Dealing with lack of motivation and discouragement - tips?

[Aubs]

I've been testing for a year and a half now and I'm currently working on US History II. US History I was fine, no problems there. This one....I can't seem to grasp it with all the politics and such, they really don't make sense to me and I'm finding it harder and harder to dive in and start studying when I know it's going to take every ounce of my energy. I've already taken a month off since my last test so taking MORE time off isn't really an option.....

I get this way sometimes, especially when I'm facing giant, mountainous tests like this one. I can study and study until my eyes fall out of my head and it just doesn't stick. I do flashcards, read textbooks, even write notes on my arms so I can review them throughout the day and yet, I still don't understand it enough to logically think out correct answers on the test and I end up choosing an answer that's way off the mark.

How do you guys fight those sinking, depressing feelings? What do you do when you're so frustrated with yourself because no matter how hard you study, you just don't get it? What do you do when you feel like you study 24/7 and you're still simply scraping by? How do you find motivation again?

Thanks in advance....

[NAP]

You have my sympathies; I thought this was a lot harder to study for than US History I also. I suspect you have already done enough studying to pass, but have you tried something completely different like the learner.org videos? Just watch (and enjoy) them without taking notes; maybe it will be refreshing and help you remember important people and events better.

[Aubs]

I've read through the REA book, another history book, and have taken one Peterson practice test. It was soooo frustrating on that test because I think I knew one question, that was it, everything else was completely unfamiliar to me. Got 30 right, 90 wrong. *gulp* This part of history was a serious weak spot in high school for me as well so that probably doesn't help

Will definitely check out learner.org. Thank you so much!!! Hopefully something other than books will make it all stick better *crossing fingers*

[Lindagerr]

When did you take the Peterson's? Did you read all of the answer explanations? If it has been awhile and you have studied since then you might want to try another Peterson's or one of the REA practice exams.

I know it can be hard to study for a test you are having difficulty with, I am having that problem with Art of the western world and it has really stalled my doing anything. Using a different study method is a great idea. Another idea might be to pick one area that you have the most interest in (like WW II) and just study that area for a while and as you spread out from that area, what lead up to it what changes it caused, it might make the whole topic a little more interesting.

[dew125]

I really enjoyed Jennifer Burns lectures for this history test; they really helped bring life into the subject. To find, just search iTunes university for history 7b spring 2006 from Berkeley. Definitely listen to the first few and then to the areas you especially need. I listened to all but two because I enjoyed them.

[ryoder]

Did you read the entire REA book in a quiet setting or did you just skim it?
You really need to dig into this material and try to enjoy it.
I did US History I and used the REA book and supplemented with Netflix videos and was fine.

[NAP]

The Peterson's for History I were so hard with new material and therefore frustrating that I ended up just reading through the questions and explanations to the answers for both History I and II. It has useful info for the test but wasn't worth getting confused over.

[Aubs]

I took the Peterson's today, still reading through the answers, etc. and now going through the REA book (again but only skimming this time) and a college textbook taking notes.

On the first time through any of my books, I read them straight to the end in a quiet setting otherwise I don't remember a single thing.

Also, another question.....I heard somewhere that WWI and II are considered foreign affairs and aren't on the test (they're in the study guide though.... o.O ). On the Peterson's I took, there were questions about Persian Gulf War and matters with China and stuff like that....

I know...taking Peterson's too seriously. Sorry :leaving:

Good idea. I'll start with WWII, I can handle that, then work from there.

[Lindagerr]

Another unusual type of study is watching Khan Academy Utube videos, there are a few on history

[DSH2007]

Another unusual type of study is watching Khan Academy Utube videos, there are a few on history

Don't forget the HippoCampus videos! VangoNotes also has a History audio. I was on the road today for about five hours total... listened to my VangoNotes for the Info Systems & Computer App CLEP. Which reminds me... sometimes you just need to get off the dime and TAKE THAT CLEP!