How do you stay motivated?

[CagedFatKid]

Feeling a bit overwhelemed/procrastinating/lazy.
Just wanted to know how you guys stick with it and keep going?

[LaterBloomer]

I'm in the same boat. What helped me is doing a table of what I've done, and what I need to do. It's great to see what you've accomplished, and having what you need to do front and center helps focus your thinking. Have you thought of taking a test, any test? If you can afford a test, take it. Don't study, just take it. (I'd recommend one that you don't need to take JUST in case you fail.) It's like the Nike commercial. Just do it. I took two tests on Saturday. When I was there, I scheduled my next test for this Saturday. I'm one test and once distance learning class from an Associate's degree. Is that my ultimate degree? Heck no! I've almost decided I will get it just so that I have a sense of accomplishment. It will somehow "validate" what I've done up to this point. Good luck. Just keep putting one foot (test!) in front of the other.

[FinancialWorld]

+1 on what LaterBloomer said.

Set your goals, set what you want to accomplish by a specific date, and plan how you're going to accomplish them.

I usually am more motivated when I'm starting to panic. When I know I have to accomplish a lot in a little time, I manage my time better.

GET RID OF DISTRACTIONS!!!
-Turn off TV, cell phone, computer (unless you need it), and your brother or sister (haha, no)

Just dive start in a bury yourself in information. Its like working out. You go through ups and downs. But once you start doing it, get better faster, smarter, more intelligent, Einstein-ish....OK that's to far.

Last but not least, find someone be your motivator, or someone that will check in on you. It could be someone on the forum. Someone you can email and tell what you've accomplished. As one forum member told me "play the graduation music in your head". It may sound selfish, but concentrate on bragging that you'll be able to do a year from now.

And finally, don't be afraid to pus yourself. Get up earlier, drink more coffee (but under four cups), go for comprehension, not total memorization, and read faster. You don't need to read every word. Find your core information. Believe me, reading a 700+ page book may seem daunting, but not when you boil down the information. Read the fluff quickly, and slow down at the key points. Reading can really demotivate and slow you down if you don't learn how to beat it.

I live in a very active house, where it is sometimes very hard to study. I just find the most quiet place possible and hunker down. It usually involves moving to different areas from time to time. The only person who can truly motivate you, is YOU!!! GO FOR IT!! heyhawwwww

[CagedFatKid]

:eek: I just got an e-mail about CLEP tests at the end of this month :eek:

I am curerntly deployed and was only able to use straighterline to do my courses, and now I can CLEP! I am going to schedule 2 of them for the end of the month. Just gotta find out what two. I think I found a bit of motivation. Straighterline is killing me. I try to complete 1 macroeconomics test every 2 days. which is slow in my book but, they are challenging, and I have to read the textbook in order to pass. Ive done 5 out of 22 :/

Ill put macroeconomics on a 4 day per quiz schedule and study for 2 clep tests as well. It is kind of hard to find time to maintain my marriage, complete school, and work 14 hours a day. And somewhere in there eat and sleep. :leaving: or not sleep...free energy drinks at the chow hall:hurray:

[keithk]

Ouch, sounds like you're more towards the overworked/burnt out side of things than the lazy side with that work schedule.

Some really good advice in this thread already. Also, sometimes it just helps to vent especially to those that are going through the same thing.

I plan on treating this just like the gym. I might not want to go everyday, but I have my schedule and I know I'll feel better afterwards, so I force myself to stick to it.

I think a schedule for testing would be important for most, otherwise you don't get a good grasp on the smaller steps and focus too much on how much you have left to get through which can be daunting.

Anyway, good luck with everything, keep it up!

[FinancialWorld]

:eek: I just got an e-mail about CLEP tests at the end of this month :eek:

I am curerntly deployed and was only able to use straighterline to do my courses, and now I can CLEP! I am going to schedule 2 of them for the end of the month. Just gotta find out what two. I think I found a bit of motivation. Straighterline is killing me. I try to complete 1 macroeconomics test every 2 days. which is slow in my book but, they are challenging, and I have to read the textbook in order to pass. Ive done 5 out of 22 :/

Ill put macroeconomics on a 4 day per quiz schedule and study for 2 clep tests as well. It is kind of hard to find time to maintain my marriage, complete school, and work 14 hours a day. And somewhere in there eat and sleep. :leaving: or not sleep...free energy drinks at the chow hall:hurray:

Yeah, SL can be a energy killer. I did Accounting II at the beginning of this year, and it was tough to get things done and keep going. It doesn't help when you don't like the subject. lol
Try studying for the CLEP micro since you're taking macro at SL. There will be overlap in the subjects, plus micro builds upon macro. For your second CLEP try Principles of Management. Use Instacert, and petersons practice tests to prepare for both. Learn the concepts in your mind. You don't always need to memorize everything, except for a few names, but being able to understand the concepts and apply them can go a long way. Good luck and get to work.

[LaterBloomer]

Great news about being able to take CLEPs. I'd forgotten that you were deployed, and that your situation was a little (!) bit different than what the rest of us were facing. While I've never taken a Straighterline course, my minimal study of economics leads me to think it's tough. Think of it like basic training. I played all sorts of mind games on myself when I had to march so I could get through it and not fall out and cry for my mommy. Get through it, and then get on to the enjoyable stuff. Good luck.

[Lyanne]

Feeling a bit overwhelemed/procrastinating/lazy.
Just wanted to know how you guys stick with it and keep going?

Your post may just make me follow my own advice. I continually fall behind if I don't have a test scheduled. It happens every time, yet I have not yet learned to just schedule a test.
I see you're deployed, so it may be harder for you to do this, but that's how I re-motivate.
Good luck!

[ryoder]

Imagine yourself passing the test. Study all the time. Stay off facebook and this forum while studying.

[Tasman]

Probably the most important factor that keeps me motivated is that I am going to have a bachelors degree "soon" and the only way I am going to get one is by completing tests/courses.