Chapter 1 Motivation

What are the behaviors and attitudes of an “A” student? 1.List three important behaviors that an “A” student would have. 2.Get in a group of three students and compare lists 3.Report

What Do I Want from College?

Exercise: What Do I Want from College? Share your most important reason with the class.

Value of a College Education

Lifetime Income n HIGH SCHOOL $938,850 n SOME COLLEGE $990,270 n ASSOCIATE $1,192,380 n BACHELORS $1,715,430 n MASTERS $2,105,580 n PROFESSIONAL $3,629,340 (Updated 2011)

Yearly Income n HIGH SCHOOL $31,286 n SOME COLLEGE $33,009 n ASSOCIATE $39,746 n BACHELORS $57,181 n MASTERS $70,186 n PROFESSIONAL $120,978

What is the Value of a College Degree? $1,715,430 College Graduate $ 938,580 High School Graduate $776,850 Value of College Degree

College graduates make almost twice as much as high school graduates over a lifetime.

How Much is Each College Class Worth?

$19,421 per 3 unit class ($776,850 divided by 40 classes for a BA or BS)

What is one hour of a college class worth?

$405 per hour in class ($1 divided by 48 hours in class)

Would you attend class today and be prepared if I paid you $405? if I were to pay you $394?

Of course, these payments are over a working lifetime of 30 years.

How do you motivate yourself? n What if you don’t feel like coming to class or doing your homework. How do you motivate yourself to do it anyway? n Think n Discuss with the person next to you n Share ideas

Ways to Improve Your Concentration

There are many ways to be motivated. Let’s see if any are useful to you. n Think positively about the future n Look for something interesting n Improve your concentration n Manage your external environment n Intrinsic or extrinsic motivation n Locus of control n Achievement motivation n Use a reward

Optimism Vs. Pessimism How does it apply to college?

Find something interesting in your studies. Exercise: Textbook Skimming

Concentration and motivation are connected n If you can focus on what you are doing, you are motivated to continue.

Manage Your External Environment

Minimize Distractions n If you study in the kitchen, you will be distracted by food n If you study in front of the TV, you will be tempted to watch it n If you study in bed, it will be difficult to say awake

Be Here Now n Choose where you will place your attention n When your mind wanders, gently bring it back. Forcing attention does not work.

For example, do not think about pink elephants!

How many of you thought about pink elephants?

When your mind wanders, gently bring it back to the here and now.

Can you be here now for two minutes?

Focus on this number for 2 minutes: 1

Where did your mind go during these two minutes?

The Spider Technique n Learn to ignore distractions and keep your attention focused

Set up a Worry Time n Set a time each day n When worries distract you, remind yourself of the time set aside to worry n Be here now n Keep your worry appointment n Find solutions

Increase Your Activity n Take a break n Stretch n Move n Read and listen actively

The Checkmark Technique n When you find yourself distracted, place a checkmark on a piece of paper and refocus your attention n With practice you will have fewer checkmarks and distractions

Change Topics n You may need to study for a short period of time and change subjects

Intrinsic Vs. Extrinsic Motivation

Intrinsic Motivation n Comes from within yourself

Extrinsic Motivation n Comes from outside yourself

Which is the more powerful motivator? n Intrinsic or extrinsic motivation?

Intrinsic motivation is the most powerful

Locus of Control n Where you place responsibility for control over your life n Internal n External

Internal Locus of Control n Believe they are in control of their lives n Self-motivated n Learn from mistakes n Think positively

External Locus of Control n Others control their lives n Life is a result of luck or fate n Rely on external motivation n Look for someone to blame n Think negatively n Victims of circumstance

What is more likely to lead to achievement in college? n Internal Locus of Control? n External Locus of Control?

Internal locus of control is most likely to lead to success in college.

Exercise: Locus of Control CSI Activity

More Types of Motivation

Affiliation Motivation

How can you use affiliation motivation to be successful in college?

Affiliation Motivation n Study Groups n Friends n Athletics n Clubs n Activities

Achievement Motivation

Are you motivated by achievement? n Competition for grades n Winning the game n Earning money n Recognition for achievement

Learning and Motivation n Psychologists believe that much of our behavior is learned

Find a reward to increase desirable behavior.

Good rewards: 1. Do not involve alcohol or drugs

Good rewards: 1. Do not involve alcohol or drugs 2. Do not have too many calories

Good rewards: 1. Do not involve alcohol or drugs 2. Do not have too many calories 3. Do not cost too much money

What are some good rewards for studying?

Success is a HABIT

Success is a Habit n We establish habits by taking small actions each day n You can establish habits for success

Exercise: I am successful when I:

Exercise: I am successful when I: Behaviors which interfere with my success:

Exercise: I am successful when I: Behaviors which interfere with my success: I would like to:

A PRACTICAL EXAMPLE

Step 1. State the problem. I have a chocolate chip cookie eating habit

Step 2 Choose one small behavior at a time Make it small

Changing one small behavior is like making a ripple on a lake.

Change one small behavior and you can change your life.

I will eat a healthy snack. NOT I will lose weight or I will never eat cookies

Step 3: State in a positive way the behavior you wish to accomplish

EXAMPLE I will eat a healthy snack. instead of eating cookies.

Write an intention statement I intend to eat a healthy snack.

Step 4 Count the behavior How many cookies do I Eat each day?

Step 5: Picture in your mind the actions you will take. Visualize your success.

Step 6 Practice 10 days Keep a Log

Step 7 Find a reward for your behavior

Step 6: What reward will you use?

10 Habits of Successful College Students n Attend class. n Read the textbook. n Have an educational plan. n Use college services. n Get to know the faculty.

10 Habits of Successful College Students n Limit outside employment to 20 hours a week for a full time student. n Take one step at a time. n Have a goal for the future. n Visualize your success. n Ask questions.

Assignment How to Change a Habit Keep a log for 10 days

Keys to Success: Persistence

Persistence Will Get You Almost Anything Eventually n When is this true? n When is it not true?

90% of success is showing up!

Make a commitment to reach your dreams

Getting a college degree can be like climbing Mt. Everest

How to Climb Mt. Everest n A small step at a time

Succeed college one step at a time n Get started. n Attend the first class. n Read the first chapter. n Start a new study habit.