Completing your college degree is a huge milestone that can accelerate your life and open doors to a profitable future career. Though you know the end results are worth the hard work, it is easy to lose motivation. The loss of student motivation has been especially evident during the recent pandemic when most college courses transitioned to an online form. It seems the closer you get to the completion of your college education, the harder it is to stay focused. How can you stay motivated in college?
I have been a college professor more than a decade. I have seen the ambition of college students fizzle. Over the course of my tenure, I have identified many reasons why students no longer have the self discipline to continue being successful in their course. It is an easy fix if you identify the reason for your lack of motivation. Here are 10 proven tips to stay motivated in college.
Establish A Routine
College life can be tough. Many students find it hard to adjust to the new schedule that includes balancing school and many times work. In addition, there may be worries about the financial burden incurred.
Successful students establish a routine. This is the first step to staying motivated while in college. Your routine should not only include the coursework involved in taking each college class but should also include your extracurricular activities and work schedules.
Time management is the hardest part of establishing a focused and intentional routine. Here is the best way to prioritize important tasks:
- Go to bed early to get enough sleep, but get up a bit earlier so you do not have to rush. The extra time will allow you to calmly prepare for the day. Dedicate this additional time in the day to not only your studies but also to the management of your daily life.
- Have a good breakfast. Breakfast marks the start of the day and will energize you.
- Take time to get dressed and look your best. Looking great on the outside will motivate you to have an incredible day.
- Tick off small tasks to feel more productive. Feeling productive affects your overall mindset.
Depending on the number of college classes you are taking, it is important at the beginning of the semester to establish a study schedule. This plan should include time set aside during the week specifically dedicated to working on coursework, assignments, or readings. An example would be that every Monday night, I will read chapters assigned to me and I will complete my homework on Tuesday night.
Create A Dedicated Workspace
Creating a study space to complete your school work is the next step in staying motivated. This is even more true when enrolled in online college courses.
Do not be afraid to switch up your space. If you choose to dedicate a space in your home to your college studies, take the time to make the space your own. Choose decorations and lighting that will calm you but will not be distracting. Some ideas for personalizing your space include:
- string lighting,
- an interesting desk lamp
- soothing fountain
- plants to bright up the space
Your study area should include a comfortable chair and adequate lighting. Choose a quiet place where you have a strong internet connection to access college resources.
Limit distractions
In addition to a dedicated location to study, you should choose a quiet space where you can focus and eliminate distractions. In my experience, when reading textbooks, the most important thing I can do is create a space where I can immerse myself in the task at hand.
If you are taking classes on campus, this space may be the library. When at home, this may be your bedroom. No matter the location, pick up the space beforehand so as not to be distracted by any clutter. Grab a drink.
Most importantly, your intention should be learning; not just getting the assignment done.
Set small goals
To stay motivated in college, set small goals at the beginning of a new semester. After skimming the syllabus, it is only natural to focus on the immense number of homework assignments, due dates, and the big project due. This is a mistake! The daunting task of completing all this in addition to your busy schedule can feel nothing short of overwhelming. Instead, set small, specific goals.
An example of a small goal is, “I will complete the introduction to my essay tonight”. When you focus on this small goal, it becomes manageable in comparison to stressing about the entirety of completing the research paper.
Completing short-term goals will give you a sense of accomplishment, improves mental health, and will increase your motivation. Freemont College states, “Create a schedule for completing tasks and accomplishing goals that are flexible. This will prevent you from feeling overwhelmed when something unexpected comes up. Re-evaluate your plan on a regular basis to determine if you need to make adjustments based on your current responsibilities, whether it’s a job, family, or your social life.” (3)
An easy way to set small goals is to keep a daily bullet journal or to-do list. You can compile the list at the beginning of the week with all of your required responsibilities. Do not just include your school tasks, but also include your the mundane activities for your personal life such as exercising, grocery shopping, even washing your car. As you complete tasks, check them off the list. Checking off each item keeps you organized but also moves you closer to the finish line.
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Surround yourself with other motivated individuals
Free yourself from negative people. This is one of my favorite motivational strategies. Spend time with nice people who are smart, driven, have a positive attitude and most importantly like-minded. Relationships should help you, not hurt you. Surround yourself with people who reflect the person you want to be. Choose friends who you are proud to know.
“Surround yourself with positive people. Make a conscious effort to surround yourself with positive, nourishing, and uplifting people. People who believe in you, encourage you to go after your dreams, and applaud your victories.”
Jack canfield
If your friends are skipping class, you will most likely do the same thing. If your friends are blowing off studying to go out, you will most likely do the same thing. On the contrary, if your friends are part of your study group focusing on their goals, it is easy to do the same thing. There is no temptation to procrastinate.
As an added bonus, surrounding yourself with great influences is always good idea throughout your entire life, not just in college!
Take time to enjoy life
Life is short. Though your college career is important, it cannot be the only thing you focus on. You need downtime. By sacrificing short-term pleasure for long term gains, we become slaves to our goals. This can create stress. It is important to create a good balance between work and play.
“Hobbies take us out of our everyday experience and give us a chance to do something we love and are passionate about. Engaging in a hobby can be a mental escape, help us hone a skill, or just provide an opportunity to socialize with others. Hobbies are a great way to disconnect from work and break away from the monotony of daily schedules. Relieve stress by participating in a hobby” (7)
Avoiding downtime leads to less productivity. Even a nap can restore your focus and energy. “Human beings perform best and are most productive when they alternate between periods of intense focus and intermittent renewal.” (6)
Spending time with friends and family, get outside and enjoy some fresh air, involve yourself in club sports, even playing some video games can lead to greater student success.
