Hello again, frequent readers. Welcome, first time readers. The next thing I wanted to post about isn't so much a struggle as a method I've been using to help me get work done.
Back some time ago, even before middle school, I was getting (once again) overwhelmed by my homework. I saw it as an impossible task, and described it to my mom as "like trying to move an entire house all by myself," or something like that. Using that analogy, Mom suggested that I start by moving one "brick" at a time. I would work for a short while or do some specific assignment, take a very short break, work, break, and so on. And, amazingly, it WORKED! Though obviously I lost some work time to the breaks, having a chance to blow steam and do leisure things I would think of while working helped me get MORE done during my work times. It also made the school less daunting as having smaller bits to work on really did make me less stressed than having the only light or freedom at the end of a long dark tunnel.
This "brick system" has been one of the most helpful tools for me as I work. It's nothing more than the idea of making the cycle of breaks and work shorter For instance, taking a 5 minute break after 25 minutes worth of work instead of 30 minutes after 2 and a half hours. It's flexible, and doesn't take any kind of preparing or organizing, and I can just stop taking breaks if for some reason it stops working.
The major drawbacks to it, though, is that it does cut in on work time, and doesn't always work. Even with the 5:1 ratio, I am forfeiting what could be up to two hours of my day spent otherwise working for a system that, if it works, is worth the extra time. However, sometimes it can be more distracting than helpful, and becomes little more than an excuse for me to play two collective hours of video games. Other times, I have issues switching gears to working, and end up taking 30 minute breaks. Despite the holes in the plan, though, the bricks system both makes work less daunting and gives me a chance to do or work on whatever leisure thing I want to get done.
I hope that this idea works, if any of you happen to try it, and I would love to hear from you if you've ever done things like this before. Leave a comment! Until next time.
-Caleb
Monday, May 24, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Organized... or Not.
Hello again, faithful readers. Been a somewhat busy past few days, hence my lack of posting. I appreciate the feedback I've been getting about this; feel free to keep it coming.
Today's issue is probably going to be confusing even for me to talk about, as it's something that I can never really seem to get right: organization.
I'll start with the obvious: It's good to stay organized with homework, jobs, and so fourth. I have in fact seen that I get more done when I make lists, plan, and keep my work sorted and neat. One of the most useful tools in CROWN has been a master list I make of all my subjects. I would make a Word document with a category for each individual class, list any work I had in each subject, then create a separate section called "Yet to Do" where I would copy and paste everything, and erase it as I went. This REALLY helped me see at a glance what I had left, and figure out what else I needed to do.
Another aspect of my system, and one that I would recommend to anyone trying to organize their work, was that I would try to be flexible with it, and would change it as my needs changed. When I forgot to pack things for Friday classes, I made a list of things to pack. When I had issues keeping track of what I've already DONE each week, I would create a section for that. At times I was REALLY worried, I even grouped remaining assignments together on what days I could attempt to do them, or highlighted them by difficulty so I could get harder stuff out of the way.
A danger of relying on lists like this though is that they can be overdone. And what was often my most useful tool often became one of my most frustrating distractions. Updating the list alone would often take about 30 minutes to an hour at the beginning of the week (which, with my focus, often translated to a whole afternoon lost). And editing and adjusting it would often take longer than needed. Other times it was just something for me to stare blankly at trying to choose which assignment to do (I highly recommend this task to anyone who needs to be prevented from actually choosing and doing an assignment).
One thing I often tried that I could never make work for me is schedules. Being homeschooled, I am somewhat used to flexible schedules, as is the rest of my family. Schedules are hard to stick to when you have to plan around things like appointments and visits, siblings' plans, and, most frustratingly, my own unpredictability of focus. On the rare occasion I tried to stick to an hour-by-hour plan, it failed after a few days, if that. (If anyone has figured out how to make schedules work, let me know)
So altogether, where is the perfect number between planning and overplanning? I'll let you know when I find it, but experimenting alone has helped me find things, like my list, that help to at least some extent. So feel free to experiment! Just... stop when you see something isn't working. I suppose the trick is making sure you know yourself. The more I figured out my patterns, and what distracted me, then I could start working around it. When I found something was more trouble than it was worth, then I would stop it. Self-honesty about what you should and shouldn't plan around is useful not only for Aspies, but to people in general.
So what about you? What kinds of lists or schedules do you use? Have you found any kind of "perfect number" for yourself? Leave a comment and tell me your story. High-fives and Vulcan Salutes to all!
-Caleb
Today's issue is probably going to be confusing even for me to talk about, as it's something that I can never really seem to get right: organization.
