Suggestions for someone unmotivated academically in early sobriety (under a year)?

Question

Just not feeling as though I can do much of anything academically, want to focus more on my sobriety and spirituality. My sponsor asked if I want to take the semester off- I definitely don't want to do that. Just in a sober rut I suppose- suggestions?

Answer 1

Congrats for your sober time!!
If your sponsor made a suggestion, it may be worth looking in to. I assume that since you have this sponsor they know you pretty well and you trust them.
It is very easy in early recovery to "settle in", and thats okay.
You feel good, your making new sober friends, that don't want anything from you but to be your friend, you are learning alot about yourself and your higher power, its Awesome. Unfortunately we have to step away from that into the real world and to our life and what we need to do with it. If you are not feeling that you are motivated to do and give your best this semester, why would you want to go and do a "half way" job. You really answered your own question, with your question here!! And isn't there $$ involved? You don't want to just throw that away for a mediocre grade that may be useless to you and you will be forever working to improve your GPA behind it.
You are new in your "New Skin", you may decide once all of the cob webs clear that you want to go a whole differant direction, so whats the hurry. One day at a time right?
Also, although this may not be the case with you, but I feel it must be said, is that as we obtain sobriety we find that there are other issues we must address such as depression or other body chemistry issues we may have. That should come before any other big decisions are made.
As addicts and alcoholics we most certainly did not make sound decisions, making them now that we are sober is one of the blessings I will charish the most from this process.
Good Luck to You, and have faith, you'll do the right thing.

Call you Sponsor! :-)

Answer 2

I went to a 2-year college after I was discharged from the Navy my 1st - 3rd years of sobriety. No major, no curriculum - just get the English 101, basic computer skills and college algebra that I was going to have to have no matter what degree I pursued. It got me into the routine of being somewhere on time and I had to interact with people outside of the program in the real world. Later, when I figured out what I wanted to be when I grow up, I declared a major and pursued my degree.

Answer 3

Caffeine is also a drug that is a mood elevator. But I drink it, and it helps me study. Don't drink it if it has a different effect on you, or if it's against the terms you set for your own sobreity. I know recovering alcoholics can really suck down the coffee.

Where do you assume you'll get your work done? At home? No surprise then, because most people suck at getting academic things done at home.

Try planting yourself in a library or coffee shop until your work is truly done for the day. Don't go home until you can allow yourself to truly relax, which can only really happen if your stuff is done.