Create relationships with professors and your academic advisor
One of the best things I can recommend college and graduate students do is get help. You cannot do everything on your own. Professors and advisors can be your best resource, however you must make it a priority to create a relationship with them. The convenience and increasing popularity of the online learning environment is overshadowed by the lack of relationships between students and professors.
Why is having a relationship with your professor and advisors so important? If you have a relationship, you will feel more comfortable to admit if you do not have an understanding of the topic. The professor will know if you are experiencing personal challenges that he or she may be able to assist you with. Even more important, your professor will “divulge professional information that reveals ways to enter the work field. In fact, they might even know of particular entry-level positions that are available at any given time. ” (8)
Take advantage of your professor’s office hours. Even if you do not have any specific questions about the work, making a connection with him/her can lead to networking opportunities based on your career goals.
Meet with your advisor on a regular basis. Set up a study plan where you have our classes mapped out in advance. Knowing that you only have a few more classes to reach the ultimate goal of graduation is a great feeling!
Recognize the signs of burnout
“Burnout is a state of chronic stress that leads to:
- physical and emotional exhaustion
- cynicism and detachment
- feelings of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment” (5)
Happiness is the meaning and purpose of life, the whole aim and the end of human existence”
aristotle
How can you avoid burnout? Some of the most common and potentially easiest things we can do to avoid burnout are often times the ones we most readily fail to do. Exercise, eating healthy, and getting adequate rest seem petty when faced with the stress of due dates and conflicting schedules (2).
Implementing the tips discussed in this article can help prevent burnout. Ask for help, establish a routine, take a short break to enjoy life, and surround yourself with motivated people with similar goals.
Celebrate your achievements
Science has proven that celebrating releases endorphins. This is an incredible feeling, so celebrate! You deserve it. “Celebrating your wins not only feels great physically, but it reinforces the behavior you want to show up when you face a new challenge or opportunity.” (1)
As discussed earlier, positivity and motivation produce more positivity and motivation. Celebrating an achievement will push you to want to continue to succeed. “As accomplishments are properly recounted, new ideas and opportunities are formed and shared. In a peak state, you feel you can accomplish anything. ” (1)
Focus on the reason you are working on your college degree
Getting a college degree can open doors for your future. Focus on your end goal to help you stay motivated. Having a college degree will give you access to job opportunities which in turn will provide an increased income. Maybe this degree will give you an advantage for promotion in a job you are already working? A college degree will provide you economic stability and networking opportunities. Most importantly, completing this goal will provide you with self satisfaction and improved self esteem.
“Research shows having a bachelor’s degree leads to greater long-term job satisfaction. The majority of bachelor’s degree holders—60 percent—say they are highly satisfied and their job is more than just a paycheck. In 2015, 52 percent of full-time workers with a degree were offered retirement benefits, compared to only 43 percent of individuals without a degree.” (4)
In summary
You have the tenancy to finish your college degree. Though staying motivated can be a challenge, it is not impossible. With these simple tips, you can focus on the end results. Make relationships with your professors and advisors. Take time to enjoy life. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals. Set goals and celebrate when you meet them. You can do this!
References:
(1) Carmody, B. (2015, August 12). 3 Reasons Celebrating Your Many Accomplishments Is Critical to Your Success. Retrieved December 29, 2020, from https://www.inc.com/bill-carmody/3-reasons-celebrating-your-many-accomplishments-is-critical-to-your-success.html
(2) Fraga, J. (2019, May 18). How to Identify and Prevent Burnout. Retrieved December 29, 2020, from https://www.healthline.com/health/tips-for-identifying-and-preventing-burnout
(3) How to Stay Motivated in College. (2018, March 07). Retrieved December 29, 2020, from https://fremont.edu/how-to-stay-motivated-in-college/
(4) Joubert, S. (2020, January 9). The Benefits Of Having A College Degree. Retrieved December 29, 2020, from https://www.northeastern.edu/bachelors-completion/news/is-a-bachelors-degree-worth-it/
(5) The Tell Tale Signs of Burnout … Do You Have Them? (2013, November 26). Retrieved December 29, 2020, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/high-octane-women/201311/the-tell-tale-signs-burnout-do-you-have-them
(6) The Upside of Downtime. (2014, August 07). Retrieved December 29, 2020, from https://hbr.org/2012/12/the-upside-of-downtime
(7) Why Hobbies Are Important. (2019, April 15). Retrieved December 29, 2020, from https://online.kettering.edu/news/2019/04/15/why-hobbies-are-important
(8) Zegarra, M. (2019, June 13). The Importance of Building a Professional Relationship with Your Professor. Retrieved December 29, 2020, from https://www.fnu.edu/importance-building-professional-relationship-professor/
About the Author:
Hi! I’m Chris. I’m a mother, wife, college professor by trade and micro-influencer by hobby. I am a bargain hunter, jack of all trades, and master of chaos.
Thank you for reading my random thoughts on travel, my stories of life as an under appreciated mother of a teenager, and my easy recipes that have won no awards but instead my family’s love and adoration (which is WAY better, right?).
