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March 29, 2024, 01:06:57 am

Author Topic: How do I actually use bad results to motivate me to do better?  (Read 2012 times)  Share 

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JR_StudyEd

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+1
To me, using bad results as motivation for future improvement seems so counter-intuitive. You got a result that made you cry, so what is the natural human reaction? Sit still and wait for the sky to fall upon you (at least that's what I did)? And it is obvious that doing nothing will result in no improvement in knowledge and understanding of a subject.

You promise yourself that you will improve for the next SAC, carefully taking into consideration your teacher's advice. I fail. I am miserable again. I am the complete opposite of motivated. The urge to study for this subject in which you have been achieving nothing but wretched results has utterly evaporated. What is the plan? I don't know.
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kimokeeffe

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Re: How do I actually use bad results to motivate me to do better?
« Reply #1 on: August 23, 2019, 05:48:27 pm »
+1
i totally get what you are going through and its completely normal.
for me, i've found that the best way of getting motivated is while you're studying and feeling a bit bored or start to procratinate, remember how it felt when you got that bad mark and try and use it to push yourself so you dont have to go through that again.
another tactic ive found works really well, is studying with friends who have similar goals to you. :)

r1ckworthy

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Re: How do I actually use bad results to motivate me to do better?
« Reply #2 on: August 23, 2019, 06:51:45 pm »
+7
I find bad results to be a straight-up hit to my ego, forcing me to work even more harder than before. If I failed something that has some stake in the future, I find myself working as hard as possible, often sacrificing my sanity ;D.

Take each failed result as a sort of an alpha-test, like when software is being coded. You have some bugs (problem) in your software, and you need to code something difference in order to fix the bug. In the same way, your results are like bugs in your software. You need to approach each failed SAC passively, and ask yourself questions like, for instance, what is the common thread between all these failed tests, Are you applying the wrong approach, need to study a bit more or keep reviewing content at a deeper level? Often I would be in emotional turmoil with an exam result, as silly as that sounds. However, I try to take a deep breath and focus on what had been dragging me down. This has tended to give me some good results, and I encourage you to keep this mindset.

 I know how hard it is to face bad results, but trust me, you will be fine. Remember, the sun will still rise the next day, regardless of what result you have got. As long as you're in the VCE game, you still need to be playing the VCE game. You need to push through this experience and critically analyse the reason behind your failed results, and then implement your solution into your study and work as hard as hell to smash the next one ;D ;D ;D

Hope that helps!
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DrDusk

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Re: How do I actually use bad results to motivate me to do better?
« Reply #3 on: August 23, 2019, 07:14:20 pm »
+5
I completely agree with what's being said above. The HSC and VCE reward those who work hard. You don't need to be born a genius in order to do well in them which I guess is the beauty of it. I believe if you truly care about a bad result then you will work twice as hard in order to do better next time. I remember in year 12 I did so badly in my first Math test that my teacher was concerned if I was good enough for the subject, but I ended up with a mark of 96 =) I must say though a lot of people mocked me for how badly I did constantly throughout the year and were surprised when I beat them all. Just like that if you care enough, you will find a way to do well..
« Last Edit: August 23, 2019, 07:18:46 pm by DrDusk »

zuijinde

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Re: How do I actually use bad results to motivate me to do better?
« Reply #4 on: August 23, 2019, 07:38:57 pm »
+6
Anecdote: Semester 2 of year 11, I did a SAC that was an application of calculus for Methods. After the sac I pretty much knew I failed cause I just did not know what to do. 2 weeks later I opened my result and I was hit with a 26%. For a while I had this feeling of disconsolate (very hard to describe, but the feeling wasn't pleasant), but I didn't really care too much because my teacher didn't really do anything if you failed. Well, a week later my dad came up to me and said that my teacher emailed him stating that I was at a risk of being kicked out of Methods and receiving an N for the unit, I also had to have an appointment with my teacher with BOTH my parents along... If you are wondering, yes I was very very embarrassed.

After this, I studied my absolute ass off promising to score better next time, which eventually payed off as I got 98%.

