Advising Tip | Top 10 Ways to Get Motivated

Eileen Schulz

By Eileen Schulz
College of Arts & Sciences Academic Advisor

Now that we are in full swing this semester, I hope you have found your rhythm and are moving forward successfully. Together, we are all adapting to life with masks and social distancing, and some of us are learning online.

I understand this semester has created new and unforeseen challenges for many, and motivation can suffer, especially when feeling distanced from the education that drives our passion. I want to share my top 10 favorite tips on how to restore lost motivation or maybe boost motivation to drive your success while learning on campus or online.

1. Remember your reasons for going to college. Know that you are still on a solid path toward earning your degree, even if a pandemic has made it necessary that you complete your classes from home online.
2. Develop a mantra. Increase your positive self-talk/messages and stop any negative self-talk.
3. Recognize your own patterns. Identify your stall tactics, internal dialogues (“I’ll start my paper after….”) and procrastination techniques so you can call yourself on them.
4. Just get started. Getting started is sometimes the hardest part. So commit to working for just 10 minutes. Once you start, chances are you will keep going.
5. Don’t take it all on at once. Set a timer for yourself. It’s easier to commit to something if you know you’re only going to have to do it for a limited amount of time. Work away at a project by doing smaller bits.
6. Do it first. Do it right away. If you want to go study at the park, go first thing in the morning or right after class — it’s much easier than deciding after you started watching a movie.
7. Start Easy or Start Hard? Starting with the small easy tasks will help you gain momentum and feel accomplished which can lead to further productivity. On the other hand, getting the biggest, hardest task out of the way early will make the rest of your tasks seem easier. Do which works best for you.
8. Establish a rewards system by selecting a reward that will get you motivated to get something done. (“if I get the first chapter review completed I can watch … for an hour.”)
9. Generate accountability by finding a motivated partner to study with. You are less likely to let down a study partner and this also creates a support system that will feed your motivation. Chose an energetic study partner who will motivate you.
10. Measure your progress. Find a way to track what you’ve accomplished so you can see your progress and results. Checking things off your list can help motivate you to get more done.  Celebrating your accomplishments!

The College of Arts & Sciences Office of Undergraduate Student Affairs is available to help navigate your academic needs with drop in advising via Microsoft TEAMS: Wednesday 9 to 11 a. m. and Thursdays 1 to 4 p.m.

• Check-in to talk to an adviser.

If, you feel your loss of motivation is more than simple procrastination but has you really stuck — reach out to Campus Psychological Services and talk with someone that can help you identify resources to help.