To ask if anyone else self sabotages with constant procrastination when it comes to studying?

[NickiFury]

I've two essays due in by next Thursday. They are finals, so important and yet I have just twatted around for weeks, they'll get a passing mark, they always do but probably not nearly as good as it could have been. I've exams next month, again I will pass most likely but not nearly as well as I could have done.

I love the subject and achieving a degree means a huge amount to me (no encouragement or possibility as a child or teenager), I will always regret this if I screw it up, it's my last chance really, got transitional fees with the OU. I won't be as educated as I could be even if I pass simply because I couldn't be arsed.

So WHY? WHY? Do I do this? I have two autistic children, home educating one of them and am a single parent, it's hard, once they've gone to bed, I'm so knackered I just want to veg in front of the TV, but with self discipline I could easily find the time. Is anyone else like this? and if anyone could explain the psychology behind it that might help.

Thanks EurotrashGirl, that makes sense and I'll try and remember that.

I have actually managed to write 500 words since my last appearance on this thread, encouraged by the article that was posted. Some of it I am actually happy with, but I think that as you sort of said, I need to actually have the words down so that I can progress, even if they are utter tosh, at least they are down and out of my head. In my head they just get tangled, they are much easier to edit once they are on the page, but my perfectionist part expects to write perfectly first time. I need to remind myself that editing is part of the process.

I am at the very start of my PhD and if I can get these things right now I think I stand a much better chance of finishing it, even with all the pressures I am under and demands on my time. Another thing I do is beat myself up over all the time I wasted when I could have been working, thus wasting more time in self-recrimination. All food for thought.

It was much easier in my first degree. I did every essay in 24 hours, the research in the first 12 and the writing in the second, finishing exactly an hour before the deadline. I never got less than 13/20 but also never higher than 17/20. I left with an easy 2:1 and occasionally I get so cross with myself for not putting the effort in and achieving more.

I'm the same. Spent 2 grand on a distance diploma and I am crawling through it at a snails pace! Xx

I had1500 words and tidying up and a few tables to add to dissertation. Today all I managed all of 500 words, some unnecessary journal organising and highliting. That was a whole day 10 am till 8pm. I did 2 loads of washing cleaned kitchen had a shower then went shopping. It is die in on Tuesday and I'm in a slight panic now.

oh god yes.

Procrastinating is most definitely seen to go hand in hand with many personality traits, let me be clear, I am speaking of chronic procrastinators here! It can be in direct correlation with a person that never likes to make a decision, they will 'gather' lots of relevant details to help them make a decision, but will ultimately put the decision off for so long that someone else will make the decision for them. This is done often subconsciously by this person, for what they are doing is putting off said decision so if it isn't the right decision, or something goes wrong relating to the decision, they can wash their hands of it and claim no responsibility for they never made the decision.
This is largely due to a persons confidence and rather than their self esteem, procrastinators have issues with their social esteem (this is how others view them).
To procrastinate from work is, on the surface, the opportunity to have excuses already on the back burner, ready for you to utilise when you do not achieve what you know you are able to achieve. (Mileendroad? this may be what you are doing :p) Most likely, you are very intelligent, more than capable of surpassing your goal. It is a lack of confidence that makes you put it off, you are far too worried to try your best, in case it proves your inner voice right, that you aren't going to conquer your goal (note i say inner voice).
Chronic procrastination can be symptomatic of a great level of stress and extreme anxiety. The high level of avoidance can be a great distruption of functioning.
If someone where to avoid leaving the house to the extremes that intelligent procrastinators avoid study/work they would be offered therapy to overcome their troubles. I personally think chronic procrastinators should be treated with the same compassion, for there must always be an underlying reason, social confidence, for example, at the root.
Procrastinating is most definitely not laziness, or a can't be bothered attitude, it is far from that. It is perfectionism to the extreme of self sabotage!

I used to be like this but now I write a lot for my work I don't have a choice of whether to knuckle down, so here are some of my tips for succeeding:

1. Trick yourself into starting writing by telling yourself you aren't really writing the actual assignment, you are just going to write a 'practice' or 'rubbish' version which you can then use later on. You can then start writing this rubbish one, and what usually happens is that once you start, it ends up as the final version. This works due to letting go of the perfect essay vision.

1. Find the best time of day for you to work. I just can't get up at 6am with the kids, work f/t all day, get home, put them to bed at 8.30, stack the dishwasher, then start writing at say 9pm- it's 15 hours after starting the day and I'm too exhausted. I can work really well in the mornings, so why not work every morning 8am-1pm for say two days- and let the kids stay in their pjs and get their own cereal and milk (leave out) if old enough. You still then have the rest of the day with them.

1. If browsing on the web/MN/shopping is absorbing several hours a day, you might have to take a break. I needed to write a chapter quickly a few months ago- so I didn't go on MN or any news websites for a week. Not very pleasant, but worth it in the long-run especially if temporary.

1. Do writing like a job- if your job was to write you wouldn't be able to not do it. Set a goal like 500 words a day or 1000 minimum. Much more than that and it will be rubbish, although you could bash out a couple of thousand if you had to and then edit it to make it better. Do that minimum amount come what may even if you feel you are writing rubbish-it's easier to edit and add things than face a blank page.

