STAYING MOTIVATED
Last week, I invited you to note the tools that were working for you to ensure that you gave yourself credit where credit was due, and would keep on using what worked.
This week I’m going to share what other students have found keeps them motivated through the stub end of the term through to exams. So many students, with such different backgrounds — yet there are recurring themes.
Here’s a smorgasbord of what students say keeps them going:
“I use protocol to get through the day, through the week so I don’t have to waste time deciding what to do next.”
“I schedule. I have a to-do list and get the must-do’s on my calendar.”
“I don’t stay cooped up. Getting to the gym is important. Getting outside is important.”
“I do better when I stay fit. I bike or go to the gym.”
“I prepared for setbacks. I felt less distracted having a plan B for not getting into law school. [As you know, I got in!]”
“I set desirable, acceptable, and minimal goals. If I set a 4.1 GPA goal, I’m so stressed.”
“I remember that last term I had more Cs than Bs, and now I’m looking like getting more Bs than Cs. That gets me going for that extra effort.”
“I keep my work area free from clutter.”
“I don’t game at my desk. SWITCH is great!
“I have a study buddy. That keeps both of us from skipping the problem sets.”
“My peer group for problem sets is a godsend.”
“I know I’m going to fall off my schedule and intentions–I just don’t let it go on forever!”
“I keep my structure sensible. I used to go I couldn’t go any more, then
I’d just shut down. Now I have a sustainable structure.”
“I remember what you said about endorsing for effort. That helps me keep on making those efforts.”
“I tackle stuff a task at a time and fit it into my overall plan.”
What these students have in common is something you may have taken in your psych courses–metacognition. They think about how they keep motivated, and build the conditions for motivation into how they get through each study session, each day, each week.
It’s a mindset that’s all about keeping on keeping on and what it takes to do that.
Brainstorming with students to help them choose the tactics and mould the strategy that keeps them going is much of what academic coaching is about. Connect with me [email protected] to brainstorm and change up your motivation strategy.
The information in this blog cannot take the place of support from your own mental health professional or community health resources.” Reach out to them.” And IF YOU ARE IN CRISIS, PLEASE DIAL 911.”