Motivation

The major difference between students who reach their potential by graduation — and those who don’t — is motivation. Students with greater motivation will really dig in and learn as much as possible for the time and money spent on their education.

The most important factors interfering with motivation are:

• depression from feeling overburdened with class work,

• homesickness or difficulty adjusting to new lifestyle,

• peer pressure to resist studying, personal relationships and family problems, and
  unclear career goals.

If you think you have a motivation problem, the following suggestions may help. [Remember that procrastination in completing academic assignments often indicates low motivation.]

• Develop some realistic, concrete reasons for spending one to three years of your life doing whatever is necessary to earn your degree.

• Produce some realistic, concrete career goals that are appropriate to your abilities and interests.

• Relate present academic work to your future career goals. Having meaningful educational goals is the key to having positive academic attitudes.

• Spend time with others already in your profession to reinforce your plans.

• Find part-time and summer work that relates to your chosen field. [See our Career Services Office.]

• Decide what grade you want in each course and then record your progress.

This makes your studying more purposeful and identifies which courses need extra study time. The following website also has helpful information on motivation: http://www.Academictips.com/collegemotivation.org