My personal advice that works for me is to really find an incentive to do better, if reflecting from a bad mark isn't enough for you, then find something else - an example, someone like my grandpa when he was the same age as me was doing things way more strenuous than me just to scrape by life, and here I was procrastinating and living life. Please take note of what other people have said, they have offered great advises.
« Last Edit: August 23, 2019, 07:40:52 pm by zuijinde »

JR_StudyEd

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Re: How do I actually use bad results to motivate me to do better?
« Reply #5 on: September 26, 2019, 12:16:14 am »
0
This thread suddenly became relevant again.

what is the common thread between all these failed tests, Are you applying the wrong approach, need to study a bit more or keep reviewing content at a deeper level?

Wow, I am impressed at the detail of your response! Was not expecting such a brilliant reply!
I think these questions which I have highlighted are rhetorical, but I will answer them anyway.
For me, Methods and Chemistry are those two subjects which I just keep failing, no matter how much I try to convince myself that I can actually pass on the first try. And the mental breakdowns which those failures have caused me have begun to accumulate, i.e. all those failures are affecting my mindset for the external exams. These failures are a major reason why I am unmotivated to study (and have been for the last week or so).

When taking the last test for Methods, I repeatedly told myself, "I can do it". "I've got this". Even when I knew the question was outside the scope of my knowledge and ability. Even though there was a higher likelihood of me failing than passing. I gave it my all. But I still failed. For Chemistry, once again, I repeatedly motivated myself to keep going, despite the fact that I knew I hadn't prepared adequately. I squeezed out every last atom (no pun intended) of neuronal power left in my brain. But I still couldn't get 50%. We still haven't gone over the fact that my level of interest in these two subjects (and most of my other subjects) is virtually zero, which may explain my lack of motivation to study for them...
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caffinatedloz

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Re: How do I actually use bad results to motivate me to do better?
« Reply #6 on: September 26, 2019, 07:26:10 am »
+3
When taking the last test for Methods, I repeatedly told myself, "I can do it". "I've got this". Even when I knew the question was outside the scope of my knowledge and ability. Even though there was a higher likelihood of me failing than passing. I gave it my all. But I still failed. For Chemistry, once again, I repeatedly motivated myself to keep going, despite the fact that I knew I hadn't prepared adequately. I squeezed out every last atom (no pun intended) of neuronal power left in my brain. But I still couldn't get 50%. We still haven't gone over the fact that my level of interest in these two subjects (and most of my other subjects) is virtually zero, which may explain my lack of motivation to study for them...
I think that you have a great attitude towards each test as it comes up, but perhaps more preparation so that you can be even more confident that all the questions (or most of them) are within the scope of your knowledge and ability. Rather than telling yourself that you can do it, show yourself you can in your practice exams and revision. <3

JR_StudyEd

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Re: How do I actually use bad results to motivate me to do better?
« Reply #7 on: September 27, 2019, 09:31:53 pm »
0
Rather than telling yourself that you can do it, show yourself you can in your practice exams and revision. <3

Laura, what do you mean by this? I'm a little bit unsure.

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Matthew_Whelan

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Re: How do I actually use bad results to motivate me to do better?
« Reply #8 on: September 27, 2019, 10:00:18 pm »
+1
I presume she is referring to being pragmatic in terms of improving. It is good to be optimistic but this alone can only go so far. Improvement and subsequently doing well in your exams will come to fruition after working hard with practise exams.
For example lets say you have a test the next day. Thinking to yourself that you can do it is alright but properly preparing yourself by practising, revising, etc will allow you to actually do it.
Positivity is very constructive if its in conjunction with a good work ethic, otherwise its wishful thinking at best.
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jnlfs2010

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Re: How do I actually use bad results to motivate me to do better?
« Reply #9 on: September 27, 2019, 10:31:33 pm »
+2
I'm not sure if this does apply to you, but I'll explain some of my own experiences. Studying and grades are never linear. Therefore, I try to put my 100% and be proud of the effort I put in because you can't really control what grade you get. If I get a bad result, I look at where I've gone wrong and continue working hard, because if you don't work harder you are ultimately going to be worse than the position you are in right now. Just stay in a more positive mindset and put bad results behind but make sure you correct your mistakes. VCE does reward hard workers :).
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caffinatedloz

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Re: How do I actually use bad results to motivate me to do better?
« Reply #10 on: September 30, 2019, 09:09:01 pm »
0
Laura, what do you mean by this? I'm a little bit unsure.

Positivity is very constructive if its in conjunction with a good work ethic, otherwise its wishful thinking at best.

Exactly what Matthew said, positivity is an important part of doing well, but smart study and hard work are also key factors.