Burnt Out

[Shemrat]

So here's what's going on with me... I am trying to muster the energy to complete two more necessary DSST's, but for some odd reason I have lost the motivation to start studying. I think about it all the time, and yet cracking open that book for the first time is very difficult right now. To be honest, I think I have successfully burnt myself out, and may need more of a break, but it has already been 3 months! Has anybody had this happen? Any advice?

Also, if it matters any, I must complete Art of the Western World and Principles of Accounting DSSTs.

[burbuja0512]

I am in the middle of my journey with quite a ways to go, so I'm not tired of doing this yet. However, I have a VERY hard time studying when a topic doesn't interest me.

I just got done with Business Ethics and disliked it. I managed to get through the studying, but just barely. Now I'm working on technical writing and it's putting me to sleep. I literally study for ten minutes, come poke around the forum, study ten more minutes, go onto Facebook, etc...

Maybe if you try that studying technique? It's not great, but set a timer, make yourself study for a certain length of time and then do something else. It's working for me so far... I passed business ethics in spite of the boredom.

[ShotoJuku]

[SIZE="4"]You have two choices:[/SIZE]

[COLOR="Navy"]1. Take a break, remain stagnant, and not make progress towards your degree. :nopity:

2. Screw the break, move forward, and earn the degree that will help you and your family. :hurray: [/COLOR]

[SIZE="4"]Choose Wisely!! [/SIZE] :iagree:

[Shemrat]

Roger that. I think I may have to devise a different studying style for these subjects than what I am accustomed to... as you have mentioned, burbuja. Gotta add a little flavor to the raw oatmeal.

ShotoJuku - Excellent point. I can either continue bellyaching or get off my behind and keep moving! I've come so far!

Everybody struggling to find that motivation, QUIT BELLYACHING AND JUST MOVE FORWARD!!!

[creative]

Shemrat- First of all, I think what you are feeling is completely normal!! This path of testing out to obtain a degree takes a tremendous amount of self discipline to stay motivated. The motivation to stay with this has to come from you and only you. That is why it is so hard! If you were in a college class setting you would have the camaraderie of friends to stay motivated and a professor who is actively teaching you the material. But with testing out-- you become the source of motivation and you are the teacher... so it's tough...there is no one else to rely on and help take up the slack. Many times I feel like I can't take another day of studying-- so I can relate to how you feel.

I totally agree with burbuja... The only way to stay motivated is to study for a little while and then take a break and reward yourself. For instance, I will study for an hour (or less) and then take a walk and get fresh air and exercise. Or I will study for an hour and then treat myself to ice cream or some other snack Think of something that you enjoy and reward yourself after you study for awhile. By breaking it up in small increments it is not as overwhelming. Set small goals that are more attainable and don't feel that you have to conquer it all at once. Also, I visit this forum multiple times a day to get encouragement from those who are on the same path. Getting your degree this way you will have to dig deep.

[Aubs]

I think everyone has probably dragged their feet before. It doesn't help when the topic is so dry...

Maybe you could treat yourself; it actually works pretty well. As already suggested, set a time for studying (like an hour or two) and when you're done, do something you WANT to do. That's how I negotiate with my inner bellyacher.

[burbuja0512]

Add flavor to the oatmeal? ha ha love it..


One thing to add. Schedule your test NOW. The day that I come home from my CLEP/DSST test, I hop online to schedule the next one. At my testing center, I have to pay a non-refundable 35 bucks to schedule. This will force you to study.

Get online and schedule your tests NOW!!!!! How long do you need to study, a week? Two weeks? Schedule one for 10/9 and one for 10/23. Then you're done before Halloween.

[Lindagerr]

If you have just these two subjects left they are probably ones you have put off because they don't interest you. I went through the same thing when it close to my finish line. Let yourself take it slow a little progress is better then no progress. I started with 10 minutes at a time. That way I could say just do 10 minutes you can live through anything for ten minutes. I could not have sat down at that time and said OK an hour my inner 2 year old would throw a tantrum, but even a 2 yr old can stand10 min. after a few days I moved it up to 20 min. I had already set an impossible deadline, but I would not let myself just give up.

Once you have a deadline and start taking baby steps it will get easier. Once you have met your goal the feeling of completion is worth all the trouble.

[irnbru]

If you *have* to do these exams, choose one and settle into studying for that and that alone. When you are ready, all good. I would be tempted to go with 'Art of the Western World', especially with the learner.org video series which are free and actually fairly fun to watch (depending on your burnout status!)

If your courses are a little more flexible, have you thought about doing Accounting with Straighterline? Or can you substitute any of Straighterline's other courses for these two?

You are so close but you are not done yet. And I am fantastically jealous

Good luck!

[Levi]

One thing to add. Schedule your test NOW. The day that I come home from my CLEP/DSST test, I hop online to schedule the next one. At my testing center, I have to pay a non-refundable 35 bucks to schedule. This will force you to study.

:iagree:

My regular testing center is walk-in based. When I first started, I would study for a CLEP and just take it whenever I felt that I was ready. I had no schedules or deadlines, and sometimes I would study for a couple of months for a single test.

However, after a while, I put myself on a strictly scheduled plan and took one exam every one or two weeks. I felt much more accomplished, and, although my scores weren't as great as before, I was learning to budget my time wisely and stay motivated.