Full text for the question:
"Here's the deal MM,I want to be a doctor.However,my anatomy midterm came back 72%.I know I can do better than that.(Note:I'm 16) I think half of the problem is I'm taking care of a family of 5, and juggling housework and homework is difficult.
The other half is I'm a lazy ass.Im perfectly happy to waste my time on the internet when I should be studying.That's why I need you to tell me to get off my ass and get to work.Thanks."
72%?!!! That is pathetic! It is only Anatomy, not String Theory! No internet for a week!
Well, you wanted Dad Mode, right?
Speaking of which, where are your parents? I thought one question from a 16 year old running the household was unusual. Now I find it is not. That kinda makes me sad.
First off, you have my respect. That is not something lightly given either. Yet I am going to shout at you.
Your future, at your age, is more important than the present. Yeah, you hear that all the time. Mainly because it is true. What you do now will set the course of your life. You are old enough to know what you want. Means you are old enough to set priorities.
Your priority is your education and your dreams. Dishes and dust don't build up that fast, and I assume your siblings can handle washing up and running the washing machine. Why should the housework all be on you? Even a three year old can keep their room tidy - ok, tidyish.
As for your surfing instead of studying, wiser minds than yours or mine have the same problem. The only way to deal with it is to be stubborn. You need to research - then bookmark interesting side tracks for later. Homework first. Write that on a sticky note and stick it to your computer.
So what are you doing reading this a second time?
GET STUDYING!
Damned little sisters and their procrastination.
Make sure you schedule a little "me" time in there for you to unwind and recharge. Maybe that is why you are procrastinating because you need a break. Do things that recharge you and when it is time to study, it is time to study. One other thing that might help, go to the library or somewhere else where you don't have easy access to a computer. Then there is no temptation :-).
procrastination is my devil too. this is all wonderful advice. i too find stories like this so sad though. just remember you are growing stronger through these experiences, but don't let your home hijack your own life, because you deserve to follow your dreams too. i'm not 16, but i am a single parent, juggling a family, a business, and am president of a non profit organization, AND in my "spare time" trying to find my "big break" in writing. you may want to read MM's post earlier this week to the 16 year old pursuing her writing dreams. it can be done, but time slips too fast and the last thing you want to do is wake up one day when you are 30, and your entire family has successfully moved on with your life, and you're like, what? what happened to mine? you DESERVE to have what you want too. for the family members that are old enough to pick up an item, make a chore chart. you HAVE to delegate, you can not take all of this on your own and it is unfair of anyone to even ask you to. cook and freeze some dinners on the weekend so you can just pop 'em in the oven during the week, and get help doing that. i can't believe i'm giving that advice to a 16 year old, breaks my heart, but...you can do it. turn the Internet off young lady unless you need it for research, and give yourself 30 minutes of fun surf time AFTER you've read your 3 chapters, or done 3 assignments, or whatever your goal is. 2 hours of school work, 30 minutes of Internet time or texting with your friends time, or whatever, and the housework that isn't taken care of by your delegation can wait. the people that read med school applications don't care that yours is late because the floor was dirty. i just put this on my facebook status, it may be appropriate here, "remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose if you try to follow your dream. ~ steve jobs" time slips too fast, and you deserve you time, no matter what part of YOU you are honoring when you take it. good luck!!
I'm the OP, and thanks MM, I needed someone to yell at me.
My mom and dad are separated (which is for the better) and my mom is either at work or helping my mentally retarded brother.
My mom and dad just recently separated, and so we've been getting our footing, and I won't go into the whole story, but just about every possible curveball has been thrown at us (everywhere from broken dishwashers to broken ribs).
One line really helped:
72%?!!! That is pathetic! It is only Anatomy, not String Theory! No internet for a week!
As I said previously I needed someone to yell at me, since my mom almost never yells at me about homework.
And yeah, I was even talking to her suggesting no internet for a week last night.
Thanks MM, you helped put me in perspective. I'll study before I surf :)
You know, you seem really bright. I don't have advice, but it seems like you know what you need to do. It's not often I hear a sixteen-year-old acknowledge that they need yelling at!
Stay as strong as you are and try your best!
Hey, sometimes a guy likes being big brother.
Any time.
And I expect to see 90% or more on the next exams.
@Sparrow Thanks, :) Gotta realize I'm not perfect (at least most of the time) and I'm human.
@MM I'll be sure to let you know what I get in the spring, and it's gunna be over 90 :D
Oh, to the commenters: thanks for your advice! I'll definetly keep them in mind. :)
If you love the internet there are so many great sites that can help you out. Anatomy and medical mnemonics are so helpful. There is one for just about everything medical. Print them out. I put the tricky ones in ziplock bags and taped them to my shower wall and sang or said them every shower. I kid you not. I worked very hard and with the help of great sites and mnemonics I did well.
When writing a test I recommend the following: You use every minute of test time. Read the test through before answering anything. Then with each question make sure you are clear on what they are asking. I recommend you read each question at least three times before answering. These are tricky tests that cull out people that don't truly know their material. You will get better at taking these tests as time goes on.
The first year of anatomy is hard. Once you get that behind you it will get easier.