Motivation

Some students practice self-defeating behaviors because they don't have both long and short-term goals to work towards, because they don't really value what they are learning, or because they don't really want to be in college. In addition, some students have a hard time being motivated in college because, unlike high school, in college no one is telling them what do to; it is up to the student to make intelligent choices and stick to them. The following are a few things to think about regarding your motivation.

At the start of each new semester, set a short-term goal for each class you are taking. For example, you may want to get a certain grade in a class, or you may want to get all the readings done before they are lectured on in a certain class. You may also just set the goal of not missing a class. Setting short-term goals like this will help keep you focused and give more purpose to your daily study routine.
Think about your long-term goals. For example, you may want to become a teacher when you graduate. Keep this goal in mind and remember that each class you take is important because (A) it may give you information that will help you become a better teacher, (B) the grade you receive in each class will contribute to your overall GPA, which, if it is good, will help you get a job and (C) it will make you a more knowledgeable person who is better able to make informed decisions and judgments. In other words, think about how what you are doing right now will affect your larger goals.
Think about how you do or don't value learning in general. It is very hard to maintain good study habits if you don't value what you are learning, or if you don't see the usefulness in obtaining new knowledge.
Think about why you are in college in the first place. Are you here because you value a college education? Because your parents want you to be here? Because all your friends are going to college and you don't know what else to do with your life right now? Think about what is best for you right now and it will be much easier to stay motivated. Motivation that doesn't come from within is difficult to maintain.


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Motivation Some students practice self-defeating behaviors because they don't have both long and short-term goals to work towards, because they don't really value what they are learning, or because they don't really want to be in college. In addition, some students have a hard time being motivated in college because, unlike high school, in college no one is telling them what do to; it is up to the student to make intelligent choices and stick to them. The following are a few things to think about regarding your motivation. At the start of each new semester, set a short-term goal for each class you are taking. For example, you may want to get a certain grade in a class, or you may want to get all the readings done before they are lectured on in a certain class. You may also just set the goal of not missing a class. Setting short-term goals like this will help keep you focused and give more purpose to your daily study routine. Think about your long-term goals. For example, you may want to become a teacher when you graduate. Keep this goal in mind and remember that each class you take is important because (A) it may give you information that will help you become a better teacher, (B) the grade you receive in each class will contribute to your overall GPA, which, if it is good, will help you get a job and (C) it will make you a more knowledgeable person who is better able to make informed decisions and judgments. In other words, think about how what you are doing right now will affect your larger goals. Think about how you do or don't value learning in general. It is very hard to maintain good study habits if you don't value what you are learning, or if you don't see the usefulness in obtaining new knowledge. Think about why you are in college in the first place. Are you here because you value a college education? Because your parents want you to be here? Because all your friends are going to college and you don't know what else to do with your life right now? Think about what is best for you right now and it will be much easier to stay motivated. Motivation that doesn't come from within is difficult to maintain.
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