GETTING AND STAYING MOTIVATED LUNCH AND LEARN STUDENT 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!