I'll start with the obvious: It's good to stay organized with homework, jobs, and so fourth. I have in fact seen that I get more done when I make lists, plan, and keep my work sorted and neat. One of the most useful tools in CROWN has been a master list I make of all my subjects. I would make a Word document with a category for each individual class, list any work I had in each subject, then create a separate section called "Yet to Do" where I would copy and paste everything, and erase it as I went. This REALLY helped me see at a glance what I had left, and figure out what else I needed to do.
Another aspect of my system, and one that I would recommend to anyone trying to organize their work, was that I would try to be flexible with it, and would change it as my needs changed. When I forgot to pack things for Friday classes, I made a list of things to pack. When I had issues keeping track of what I've already DONE each week, I would create a section for that. At times I was REALLY worried, I even grouped remaining assignments together on what days I could attempt to do them, or highlighted them by difficulty so I could get harder stuff out of the way.
A danger of relying on lists like this though is that they can be overdone. And what was often my most useful tool often became one of my most frustrating distractions. Updating the list alone would often take about 30 minutes to an hour at the beginning of the week (which, with my focus, often translated to a whole afternoon lost). And editing and adjusting it would often take longer than needed. Other times it was just something for me to stare blankly at trying to choose which assignment to do (I highly recommend this task to anyone who needs to be prevented from actually choosing and doing an assignment).
One thing I often tried that I could never make work for me is schedules. Being homeschooled, I am somewhat used to flexible schedules, as is the rest of my family. Schedules are hard to stick to when you have to plan around things like appointments and visits, siblings' plans, and, most frustratingly, my own unpredictability of focus. On the rare occasion I tried to stick to an hour-by-hour plan, it failed after a few days, if that. (If anyone has figured out how to make schedules work, let me know)
So altogether, where is the perfect number between planning and overplanning? I'll let you know when I find it, but experimenting alone has helped me find things, like my list, that help to at least some extent. So feel free to experiment! Just... stop when you see something isn't working. I suppose the trick is making sure you know yourself. The more I figured out my patterns, and what distracted me, then I could start working around it. When I found something was more trouble than it was worth, then I would stop it. Self-honesty about what you should and shouldn't plan around is useful not only for Aspies, but to people in general.
So what about you? What kinds of lists or schedules do you use? Have you found any kind of "perfect number" for yourself? Leave a comment and tell me your story. High-fives and Vulcan Salutes to all!
-Caleb
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Science Fiction and Fantasy
Despite what my last two posts might imply, I don't want to use this entire Blog simply for discussing my Aspergers. Today I'm going to write about some stuff I've been thinking about, especially in the past year, and anyone with additional thoughts or disagreements, by all means, join in!
I'm a HUGE fan of science fiction and fantasy. Most of the stories I write, or try to write, end up being one or the other, if not both. I actually have some level of trouble coming out with "normal" stories. If no one becomes a superhero, fights aliens, or has anything abnormal happen to them, then I don't write it.
What I wanted to bring up though, is my personal thoughts on science fiction vs fantasy. I think that a lot of literature, even literature that isn't nessisarily SF or fantasy, contains elements of them. Fantasy as a literary element is defined by Perrine's Literature as something that "trancends the bounds of known reality" (Page 283). Fantasy literature, then, is a story that relies on something that we know is impossible, forcing us into a suspension of disbelief.
Science Fiction is somewhat different. Though it may, and usually does, rely on an element of fantasy, it focuses less on the element of impossability, and more on how this small effect might affect the theme, or raise questions about it. A great example of this is Frankenstein, by Mary Shelly. It only uses a small level of impossible events -- that science can create a living being from dead matter, but spends most of the plot exploring the ethical and philosphical questions that would come from creating something like that. SF then, is concerned with the "what if" questions. Taking some possibility or impossibiliy, and showing what might happen because of it.
More on the SF, I think that there are two types of Sci Fi and Fantasy. I think that classic, more literary SF is designed with a message. It forces the reader to analyse the question of "what if." Shelly, Wells, and Hawthorne would write thier SF and fantasy to spread thier beliefs, and the reader leaves the story with fresh thoughts on the topic.
Most modern SciFi and fantasy, such as Star Trek, Stargate, Harry Potter, and so on, however, are more entertainment-based. The author is showcasing thier own ability to imagine the answers to the questions. The reader or viewer does not leave with thier mind provoked, but inspired. The beauty isn't in what you think or learn, but in what you see and feel.
Does anyone agree or disagree with my opinions on this? Does anyone have anything to add? I would love to hear from readers about what they think of this.
Your Brother in Christ,
-Caleb
I'm a HUGE fan of science fiction and fantasy. Most of the stories I write, or try to write, end up being one or the other, if not both. I actually have some level of trouble coming out with "normal" stories. If no one becomes a superhero, fights aliens, or has anything abnormal happen to them, then I don't write it.
