Effort in school work

[sudu]

Strictly this isn't parenting but I thought you guys might have the best suggestions. I am 16 year old girl and I'm doing my GCSEs this summer. I've always been a good student, I've worked hard, been organised and got good grades. In the last few months I've become really badly organised, I don't put work in the right files (I just have a stack of papers in my paper) and I don't feel I'm working as hard as I used to, I leave work to the last minute, get distracted very easily and I am really dreading revision. But my grades have never been better. In my last grade card I got straight As but I really don't feel I'm putting in much effort. I know it might be odd to complain but I'm scared that I'll do worse next time or do worse inmy exams than I should. I don't have any pressure to do well from my parents because I've always done work myself and done well. I am really trying to put more effort in but I'm finding it so hard and I don't really have much motivation. The only reason I can think of why this is happened is that my parents are getting divorced and for some reason this has affected my work? Does anyone have any ideas or advice- thank you in advance.

[zara 4]

Hey sudu,i'm sure you haven't got anything to worry about,you've got a lot going on at the moment,don't stress yourself out too much about it,i know its hard but just do your best,you might surprise yourself!!!!!

[Suppressed]

Hey I'm also 16 and due to sit my GCSEs in summer. Like you I used to be a hard working A student. However recently I have lost all motivation. The only thing I can do now is focus on why I need/want good grades. I want to go to sicth form and then a good university - therefore good grades are important for me. I think your parents divorce perhaps may have something to do with it, but just remember they both still love you and want you to succeed. I'm sure you will be fine, good luck.

[CLOWN TICKLE]

Hi Sudu

I was until recently a Secondary School Teacher who taught Business Studies and ICT and what you are experiencing is common and applies in all sectors of life, the advice that I would give is to talk to a teacher about your disorganisation problems. Perhaps S/He would give you a hand with reorganising and planning it or is there a close relative who might be able to advise you, R Eisenberg has a book out on organising yourself which is very helpful. Please remember however that you have done much of your hard work already and you will have done any coursework which already gives you a mark before you start the formal part. Good Luck and God Bless you.

[kassiopeia]

I wouldn't worry too much just yet. I'm a mother of 4 and a mature student so understand how hard it is to concentrate when you have other stuff going on at home. I was the running joke with all my tutors at college for how disorganised I was and how everything was last minute! I always managed to pass with doing my essays the night before they were due in and even took an English exam on two books that I hadn't even read and passed, I came to the conclusion that I work better under pressure.

This being said, I'm not trying to promote that kind of surface learning but I got the grades I needed to get on the degree I wanted. It is then when you need to have you're head back together and be organised and have a schedule you need to stick to. It is a lot different to being at school or college and I don't think they prepare you for that.

Stress can do a lot of strange things to our minds and bodies and often you are not aware that you are under stress because your body is finding these other ways of expressing it. You sound to me like you'll be fine as you've taken the time to seek advice and often once you understand your own behaviour it is so much easier to deal with and you will relax more.

There is no feeling like when you present a piece of work that you are proud of and it sounds like you're not feeling very proud of your work because you haven't put all your effort into it. Have you considered that you may not need to put so much effort into your work because you have become more knowledgable about your subject area's therefore it feels easier. Being an academic is a skill that's learnt and becomes easier over time.

[TraciJ2]

Sudu hun, i cannot offer any different advice then what everbody else has done, but what i did want to say is to try and relax and you are probably not alone - if you had a chat with everybody in your year at school, many of them may be facing some kind of disruption at home as well.

Organisation is only what you make it. why not try buying yourself a whole new set of essentials such as folders, wallets pens etc - new things may stir some kind of desire to re-organise your studies. plan your revision using a calendar.

More importantly hunni, chat with your parents and explain to them how their divorce is making you feel. they can't stop what they are doing, but they may be able to chat with you and help you feel alittle bit more relaxed about the whole situation

Good luck hunni

[sudu]

thanks so much for all the replies guys! its the easter holidays now and i'm definately going to relax and also do some work! i think i've realised now what i have to do, basically to stop worrying so much! in the last few days i have spoken to my parents which has made it a little easier and i've found that many other people in my year, like you said, are having the same sorts of problems, everything has started to come out now. i fell more able to deal with it now and more motivated to get organised! thanks again!

[TraciJ2]

Great news Sudu!!

I'm really gflad you feel al ittle bit more relaxed now and hopefully it will help to make the next term easier.

Please let us know who you get on

Traci xx