1. Get others to help. Most essays or work takes concentration and unbroken time. You can't do them 30 min at a time, you need hours if not days to do it. I know some of us are on our own, but if you have anyone to take the kids out, properly out as in out of the house (not just into another room where you hear them, toddlers cling to your leg if you go to the toilet, you end up making dinner and spoiling your concentration) do that. I used to pack up a lunch and send my dd out with my husband on Saturdays for about two months when I was on a deadline. I have done the same for him when he's working from home. If you are on your own this is harder- try to get them to go to a friend Sat morning, ask family, friends, or if you are desperate, sit them in front of the telly for a couple of hours with some food and crack on- better than failing your assignment.

6.Lower your standards- see above. If I am working hard on some writing, I just have to accept my house will get dusty, housework will not get done (bar minimum for hygiene), the kids may be in their PJs and watching telly on Sat and Sun morning, and their diet may be a bit more basic for a few days. It is only temporary, and it is worth it if you get your qualification. Don't beat yourself up you are not super-mum during this time.

I've got to hand in 6000 words and 12 poems on Wednesday.

I would have done some today but have been a bit distracted by marital problems. But I'd already left myself very little time do the work... I know that I'll end this year of uni with a lower grade than I wanted, but I can pass.

I didn't realise there were another two pages on this thread until after I posted - duh! Really interesting thread, sorry I pretty much covered what others said. When I said busy, what I really meant was....aww crap, I'm doing it again! So quickly got on with my assignments ha ha

I'm pretty bad when it comes to procrastination. However, I do tend to pull out all the stops and can usually get a good grade (my average has been 'distinction' on 8/10 pieces of work on my course). This time around though it's not all my fault.
We've recently moved and it's taken ages to get all the technology set up. Plus I've been looking after a poorly child (chicken pox) and attending meetings which relate to the future of the course I'm on.

I now have two assignments, each 1200 words (or thereabouts) to be in on Friday. After that, I've an exam and then a dissertation to write.

whydoibother you are probably right.

It's really nice to know I'm not alone. I have a research report to write up and a presentation to do on it for next Thursday - cognitive psychology and memory. I also have a 3 month old and a 2 year old so I only really get to work after 7.30 when the two year old goes to bed, if I can somehow knock the baby out.

The baby has been lying next to me, farting and laughing for the last 3 hours. I believe my report is going to be utterly crap.

Also have an spss assessment and an exam to sit on the 12th.

Loving this thread. I also have this weird 'well, I might die tomorrow/next week/in a minute, and how rubbish would it have been to have spent my last moments on earth writing a dissertation about X rather than going to the zoo with my family'. Anyone else get this, or is it just me?
note to self... No more university courses

MileEndRoad have and then smash it out! You know it's going to be amazing really!

OP there's a facebook group for you: OU Procrastinators Anonymous
It's a bit like giving booze to an alcoholic, but I'll need to think about that some more, sometime, maybe after I've polished this screw and reread the instruction booklet for my coffee maker.

If it's any consolation, things may improve. I procrastinated through my first degree and pulled passes. But second time round, though I still procrastinated a ridiculous amount I managed to get stuck in a bit more often and managed distinctions.

I totally get that it's a fear of failure thing. I think that because I've had a lot more success in the workplace now, I know I won't fail if I put some effort in and that makes it easier to do what's needed to get the grade I actually want.

My exam days are long behind me, but I was a procrastinator too. Results could have been better, but it didn't hold me back.

Best of luck in your upcoming exams!!

If you can, leave the house to work! So many places have free wifi these days; I leave the house so I don't end up doing the washing/ironing etc instead of working. Makes the whole thing a bit more bearable too if someone is making you tea and serving cake :-)

. Trick yourself into starting writing by telling yourself you aren't really writing the actual assignment, you are just going to write a 'practice' or 'rubbish' version which you can then use later on. You can then start writing this rubbish one, and what usually happens is that once you start, it ends up as the final version. This works due to letting go of the perfect essay vision.

This what I tend to resort to, oh I'm not going to write it now I'll just do my reference, make notes, proof read and end up downing some of best work.

Canthisonebeused what I can't get over is that you are tricking yourself, you'd think it wouldn't work but it does!

I have a seen exam on the 14th (2 questions and 2 hours), have typed revision notes and revised 50% of question 1 and not revised anything on question 2

2 essays: 1 due 20th (2000 words) and one due 23rd (3500). By means of clearing the heavy essay, have researched 3500 word essay, and wrote 1000 words. Now just realised the 2000 word essay is actually due on the 14th (in 10 days!) and have not even wrote a title! Shit shit shit

Every day. Every single day.
Have final panel exams in 5 weeks and here I am on MN

Hear hear. I chose gardening over studying today. Learning about behavioural therapies no less. Whulst watching graham Norton on catch-up.

Apparently, we need to create a graded assignment for the task we are trying to avoid. Yours are essays so I'll do one for you:

1. Locate laptop
2. Plug in
3. Turn off tv
4. Open ms word
5. Type three paragraphs
6. Stop daydreaming and focus on laptop
7. Give up and make tea

Etc

I think it's about not putting pressure on myself.

Enormouse I'm just starting cognitive psychology and memory on DSE212 with the OU. Ironically I'm trying and failing to read about attention at the moment.

I need a huge kick up the bum to finish this essay. It's only 1000 words and I've done 200 but I can't get started. Doesn't help that I've got four DCs driving me crazy, the youngest of whom has just launched the remote and smashed it.

DO IT! :)

If I'd spent as much time studying as a do mning I'd get a first and be an expert in my subject

I don't know why I can't do the work in need to. It makes me hate myself yet I reach for my phone and tap tap tap