i need advice on how to bump up my self discipline…
i am in poly now under a design course and have so many deadlines piling up in the upcoming weeks… i want to be productive and complete all my work, but i find it extremely hard to focus. ive tried locking in at libraries, at home, but i don’t get much work done. sometimes i do get quite a bit of work done, but it’s kind of getting rare these days and i have so many other things to do outside of school at the same time.
the problem is, i reaally want to do well and stop procrastinating but somehow my self discipline and motivation have quite literally been at an all time low these days and i feel so pathetic for it. When i think about things like this, how other people are better than me, more successful, more motivated, are so much more far ahead in their projects etc… i feel like the most useless and pathetic person on earth and it’s been affecting my mental health a lot. Been crying a lot more (i don’t really cry at all) because of these reasons and i really really feel bad about myself.
I then start to think about my other insecurities and the guilt and negative emotions just pile up… anyone know a way to get rid of these feelings?
What kind of assignments do you have? I assume design courses require a lot of inspiration (perhaps more so than discipline). Maybe finding the right environment to work on your assignments may help?
this sem is very vfx based so most of it rn is super technical actually… biggest problem is the crazy deadlines with the huge amount of work and im losing motivation over that
I was from design school n used to do things last minute. If i can restart over, i would use chatgpt to plan out all my work to be done. Use it for everything, i studied before ai was even a thing. Drop ur outside school commitments cuz ur grades matter as u need to go uni. Do u like ur course? U might want to find ur ‘whys’ for why u need to complete ur projects. Have that list of reasons in front of u to become motivated. As for feeling behind everyone, u have to race w ur old self to become better than ur old self. Other ppl dont matter cuz all of us progress at different speed. Im open to chat
I’m sorry to hear that you’re feeling this way. It sounds like you’re going through a really tough time, and it’s completely understandable to feel overwhelmed with everything on your plate. Many people struggle with self-discipline, especially when faced with tight deadlines and external pressures.
First, it’s important to remind yourself that you’re not alone in this. It’s okay to have moments of struggle—what matters is how you choose to respond to them. Try to be kind to yourself. Accept that you’re doing your best in a challenging situation.
Here are a few strategies that might help you regain some focus and motivation:
Break it Down: Instead of looking at your workload as one big task, try breaking it down into smaller, manageable chunks. Setting achievable daily or weekly goals can make things feel less daunting.
Set a Routine: Having a structured schedule can help you create habits. Try designating specific times for studying, breaks, and leisure activities. This can help train your brain to focus during those study periods.
Limit Distractions: If libraries or home aren’t working for you, consider going somewhere different, like a café or a quiet park. Sometimes a change of scenery can help improve focus.
Practice Self-Compassion: It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison, but remember that everyone has their own journey. Celebrate your small victories, however minor they seem.
Talk to Someone: Sharing how you feel with a friend, family member, or counselor can be incredibly therapeutic. It’s okay to ask for support when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Take Care of Your Mental Health: Make sure to set aside time for activities that help you relax and recharge, whether it’s going for a walk, practicing mindfulness, or engaging in a hobby you love.
Remember, it’s okay to not have everything figured out. Be patient with yourself as you navigate this phase of your life. You deserve to feel proud of your efforts, no matter how small they may seem. Keep pushing forward, and know that brighter days are ahead.
Hi! It is very normal to feel in this way. It is especially you have tons of works to do (outside/inside of school). People in your situation will also tend to burn out. I have classmates who committed to a lot of things, which affected thier result. Whereas classmates who don’t have many others outside commitments, tend to focus well and score better.
I would suggest to look at your classmates techniques eg, they maybe don’t have a lot of outside school activities.
But overall, I feel that you are very resilient because you have so many things on hand. I know design school have a lot of project works + outside work (tough situations). Thus, you are considered very resilient considering your situations.
It is normal to feel in this way when you are in this situation. It is okay not to be okay. In life, we have negative/positive emotions. Sometimes, negative emotions help us understand our situation better such as warning. Sometimes, our body send us warning through negative emotions.
Jiayou. It is a tough situation that you are going through. But, it is okay to feel what you are feeling.
