Posted by Shelley in Seattle on January 20, 1999, at 17:50:45
In reply to help! procrastination, posted by Elizabeth on January 19, 1999, at 22:33:42
Hi, Elizabeth...
I really know what you are going through! I don't know how much help I can be, but this is what I try to do (as I procrastinate also, and then things build up into one big heap that seems insurmountable, then my brain disconnects from it -- like an ostrich with its head in the sand!)
What I try to do -- and believe me, I know it isn't easy when you are knee-deep in it -- is break things down in to small, manageable pieces so the 'overwhelmed' feeling will abate. I know that when I am depressed, I can't see all the other ways to do things that exist, I can only see one way. I find that the big difference lies with how you view things (I guess you could employ the glass half empty/half full example, even though I am not a fan of simple positive thinking). Taking a step back to gain perspective and see new options can do wonders.
How much time do you have before your final? Can you study with a classmate (though I know it's sometimes hard to want to be social when depressed), or maybe go to your campus tutoring center if you need a bit of help with the subject? Probably the first thing I would do is something to relax or de-stress. Pick something easy that's just for you -- an aromatic bath, a walk in your favorite park, get your hair done, etc. Then think about what your next step will be.
The last thing I can suggest is that you turn this around -- think of what advice you would give to a friend who asked you this same question. Lots of times the advice you'd give a friend is the same thing you should do. Sometimes we give away all our best advice to others :-)Please feel free to write me -- and I hope it wasn't too much hot air. Good luck!
poster:Shelley in Seattle
thread:2541
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990101/msgs/2559.html