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.

Dont blame you for ranting, Tequila, sounds like an absolute nightmare.

That kind of incompetence is just ridiculously infuriating, its all 'computer says no' and no one with any common sense.

I am precisely 0 words further along, but I have a Sim horse called Farquahar. My Sims are clearing out one of his overgrown paddocks so one of them can teach him to do tricks.

I have my first exam in over 20 years coming up in a few weeks. Not sure I can even write for 3 hours straight, let alone put anything comprehensible down. I was supposed to study tonight but have spent the evening MNing instead. I have promised myself I will open my books tomorrow...

Tequila That's terrible. My experience of OU admin has been less than stellar too, but not quite that frustrating.

enormouse how did it go?

God sounds awful tequila. I'm going for speech therapy next year so I'll have to go through the same process.

Love farquahar, he can be your mascot wandering

Good luck boomboom. You'll find it all comes back in the moment. How's the revision going today.

Thank you all for your support.
It went ok, I felt prepared and ready for it and the stuff I anticipated came up. I still feel like I messed up the question on convergent and divergent evolution - just got overwhelmed by it and turned it into a rambly mess. My long essay was on language acquisition and I forgot loads of stuff but I think I got the bulk of stuff I needed to in there.

I forgot to mention the funniest part of my day. The toddler trying to come along with me. I had to leave at 7 to get the early bus and he got himself up, put a coat and boots on over his pyjamas and was ready to leave with me. He even packed a bag with a nappy, some wipes and his gruffalo book. Oh the tears when he had to stay, I felt so guilty.

Still have coursework and presentation to finish for tomorrow but I'm not bothered by what state it's in anymore. As long as it goes in, I don't care. And that's it. Till august (but I'm not thinking about that for another 2 months).

I am thinking of doing a standalone module with the ou to keep me occupied till I go to uni in Sept 2015. I must be mad. Also need to arrange to get my bike license and arrange some work experience. And tidy the house. And work with the toddler on his speech therapy.

I sort of though it was because I was having to be part of a process that I had little control over and it was my little way of rebelling against it. I will do it but in my time and yes I want to do well but I have so many other things in my life. Or could it be I am just tired and the only way I really work best is under pressure.

Err. No, enormouse, no studying today. Almost no MNing though. I was doing proper chores and everything. The kitchen is much cleaner!

I'm sort of hoping things don't "all come back". I was utterly useless at exams at school and in my first degree. Used to just go blank and be unable to recall things I knew perfectly the night before. Did far worse than predicted grades and course work anticipated. So I don't want that lack of skill back. But I've managed to overcome my nerves in a lot of other places since then, so hoping life experience will hold me in good stead. I do know getting my head down now will help a lot on the day though.

Glad yours went OK. Hope the results are good for you and you get the rest in without too much hassle.

If you're looking for something to tide you over next year have you considered a Coursera aourse instead? Much less expensive.

Can't believe it, finally done. That's all my assignments done for my access course :)

Have got all Distinctions so far in everything, just need to get the couple I've handed it marked then I'm done.

Fantastic tequila. Got my fingers crossed for you. I hope I do as well as you. Hope you're having a big, well deserved drink.

boomboom I know what you mean. First time round at uni was dire for me. I wish I had taken a few years out before applying.
Btw thanks for the coursera link. Signed up for a few courses. .

1000 word Research Proposal Progress exercise....submitted
2000 word Criminology Essay....submitted
3500 word essay on Stigma in illness (due 23rd), 2000 words in.
2 hour Social Policy exam tomorrow, revised

Thankyou enormouse massive weight off my back

Ohhhh check crazynana out here! Wow, well done!

Good Luck for tomorrow crazynanna

Thank you

My mind is swimming with The Old Age Pensions Act 1908, and David Cameron's 'Progressive Conservatism' and the New Right....

Go to bed < strict Mum voice> You won't be fresh and rested tomorrow otherwise.

Awwwwwww do I have too? I'm watching Jezza on NN, and he won't be on there for long

Thank heaven for that, a minute of Jezza is too much! Yes you must go to bed now, do not procrastinate on this too. So must I as I have to do some more house moving packing tomorrow and conquer the washing basket, a chore that will probably be worse than Social Policy.
Night night sleep tight and wake with a sparkling brain all ready to answer questions perfectly.

Well done all :)

I've got an exam tomorrow, and then am back on the essays.

I came in here to be all smug and see that I have been thoroughly beaten to it.

Well done everyone!

I have, just four earth minutes ago, emailed my finished piece to my supervisor. Now I feel a bit sick over the fact that someone else is actually going to read this thing I have cried over (several times). And my supervisor is just the loveliest person and would never be mean, but still.

Anyway, it didn't read like complete shite and I think shows progress (optimistic), so now I get to reorganise my three separate workspaces which are spilling over with papers and books. We haven't been able to use the office space, bedroom cabinets or dining table for the last few weeks due to stacks of stuff.

Good luck everyone who has exams. I have packed all my OU stuff and my work portfolio stuff so I can now do no work until June. Good thing the next module isn't due in until September and I've handed my work portfolio in last week. Feel slightly bereft.

waitbutwhy.com/2013/10/why-procrastinators-procrastinate.html

Has anyone mentioned this yet? I admit I haven't RTFT.

Right am going to think about the monkey theory from that link when I procrastinate today

Yes foolish it is a wee bit further up - it is good though! Have already told my monkey to shut up today!

Went in to do my coursework presentation yesterday. Hated every moment of it but that only leaves my essay to finish, check and reference.

My lecturer said she had marked my exam (from Monday, it was a resit with only 2 people doing it) and I had got a pass with distinction. I can't believe it.

I am going to kill my when he comes hone from work. After a blissful night of sleep he told me with a very worried look, we were out of breakfast foods ,(he had to give DS1 a plate of beans by themselves), nappies for DS2 and wipes. As an aside, we have porridge, muesli, milk, yoghurt, fruit, puree pots. Dp means cornflakes and bread.

"Why didn't you put an asda order through?"

"Oh I know you like doing it mouse, I thought I might forget something"

Well done mouse :)

I had my only exam yesterday, and have to submit all my work next Wednesday. Then it's all over for this year :)

Well done mouse, that's a wicked result. Not so great about the shop needing doing, that's the sort of thing dp would do. I have one tma ready, but have forgotten to post for the past 3 days! Whoops! Other one due Tuesday, I have 1/3 done, for 2 books (bit I got stuck on) and 2 books, well 1 and a half the tma asks about to do. No pressure there then! And a Sunday school to plan for tomorrow- I must be mad!

I love the description of the kitchen, that's mine at the mo while I'm panic studying.