Really lacking motivation!

LovelySpuds

Sitting the leaving in June but my main problem is I just can not be arsed with studying. I do all (most) of my homework each night but I just can't face staring at books blankly for 2 or 3 hours a night on top of homework! The course I've given my highest preference to in the CAO required 275 points last year and is a level 8 course but ar the moment I'm really worried about whether I'll get them or not.

I have a few other choices down in the same career sector, one being a similar course which is a level 7 which required around 215 last year, compared to the level 8 which I would much prefer being honest. It's not that I'm not able for it, I just really could not be bothered with the study. Saying that, although it's a completely different kettle of fish, I managed to get an above average Junior Cert without opening a book but I'm scared I won't be as lucky this time around.

I'm doing honours English, Geography and Music, as well as pass Maths, Chemistry and Irish and LCVP, which I would be hoping for a merit in as I am very business minded and have a few small enterprises going, as well as being very interested in the business world. I also really enjoy doing projects and things like that so LCVP suits me down to the ground.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

jayroitman

I'm in the same boat. No motivation at all, but my course has higher points. We're both in trouble, lol.

Sadly the JC won't match up to the Leaving. I know someone who did exceptionally well in third year, but did way below average in her Leaving. It sucks.

I've been messing around on Quizlet to learn stuff for some subjects. I usually do it in History but there's stuff for other subjects too. Of the subjects you do, I only do pass Maths and higher English so I'm not of much specific help! But for Quizlet, don't know if it'll help but here are some links (among others). I'm a new user, apparently I can't post links, but hey.

Chemistry definitions - quizlet . com/2065955/leaving-cert-chemistry-definitions-flash-cards/
More chemistry - quizlet . com/class/636378/
Bunch of quizzes for Music - quizlet . com/class/921787/
Irish verbs - quizlet com 252076/irish-verbs-flash-cards/
English poetry (Frost, if you're doing him): quizlet . com /27459003/robert-frost-terms-flash-cards/
More poems (a lot of poets): quizlet . com pmurray11/folders/leaving-cert-english

King Lear essay writing from the Institute: studyzone. ioe . ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Cian-Hogan-King-Lear-Essay-Writing-2016.pdf
Aural notes for Yeats (again, if you're doing him) from the Institute: studyzone . ioe . ie/audio-notes-themes-yeats-poetry/

Study tips: studyclix .ie/Blog/Show/12-Last-minute-study-tips-for-junior-and-leaving-cert-study

This study toolkit from Trinity is handy especially if you need to learn what kind of learner you are: tcd . ie/pathways-to-trinity/assets/pdf/revisiontoolkit10 . pdf

- Write your notes. And rewrite them again. Sitting over a book for hours only helps a set number of people. Create diagrams, flow charts, use different coloured pens to make flashcards of key themes/points in your subjects. Once you know the topic, all you need are key terms to jog your memory.

I found a method that works for me and that's using bullet points of key terms on an A4 sheet of paper that is divided into 2-4 sections and is super colourful and easy to concentrate on. I can't really explain in writing, haha. It's much easier to read and understand information that YOU wrote. Textbooks don't cater to everyone individually.

- Create a study timetable for EACH WEEK. People create set timetables and they never change, this personally doesn't work for me. Switch the subjects around; study Chemistry, English and Music next Monday but English, Geography and Irish the next Monday. Don't do more than 20-25 minutes in each block. Take a 5-10 minute break away from your desk after each block.

- If you can't hack studying for hours in the evening, do some past papers. They really do help. I was doing a Business past paper before I came on here lol.

- Especially in maths, do some extra exercises in your textbook or find some online and ask your teacher to correct them. It will show you're dedicated AND it will improve your work. Passive studying definitely doesn't work for maths.

If you're interested in Business, why aren't you doing it for the Leaving? It's a great subject - does your school not offer it?

I just managed to procrastinate another half hour writing this post haha... I hope it helps you in some way. Best of luck.