GETTING AND STAYING MOTIVATEDLUNCH AND LEARNSTUDENT SUCCESS

Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.

- Arthur Godfrey

Motivation is the academic glue that holds everything together

It’s tempting to blame a lack of motivation on others – a boring professor or an annoying roommate – but YOU are responsible for your own motivation!

No one else can motivate you if you don’t have your own internal motivation.

But motivation can be fleeting, and you need strategies to tap into your motivation…..

So let’s get motivated!

Setting Goals

Students who set goals – long and short term – are more motivated to complete those goals.

Chances are you already set goals for personal things like losing weight and exercising, but you can and should set academic goals as well.

Having defined goals can also help you become motivated in classes you don’t particularly like!

So before each semester begins, jot down 3 goals you’d like to reach within that semester.

Always make sure your goals are…

Specific – Are your goals clearly defined? Clearly defined goals keep your eye on the prize

Measurable – Are your goals clearly measured? Measurable goals help you track your progress

Realistic – Can your goals be reached? Realistic goals are more easily achieved

Flexible – Are my goals adjustable? Life is always changing and flexible goals can

help you adjust to these changes as needed

Different Types of Goals

Setting short term and intermediate goals will help you better achieve your long term goal…

Short Term – Learning 10 new words in French every week

Intermediate – Learn the basics of French in a year

Long Term – Studying abroad in France

Process Goals

Process Goals are goals that describe what we will do to reach our desired outcome

These goals help us reach the short term and intermediate goals on the way to our long term goals

A process goal for learning French vocabulary would be to make vocabulary cards – without these cards, your short term goal may never be met

Goals need to be set at different levels

Set goals so they are a tiny bit beyond your grasp, but not so far that they are completely out of reach

Reaching slightly challenging goals can do wonders for your motivation!

Remember to consider factors around you when setting your goals: tiredness, family/social commitments, and other outside influences

The better you set your goals, the more motivated you’ll be!

Suggestions for Getting Motivated

Break up big assignments into smaller chunks

Use the five minute rule Work on something for 5 minutes, once you get started

you will find that you won’t stop after the set time

Set goals for each study session

Reward yourself

Seek help if you need it

Suggestions for Staying Motivated

Use intrinsic and extrinsic motivation

Add variety

Organize a study group

Keep a schedule

Use positive self-talk

Take breaks

Suggestions for Reviving Your Motivation Reevaluate your goals

Add more choices to your life

Relate schoolwork to your life

Seek professional help if needed

Don’t hibernate

Prioritize

Keep tabs on your motivation

Try to recognize when your motivation breaks down and what things led you to become unmotivated

Once you are able to see what affects your motivation, you will be better able to make adjustments to keep your motivation soaring!