Problems Surrounding School

[pluro]

Hello,

I'm not very good at explaining myself so I apologise if you don't understand some things I say.

I've always been a procrastinator, I've never been able to break out of the habit. But usually I get stuff done, even if it is late. However, in the past 6 months, I've had a lot of issues completing tasks and assignments for school, as well as studying. My last maths assignment I literally started and finished the assignment on the day it was due. As you can imagine, I failed maths. My grades have fallen drastically as well. I'm in extension classes for four of my subjects, and I'm worries I won't be in them next year. I think it might be laziness, but I can't fix it. I don't even procrastinate doing things I like. I just sleep. Or listen to music and go on YouTube for hours. I force myself to get up and finish my assignments, but I just can't. When I start doing it, I stop. I think it might be because I subconsciously want it to be perfect so to avoid it being not perfect I just don't do it at all? I don't know.

I've also had issues in classes while learning. Whenever I'm taught something, it feels like it goes over my head. Like I can't pay attention. And even when I do pay attention I forget it. I don't think I've learnt anything this year. It feels like my brain is made out of tungsten or something and information won't get through to it.

It might be because of my sleeping issues. My sleep cycle's always messed up, and I can never sleep. I always have too much energy, and feel restless basically all the time. My mind always feels too jumbled and messed up, which is always a problem when I'm in class, the teacher is always scolding me for talking or fiddling or doing something I'm not supposed to be doing.

I should get into a routine so I'm not so disorganised, but I don't know how to.

Is this normal for people to experience? Am I being too lazy? I'm not sure. Thank you if you respond.

[geoff]

Hello Pluro, and thanks for posting your comment.

When you procrastinate sometimes it might be confused with being lazy, but it's not, it's to do something else like listening to your music, but what it may also indicate a type of depression such as 'your mind being jumbled and messed up', depression will do this.

Are you able to talk with your school counsellor or to tell your parents how you are feeling because there is a reason why you are doing this and just wondering whether you believe you may have OCD.

Hope to hear back from you.

Geoff.

[therising]

Hi pluro

It's so good that you are reaching out for guidance/advice and that you are looking forward to some form of positive change in your life, through resolution.

I feel it would benefit you to go and see your local trusted GP. A doctor will be able to run some blood tests so that you can eliminate any underlying issues. Make sure you visit a doctor who won't fob you off regarding the tests, in other words one who won't simply say 'Go home and get some sleep', sending you on your way without investigation. As Geoff mentioned, the school counsellor would also be a great resource for guidance.

Being the mum of 2 teenagers (in years 7 and 10), when changes or difficulties happen in their life, I often reach out to them to 'check in' regarding any guidance they may need. The teenage years are an incredibly tough stage of life, for we're faced with 2 major challenges - 1) Making sure we are choosing the most positive and productive identity and 2) making sure we don't identify our self with the perceived negatives that we face. It's a process which entails great consciousness and guidance when it comes to how we evolve. Keep in mind that words play a huge part in how we identify ourselves. For example, I won't say to my kids 'You're lazy!'. What I will say is 'You're lazing too much.' Nothing wrong with occasionally lazing, hey?! By the way, I took my 15yo daughter to the GP because she was lazing too much and it turns out the reason involves a B12 deficiency.

Poor sleep patterns, diet and physical activity can mess with our systems, more than we realise. Personally, I know how poor sleep can seriously effect me in a number of ways, if I don't deal with my sleep apnea productively.

Something else to keep in mind: Few people find joy in school let alone homework, so if you can find some motives to 'move it' (aka payoffs) that may help. We typically don't invest ourselves in something that offers no obvious payoff.

I'm sure you would agree that teenagers get a bum wrap as they often cop a lot of negative labels in the toughest years of their life. Whatever you do, focus on investigating ways to resolve your current challenge and don't focus on the negative labels you may be dealing with (from teachers, parents, etc). There is a reason you're going through this, you just have to find it.

Take care of yourself pluro

[pluro]

Hi geoff,

Thank you for responding. Yes, I am able to talk to the school counsellor, and I definitely will, I think I'd be more comfortable talking to them than to my parents.

As for what you said about OCD, I don't really know. I know close to nothing about it, but I will definitely do some research on it.

Once again, thank you for responding, your advice was really helpful.