Do all students feel like this at some point?

scorpio_princess

Hi guys

I've been reading this thread with interest, so thought i'd share some thoughts with the OP.

Always do an essay plan! I find that once i've written an basic plan (meaning I just chuck a load of ideas on paper, brainstorming, that kind of thing), I can then write a more detailed plan about what's relevant to the essay, where i've referenced it from, where it should go etc, I can then see exactly what it is i'm doing and whether i'm answering the question or not. I'm usually able to then write a half decent essay because I have a ready-made point of reference to kee referring to. I know it sounds easier said than done, but it really does help. Strangely enough, i'm not this organised in other areas of my life....

I can sympathise with your predicament though - it's just like when you wake up in the morning to go to a job you hate - worst feeling in the world. I should explain that i'm studying for a Literature degree with the Open University as well as working full time, and i'm only 25 (I didn't go to a brick uni because I had major surgery just after my A levels and needed a longtime to recover). I don't know how it is at your uni, but with the OU you can basically choose whatever modules you like to make up a degree - obviously if you want a named degree (as opposes to what is called an 'Open' degree - a mix of arts, sciences and whatever you like really) like i'm doing, you have to stick to modules relevant to your degree. I'm studying part time (16 hours a week) but its perfectly possible to study full time. Most 60 point modules cost £525 (you need 360 points for an honours degree), so it's significantly cheaper than traditional uni. I know i'm biased, but the course materials and teaching are excellent in my opinion.

The reason i'm telling you this is so you can see there are other ways of getting educated. If you really can't get on with uni, or you feel like something is missing, there's always another way. You can even transfer credit from the study you've already completed at your uni, so if you wanted to dro your course, it wouldn't be completely wasted.

I have to say though it sounds like you are on the wrong course. Of all the thousands of courses to choose from at every uni in the country, there must be something out there that flicks your switch - you just haven't found it yet!

Hope this helps

apoorstudent

^^That's the problem - there's nothing that I really LOVE. I seem to be relatively good in all subject areas. For example, my A levels are English Literature, Biology, Psychology, ICT and Media studies, all of which I got A/B in.

I've been thinking about this a lot... And I don't think it's because I thoroughly dislike the subject. In fact, I really enjoy the lectures. I think I'm just lazy, and not fully committed.

I heard about open university courses. I think it would be bad for me not to get out of the house (as much as I would love to study at home)... I'm already a bit of a house hermit. University is probably the only real social contact that I get since my friends moved away (to unis elsewhere) a few years ago, so stopping that would be detrimental to me. I'm also a year behind the people who I went to school with which feels a little odd... But nevetheless, I'm at a supposedly 'better' university (academically) than them. Maybe I should be grateful. No, I am grateful.

Also, the money issue gets to me too. The OU rates seem pretty reasonable in comparison with what I am paying... £3000/year plus about £600 for books, then there's lunch... etc etc. I don't have a maintenance loan either, so it's all coming out of my pocket. Sometimes I begrudge paying out so much when I am not passionate about the degree.

I'm confused. I keep repeating myself, but I really don't want to make the wrong decision by acting on impulse. The ridiculous thing is, no matter how little preparation I do, I always seem to pull through in the end. Perhaos if I was to completely crash and burn, then I'd leave?! Sometimes I wish that would happen.

//rant.

I appreciate everyones replies... They are making me reassess things, which is a good thing. Usually I'd just push it to the back of my mind.

djhworld

I've been reading this thread with much interest.

I'm in my second year of University now and can relate to most of the concerns raised in this discussion. It's totally normal, don't think you're the only one with these problems.

University seems to suck the life out of you. Your money is shooting out rather then in, you've just realised there's no food in the fridge and there's an essay due in tomorrow. It's a constant struggle of complete and utter woe, channelling all of its power out of that little thing we call motivation.

Gone, completely, no desire to do work. At one point last year, I sat staring at Microsoft Word wondering what to write, wondering whether I could be bothered to write and wondering why should I be writing. Procrastination takes over, you spend the next hour cleaning the bathroom or tidying your room. Anything to avoid the crushing sense of despair that attaches itself to the screen. Your mates ask you out for a drink, you go, guiltily knowing you've got work to do, but you'll do it in the morning. It'll be okay, have a few drinks now and a bit of a laugh, might cheer you up a bit.

The next morning you realise your mistake and sit in front of the computer, hands fixed to the keyboard, ready for typing. Nothing comes out. Then bingo, a light appears above your head and your fingers suddenly detach yourself from your body. They're like machines, carefully constructing a paragraph of brilliance, weaving together a silken robe of genius.

We all hit the motivation loss factor, but if you keep at it and make sure you do your work on time, you can climb out of that hole and realise you can actually do it.

