How to make myself do homework?

Question

I'm in college, I have ADHD, but it's not as bad as some of the horror stories I've read about. Basically how can I make myself do homework, and get off the damn computer? Hopefully this is the right place to ask.

Answer 1

Any method will be helpless if you are not interested in doing stuff. Think about it from different points of view, find something you may be interested in.

Answer 2

I procrastinated home work my entire life, middle school, high school, I got lots of warnings and detentions, and then in college things was not much different.

But I finally stated doing things when some of my class mates asked me for helping him to study for tests, and I was afraid to say no, and started studying in groups (I was doing just because I was required to help then).

And then we set kind of studying group, in my home (which I can't just leave) and that became a habit.

To help we also do something fun after studying, have pizza, play video games, whatever...

This really helped me a lot in my grades, also I started to be able to do my homework on my own.

Answer 3

It can be very powerful to make a commitment to another person. One way to do this is with study groups. There is something about knowing that someone is expecting you at a certain time at the library or elsewhere to meet and do homework.

Here is a great example of how one student put together their own study group to avoid procrastinating on their homework.

If your goal is to commit yourself to getting homework done, make sure you find/form a study group that specifically devotes time to doing the homework.

Answer 4

First of all,you're in college. So you're already pretty good.

Now a little pessimism will do wonders here :D Let's see how that scenario would go.

Not doing homework = Detention/Low Grades (Depending on how strict your curriculum and grading system is) = Low academic performance =Low/Zero possibility of job offers = Low quality of life.

And nobody wants that. Do your homework boy

Answer 5

Forget what tool has said. It is basically a tool's advice. I would suggest meditating and exercising as these activities have been shown to increase self control and attention. Drugs like adderall will make you manic and eventually make you a crack head addicted person. People have become so addicted to that stuff that they have killed themselves.

Answer 6

Consult your doctor. He might put you on Ritalin / Aderal.

Then take it from there.

Answer 7

I suggest Productivity/ GTD (getting things done) apps and articles. Since we have ADHD, that means these qualities are something that will help in every aspect of life.

You can start at the premium side (it took me years to get around to buying it), OmniFocus (20USD). The 'problem' with it is you're going to spend a goodly time on the internet watching Youtube videos on how to use the methodology (starting here: http://youtu.be/x7861Lzt6PI). The GREAT news is you can take that method anywhere with only paper and pencil (you don't need the app but boy, is it handy -- not just because it's on your phone but because you can add photos, set reminders, use a proximity map, etc. That app is LOADED).

Or you can start with something more about time management, which I think is the best place to start. For that, you can use an pomodoro (kitchen timer) or set your phone alarm or buy (some free) any number of apps meant just for this style of GTD! It's explained here as 25 minutes. http://anna.theworkexperiment.com/getting-things-done-with-the-pomodoro-technique/

There are variations of the method, one says work 25 minutes, then take 5 minutes 'break' and repeat. Another promotes 30/30 off (minutes on, then change) for tasks. That doesn't mean you play for 30 minutes! For example: Read Biology chapter for 30 minutes. Clean house for 30 minutes. Read Biology for 30... Read through notes for Oral Communications presentation for 30 minutes.

In the end, it'll be a combination of things that work. It's perseverance.

Answer 8

If your homework is related to any concept draw a mind map of that concept with many visual items.That should keep you interested.
Else, you follow the reward system and grant yourself 1 hr of computer time for every 1 or 2 hrs of study. That should work in most cases.
Even if that fails, try doing some physical activity and then do your homework. It stimulates your mind to work.

Answer 9

Remove yourself from the environment that has the distractions. Many students (myself included) work in the library rather than at home. If that isn't an option for you, create a space at home away from the distractions. Force yourself into the space at a scheduled time and break the work up into manageable chunks. Reward yourself for each completed chunk with a little break but time the break too.