NationStates Jolt Archive

You see, when it comes to jobs, where I'm actively earning money, I'm a workhorse, I'll break my back for an employer even if I hate the damn job.

Yet when it comes to studying, even things I enjoy, I can't apply the same work ethic for some reason. So, how do I transfer my ability to do tedious, menial tasks to things that actually interest me.

So, how do I transfer my ability to do tedious, menial tasks to things that actually interest me.

Pretend you're getting paid.

Incidently, I am completely the opposite. I will even forgo food in order to finish a journey towards knowledge. When it comes to having a "job", though .... meh.

School sucks and noone should ever do any work remotly related to it. Money is good though. od that one.

A friend of mine is having his university education sponsored by his employer, so he's kind of studying on their dime. Would something like that work for you? I'm lazy in both ways, so I can't really give you any technique of my own...

It is hell to try to do. I, currently, am in a similar situation as I have my master dissertation to write, and I am not being able to apply the same work ethic to that as I do to preparing classes etc.
Perhaps it is that no one else depends upon you doing the work. If you don't do it you only let yourself down, and not others who are depending on the work being done. Either that or it is the mighty $. If it is the latter then you can pay yourself for completing tasks with a treat here or there. If it is the former, I don't know what to do.
Suggestions anyone?

Well, I think that part of the problem is that I didn't have to do any work whatsoever until I got to university, and even then, it really didn't get tough to get by on nothing until third year (the one I just completed... barely) Maybe I'm getting tired of my main area of study (physics) especially after my last semester in which I took 0 electives (I tend to do better in both my electives and core subjects when I take electives) I dunno, I think I still feel like this should be so easy I shouldn't have to study even though I clearly do. I'm used to everything scholastic coming naturally and it doesn't anymore.

I'm used to everything scholastic coming naturally and it doesn't anymore.

That's when education truly begins to matter.

You see, when it comes to jobs, where I'm actively earning money, I'm a workhorse, I'll break my back for an employer even if I hate the damn job.

Yet when it comes to studying, even things I enjoy, I can't apply the same work ethic for some reason. So, how do I transfer my ability to do tedious, menial tasks to things that actually interest me.

Same here. I will break my butt for nearly anyone. But you tell me to write a 15 paragraph research paper and give me a month to do it. I won't start till about 3 days before. Thats what I am doing right now...

Well, I think that part of the problem is that I didn't have to do any work whatsoever until I got to university, and even then, it really didn't get tough to get by on nothing until third year (the one I just completed... barely) Maybe I'm getting tired of my main area of study (physics) especially after my last semester in which I took 0 electives (I tend to do better in both my electives and core subjects when I take electives) I dunno, I think I still feel like this should be so easy I shouldn't have to study even though I clearly do. I'm used to everything scholastic coming naturally and it doesn't anymore.

Ahh. Now I understand. No training in having to work at academic things. You probably suggest the best answer for yourself. Go study something that does not come naturally. In your case I would guess either foreign languages or one of the humanities or arts.
Maybe you need to fall flat on your face once and fail something badly for the shock to make you work in the future. (This is a normal event, if one that hurts the pride).

That has happened to me sort of...Summer college class before 11th grade....it was math. But I haven't really shaped up.

maybe after I graduate and go to college this fall I will learn discipline because I begin to fail a lot or something.

Ahh. Now I understand. No training in having to work at academic things. You probably suggest the best answer for yourself. Go study something that does not come naturally. In your case I would guess either foreign languages or one of the humanities or arts.
Maybe you need to fall flat on your face once and fail something badly for the shock to make you work in the future. (This is a normal event, if one that hurts the pride).
Weird, you pegged what my career tests did (that I should study languages or humanities) but I'm already three years into my physics degree... I think I may finish this and then do another one in philosophy after it. I still have to get through fourth year though.

Sometimes it helps to set little goals for which you then reward youself.

Example: Once I get through 2 lectures, I'll have some ice cream.

Of course, they can't all be food based or you'll get fat. =)

I think having long-term goals helps to motivate one to try harder. I was totally lost on what I was doing in school until I decided what my grad-school aspiration was, and that inspired me to try harder so that I might get into a top notch graduate school.

Hmm Same thing.

I think thats the reason, it's always harder to think than to work. I think Ford said that.

Well, I know I'm not getting into a grad school at this rate. I don't even think I would want to go for physics the prospect of even more frightening math is slightly concerning.

I am considering another degree possibly in philosophy (it's a subject I enjoy all the time) and possibly either picking up a language (I was thinking german) or minoring in psych if I find that I enjoy the classes enough to want to pursue it (I start summer school for it today, and I have to work my ass off)