Long and Short-term Motivators

The majority of my blogs focus on specific strategies you can do in order to be a successful student, ranging from tools to manage your time, exactly what to do when studying, and how to maximize your test-taking strategies.  But there is one important part that needs to be addressed – how to motivate yourself to actually do the things you know you should do!   I asked my students what motivates them and here are some of their answers:

·       They are paying to be in college

·       To get good grades

·       Thoughts of success

·       Want a specific person to be proud of them – parents, grandparents, younger siblings

·       Be able to make money after graduation – to have no more money problems

·       To get a good job

One problem, however, is that these are very abstract and several years in the future, while the decisions that are going to make a difference in their academic success are immediate.  Here are some short-term motivations the students described:

·       Avoid stress of last-minute work or missed deadlines

·       Avoid procrastination

·       Mid-term grades

·       To be able to have free time later

·       Keeping in mind the student I want to be

·       To be able to do what I want later

Your success is built on small, daily decisions that, put all together, will make the difference in your grades and your future.   Take some time to think about what motivates you.  Write them down and post them where you will see it every day.

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First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com,  wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Click on the upper right link.