What I wanted to bring up though, is my personal thoughts on science fiction vs fantasy. I think that a lot of literature, even literature that isn't nessisarily SF or fantasy, contains elements of them. Fantasy as a literary element is defined by Perrine's Literature as something that "trancends the bounds of known reality" (Page 283). Fantasy literature, then, is a story that relies on something that we know is impossible, forcing us into a suspension of disbelief.
Science Fiction is somewhat different. Though it may, and usually does, rely on an element of fantasy, it focuses less on the element of impossability, and more on how this small effect might affect the theme, or raise questions about it. A great example of this is Frankenstein, by Mary Shelly. It only uses a small level of impossible events -- that science can create a living being from dead matter, but spends most of the plot exploring the ethical and philosphical questions that would come from creating something like that. SF then, is concerned with the "what if" questions. Taking some possibility or impossibiliy, and showing what might happen because of it.
More on the SF, I think that there are two types of Sci Fi and Fantasy. I think that classic, more literary SF is designed with a message. It forces the reader to analyse the question of "what if." Shelly, Wells, and Hawthorne would write thier SF and fantasy to spread thier beliefs, and the reader leaves the story with fresh thoughts on the topic.
Most modern SciFi and fantasy, such as Star Trek, Stargate, Harry Potter, and so on, however, are more entertainment-based. The author is showcasing thier own ability to imagine the answers to the questions. The reader or viewer does not leave with thier mind provoked, but inspired. The beauty isn't in what you think or learn, but in what you see and feel.
Does anyone agree or disagree with my opinions on this? Does anyone have anything to add? I would love to hear from readers about what they think of this.
Your Brother in Christ,
-Caleb
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Noise!
So far I seem to have positive feedback. Hopefully as time goes on I'll get a better idea of what exactly I want to be doing on here, so that I can do it better. For now, though, I wanted to mention another quirk I've had with my Aspergers, and aside from my focus, one of the most persistent -- my struggle with loud noises.
This has shown up in my life with some regularity. I was afraid of movie theaters until high school, I can only take so much of loud concerts, and if car music becomes too loud I start to feel tense. Even in things aside from noise -- chaotic lights, huge crowds, and so on -- often bother me. The biggest way I've dealt with this is simple; leave the room. Whether I actually leave and go home, or just take a few moments for myself before returning, I've found that the silence helps me calm down so I can go back if I need to. For times when this doesn't work, I sometimes use soundproof earmuffs or earplugs. Closing my eyes and plugging my ears, even, has had some levels of effectiveness.
I think this brings up a point I want to emphasise for people who have similar frustrations -- It is OKAY to leave when you need to! If you're at a friends house and things are getting loud, it won't be a huge deal to walk off to get some air or silence for a few minutes if you need it. If you have some commitment to where you are, or just can't leave, then knowing ahead of time to bring earplugs might help, but even if you pay money or however much to get into a concert or movie, staying isn't going to get you your money's worth any more than leaving will. I would rather lose my money than pay for something I find unpleasant. And each time something goes wrong and I'm in an uncomfortable situation again, I now KNOW to plan ahead for similar things. I learned to bring earplugs to places I need them because of the struggles I had when I didn't.
Before I conclude this post, I want to give a thanks to friends and family (you all know who you are) who have been willing to help me when they see I'm getting overwhelmed, or have at least put up with me when I get tense and quirky. You have no idea how much it helps just knowing other people can tell when I'm bothered by stuff.
So does anyone have other thoughts to add? Stories they'd like to share? Any comments or feedback is welcomed!
-Caleb
This has shown up in my life with some regularity. I was afraid of movie theaters until high school, I can only take so much of loud concerts, and if car music becomes too loud I start to feel tense. Even in things aside from noise -- chaotic lights, huge crowds, and so on -- often bother me. The biggest way I've dealt with this is simple; leave the room. Whether I actually leave and go home, or just take a few moments for myself before returning, I've found that the silence helps me calm down so I can go back if I need to. For times when this doesn't work, I sometimes use soundproof earmuffs or earplugs. Closing my eyes and plugging my ears, even, has had some levels of effectiveness.
I think this brings up a point I want to emphasise for people who have similar frustrations -- It is OKAY to leave when you need to! If you're at a friends house and things are getting loud, it won't be a huge deal to walk off to get some air or silence for a few minutes if you need it. If you have some commitment to where you are, or just can't leave, then knowing ahead of time to bring earplugs might help, but even if you pay money or however much to get into a concert or movie, staying isn't going to get you your money's worth any more than leaving will. I would rather lose my money than pay for something I find unpleasant. And each time something goes wrong and I'm in an uncomfortable situation again, I now KNOW to plan ahead for similar things. I learned to bring earplugs to places I need them because of the struggles I had when I didn't.