My only advice is you relax. If you remain stressed, it just makes the problem worse!

LumpyBumpy

Hey apoorstudent. All students feel like this at some point, in my final year I had some really awful modules in which we were barely taught enough to complete the coursework and even extra reading made little difference. For me, I had an offer of a job that kept me focussed, for my friends the thought of completing the degree was enough to keep them going.

In terms of preparing for exams, I used to use a calendar to divide up the days in the month before the exams to ensure that I was spending appropriate time on each subject, for me this worked. I would also only work between 9 and 6 with small breaks between. You have to be reasitic about how much effective revision you can do in any one day and the time at which you are at your best.

You may have already answered this, but what are you going to use your degree for? Just having a degree is no longer enough for most employers. This may seem a little harsh but there are alot of people out there with degrees for them to chose from, you'll need to be able to sell yours!

You are the only one that can decide what to do about your course, but you sound as though are a very bright person and uni is not the only way to secure a good job. If you look in the right places there are many blue chip companys willing to take on people without degrees and train them if this is what interests you .

On the money front, I know you are very busy with your university work but could you not work part time? Not only would it give you a little extra cash but it might help to take your mind off things for a few hours. Maybe try making lunch to take to uni... you might be surprised what a difference it makes :-)

Best of luck with your exams and future... keep that chin up and I'm sure that you will make every success of whatever you decide to do!

djhworld

LumpyBumpy wrote:

On the money front, I know you are very busy with your university work but could you not work part time? Not only would it give you a little extra cash but it might help to take your mind off things for a few hours. Maybe try making lunch to take to uni... you might be surprised what a difference it makes :-)

A lot of lecturers frown upon those who take jobs. They reccomend under 10 hours a week, but even then it's not an acceptable decision to make.

It cannot be used as an excuse at deadlines either.

scorpio_princess

djhworld wrote:

A lot of lecturers frown upon those who take jobs. They reccomend under 10 hours a week, but even then it's not an acceptable decision to make.

It cannot be used as an excuse at deadlines either.

That's terrible! So you're supposed to take out even more loans just to eat and pay your bills? Not everyone is lucky enough to have rich parents to pay for everything! So poor students who have to work are frowned upon by their lecturers (who got their degrees when student grants existed and so paid nothing for their education) and therefore probably get lower grades.

I guess some people are more equal than others

djhworld

scorpio_princess wrote:

That's terrible! So you're supposed to take out even more loans just to eat and pay your bills? Not everyone is lucky enough to have rich parents to pay for everything! So poor students who have to work are frowned upon by their lecturers (who got their degrees when student grants existed and so paid nothing for their education) and therefore probably get lower grades.

I guess some people are more equal than others

Yeap, I know someone who was kicked out of Cambridge for having a job. It's not acceptable behaviour, it's deemed you're not fully committed etc.

I'm in no way financially stable, my parents aren't well off either so it's a constant struggle to make ends meet. I can just about do it, but not by much. I live in a flat full of pretty well off people though with big TVs, games consoles, fancy computers and the latest gadgets all paid for by the parents.

It makes me a little disheartened at times and I probably should go out and actually get a part time job, but at the moment my University work is more important then spending time in some supermarket serving ungrateful customers for money that doesn't really equate to anything more then a spiralling weave of depression.

patwa_2

It's a little bit of a double edged sword really, the University years are said to be the best years of your life, filled with fun and new opportunities. Yet, to many students, and certainly as far as most lecturers are concerned, the University work they prescribe should be the only thing in your life.

techno_geek

I'm just back at uni today having had a month off for christmas... I really enjoyed being back at home (my parents live in France, so I don't see them as often as I'd like). I had a 3000 word essay to do over the vacation, but I didn't do any until the start of last week... sheer laziness!

I have 1500 words to go, and it's due tomorrow at midday - I know I should be writing, but I'm only motivated in very short (and largely unproductive) bursts. I'm considering switching courses or even universities, but I've made a lot of friends and don't want to leave my current university unless I have to.

I think I'll stick out my first year (am on a 4-year course at the moment), and then decide whether to stick with it or choose something else...

byb3

I am a 4th Year MSc Student and I have been like that since the first year. My lecturers give me funny looks because I hardly go to lectures and when I ask them for notes at end of the year they ask me why I wasn't there. Mainly because the lectures are pointless and I regret turning up after 5 minutes.

Anyway i'm hoping to end up with a 2:1. If you work your !!!! off during exam time then things tend to come up ok. In Mathematics though its very tough at times.

If you want motivation go to the library and your natural work ethic will come to you.

Good Luck

PS - oh come on why is a r s e censored......