot though so I end up taking breaks.

Sean

[Lamborghini_diablo]

Yeah... if your gonna procrastinate till the last night, you gotta learn how to do it right. 

In all seriousness, I know what you mean. Its those moments where you feel like the world is right ontop of you, and you just know theres NO way you can do it all. Just learn to relax, think as straight as you can, and go through with it... and take away ALL distractions too, message boards included unless your asking for help with something.

Also... I know how you feel about the printer thing. I hate that SOOOO much. Your almost at school, then your brain realizes... "Oh *insert string of naughty words*!!!!!" then your heart just falls through the floor... Best thing to do if you cant find SOME way to get it to you, like call someone at home and have em E-Mail it to you so you can print it at school, is to just be honest with your teacher.

*Edit*

Also, feel free to give me papers to look over if I have the time, I don't mind papers and such anymore, so I'll gladly help.

[Colin Michael]

Update: I believe I'm mostly over the initial stress. I've found out that  more time alone allows me to regulate my own time, rather than having my friends regulate my time. This has been the first week of exams, and I believe I have aced all of them (one of them I already have gotten my grade back.) I've been able to have free time to go see concerts during the school week and free time to write and record music on the weekends. Thank you guys for your prayers.

[BaseBall]

praying

[Colin Michael]

Just got two exam grades back.

96 on my philosophy exam.

105 on my communications exam.

[MrMiYoda]

Wow.  Grats, son!  Keep it up!

More prayers up!

[BaseBall]

praying