Before I conclude this post, I want to give a thanks to friends and family (you all know who you are) who have been willing to help me when they see I'm getting overwhelmed, or have at least put up with me when I get tense and quirky. You have no idea how much it helps just knowing other people can tell when I'm bothered by stuff.
So does anyone have other thoughts to add? Stories they'd like to share? Any comments or feedback is welcomed!
-Caleb
Getting Started
Hey everyone, I decided to start a Blog again! I'm going to try to post about different events in my life, and musings when I have enough thoughts to post (which is almost always the case) from the perspective of someone with Aspergers. Obviously I can't compare life with to life without, and anyone who's just here to figure out how to get thier AS friend/child/student/sibling/whatever to sit down and shut up will be struck with a numbing dissapointment. I'm also not going to get into a long discussion about what exactly Aspergers is, as I couldn't even retain enough interest to write about it, let alone expect you to have enough interest to read it. For more information on that, I recommend this lovely place.
What I WILL post about is common struggles I myself often go through, and how I deal with them. I'm also planning to post quite a bit on my thoughts on different subjects, hoping to start a discussion on them, or inform people of my opinions. If anyone has a specific topic they want to read or discuss here, you can email me at Sonikid@sbcglobal.net. Finally, I may occasionally post about events in my life, or things that are going on, but I'm hoping to not do too much of that, as most of my readers might have been AT events I post about.
I'll start with a few of the things that come up with me the most often. And THE number one struggle with me at the moment is concentration. Few of my friends have never had a conversation with me where I didn't zone out or lose focus (if you've talked to me and don't think I have, then it's only that I didn't tell you), and I can rarely sit through a speech, lecture, book, or sermon without my mind leaving what I'm listening to and daydreaming about some story, some memory, or some plan I might have. As far as reading goes, my main way of dealing with that when I'm alone is a kitchen timer. I set it to go off every 3-5 minutes, then set it again. If I am being particularly inattentive when reading, I lower the minutes to 1 or 2. After that, I can only zone out for a few minutes before I am suddenly reminded to get back to work.
With reading, another way I found to help me think straight is using audiobooks instead of reading. It forces me to keep moving on and not stare idly at a single paragraph for hours. The downside here is that if I do lose focus, it's harder to rewind than it is to reread. A method I sometimes use to focus for this, though this one is possibly one of the hardest to use right, is to do something that takes up enough focus that I can't be distracted, but not so much I can't ALSO think about what I'm listening to. When I listen to audiobooks, I've found it helpful to pull out my Lego bucket and build figures and robots with them. I can listen to what's being said and process it, but my brain is interested enough in the legos to wander anywhere that what I'm listening to can't follow.
Anyway, I seem to be off to an okay start with this blog. Feel free to leave a comment on whether you plan to check in here frequently, or if there's something else you want me to talk about. Look forward to hearing from you!
-Caleb
What I WILL post about is common struggles I myself often go through, and how I deal with them. I'm also planning to post quite a bit on my thoughts on different subjects, hoping to start a discussion on them, or inform people of my opinions. If anyone has a specific topic they want to read or discuss here, you can email me at Sonikid@sbcglobal.net. Finally, I may occasionally post about events in my life, or things that are going on, but I'm hoping to not do too much of that, as most of my readers might have been AT events I post about.
I'll start with a few of the things that come up with me the most often. And THE number one struggle with me at the moment is concentration. Few of my friends have never had a conversation with me where I didn't zone out or lose focus (if you've talked to me and don't think I have, then it's only that I didn't tell you), and I can rarely sit through a speech, lecture, book, or sermon without my mind leaving what I'm listening to and daydreaming about some story, some memory, or some plan I might have. As far as reading goes, my main way of dealing with that when I'm alone is a kitchen timer. I set it to go off every 3-5 minutes, then set it again. If I am being particularly inattentive when reading, I lower the minutes to 1 or 2. After that, I can only zone out for a few minutes before I am suddenly reminded to get back to work.
With reading, another way I found to help me think straight is using audiobooks instead of reading. It forces me to keep moving on and not stare idly at a single paragraph for hours. The downside here is that if I do lose focus, it's harder to rewind than it is to reread. A method I sometimes use to focus for this, though this one is possibly one of the hardest to use right, is to do something that takes up enough focus that I can't be distracted, but not so much I can't ALSO think about what I'm listening to. When I listen to audiobooks, I've found it helpful to pull out my Lego bucket and build figures and robots with them. I can listen to what's being said and process it, but my brain is interested enough in the legos to wander anywhere that what I'm listening to can't follow.
Anyway, I seem to be off to an okay start with this blog. Feel free to leave a comment on whether you plan to check in here frequently, or if there's something else you want me to talk about. Look forward to hearing from you!
-Caleb
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