Homework, Studying, and Depression
OK. What worked for me - YMMV.
Break down every assignment (including studying for tests) into small, manageable parts. Small assignments (like a worksheet) don't need to get broken down, but a 10 page paper probably needs to be broken down into 1)outline and thesis statement, 2) write intro, 3) write conclusion, 4) write body paragraphs 1-2, 5) write body paragraphs 3-4, etc.
Studying for tests can be broken down into chapters to study, sections of a chapter to study, notes, or any other logical separator.
The point is to have tasks that you can complete that aren't overwhelming and that will probably only take 15-60 minutes, because, here's the trick: you can probably convince yourself to do one small thing, to work on your homework for 15 minutes. And once you start, often it's easy to keep going. But you need small, manageable tasks that won't overwhelm you (this works for people with anxiety too). Study for a mid-term? I'll pass, that sounds too hard. Review notes on chapter 2? That's do-able.
Tip number 2 is to then take all those parts that you broken assignments into and put them on a calendar. How you want to do this is up to you. Some methods I've tried: using Google calendar (put each task as a separate event on a day, then you can move them around as needed until you get a schedule that works for you), using Post-its on a planner, or just writing it on a planner. How you end up managing this is personal preference. When I use Google calendar, I would put the tasks on a day, then once I'd completed them I'd edit the event and record the time that I did the task (7:15-7:45 read chapter 2). Any tasks not completed get moved over to the next day. When I used Post-it notes, I would record the time I started on the task, then remove the Post-it when I was done. Written on a calendar I would record the time, and then I'd know if something hadn't been completed if it didn't have a time (though crossing out or checking off when completed may be more rewarding). Personally I like Post-its and Google calendar to writing directly on a calendar because it's inevitable that things need to get moved around and it's just easier. Also, I highly suggest that you building lots of cushion time, especially for large projects. If that 10-page paper is due on the 31st, plan on having it done on the 21st, so you've got a whole extra 10 days in case you get behind. (And then lie to yourself and tell yourself it absolutely has to be done by the 21st. Seriously, put some pressure on yourself for that false deadline or it's not worth it.) Give yourself room to have a slack day. (You should also build in time for fun - give yourself a day off every once in a while, because it's hard to stay motivated if all you do is work, work, work.)
The last tip is to set up a reward system for yourself. Either you get rewarded at the completion of a major project, or after doing a particularly difficult task, or something you really didn't want to do. Whatever you need to be most motivated for. And then you pick rewards that are small and healthy. "Binge watch season 3 of Game of Thrones" is not a good reward, especially if it's for "complete side 1 of a worksheet." But getting to watch half an hour of TV or Youtube videos, having a cookie or a cup of hot cocoa (or whatever it is that makes you happy), talking to a friend for a few minutes, these might be good rewards. The point is to pick things that won't derail you completely, won't negatively impact your health (one cookie, not the whole bag), and are enough to motivate you to get that task done.
I know that it can be hard to get started on a project when you're dealing with depression. That's why you break it down into manageable chunks. That's why you reward yourself. That's why you track it somehow, so you can look back and see how much you've done. I know that it can be the HARDEST thing to just get out of bed and do something, anything, even the things you want to do. I know that you might think "I'm going to fail this anyway, so I might as well not start." This is where you tell depression to suck it. It is a liar, and is always underestimating you and your abilities. You can do this. Tell yourself that. Repeat it until you believe it.
Build a system that works for you. Is it easier to study with a friend? Maybe you can schedule a weekly study date with someone. Is it hard to study with a friend, or are you always getting interrupted by people (I'm thinking about dorm rooms here, they can be a huge source of distractions)? Block off time on your calendar for studying and put up a "do not disturb" sign. Hate reading? Devise a way to make it mildly interesting, such as multicolor highlighters or taking notes to put it in your own words, or... rewarding yourself with the top post on r/awww after each section (but don't let yourself get sucked in!).
One last thing: I would always work on my calendar at the very beginning of the semester right after getting the syllabus. I'd spend a few hours breaking everything down and scheduling it out for the whole semester (because I really like organizing things). And then I'd see it there, in front of me, and get totally overwhelmed, especially once I'd done it for all my classes. In that moment, it looks insurmountable, like there's absolutely no way all that work will get done. Take a deep breath. Look at a single day. The tasks on any one day are do-able, right? (If they're not, shuffle things around!) You can do this. You CAN do this.
Lastly, realize that there will be times when you fail, when you can't get everything done, when you try your hardest and it's not enough, or when you can't find the energy to try. That is OK. Every day is a new day. You will try again tomorrow. You will keep trying, because you know that you CAN do this. Yesterday you had a set-back, but you don't need to throw in the towel. Keep moving forward. Other people might have some ideas that will work better for you - it really depends on what you're studying, what level you're at (high school and grad school have very different assignments), what your existing study habits are, and what your preferences are. As you can tell, I'm a detail-oriented person who likes lists and colored pens and organizing everything to the nth degree. Maybe you're a socially motivated person and tweeting every time you finish an assignment is the reward for you. Maybe you're athletic and going for a run is the reward for you. Maybe video games are your thing, and getting to play for half an hour is the reward for you. The point is to make it yours.
And remember that you CAN do it. Even when you think you can't, you CAN.
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