One of the most
powerful learning tools we have is motivation - when we really want
something and are willing to go to any length to get it, it will
probably happen. Students choose to attend college, have to be
accepted (it's actually a "privilege"), and pay for the experience. In
terms of motivation, for starters, people should try to remember why
they enrolled in the first place.
This might be just enough to get us to "buckle down"
and read a text, notes, attend study sessions, or seek help. There are
other ways to stay or build motivation. While many see worry and fear
as negative feelings, some can use these types of anxieties to
motivate themselves to achieve the things that need to be done for
success.
There are two types of motivation, intrinsic and
extrinsic. Intrinsic motivation comes from within and is based on
needs, wants, attitudes, values, or beliefs. External motivation comes
from things we get after we achieve success, such as better paying
jobs or a more economically stable lifestyle for ourselves or our
families.
Intrinsic motivations are powerful, because the
internal factors that guide our lives tend to be fairly stable over
time. Extrinsic motivations depend on looking at the world around us,
determining if we are satisfied with the situation, and then working
towards desired change. In many ways, external motivation is more
dependent on factors outside of our control - will things really
unfold the way we want when we achieve change?
Many believe that intrinsic motivations, while more
abstract, are the more effective in the long-run than extrinsic
motivation. In most cases, we are powerless over other people, places,
and things. We can, however, learn to control our attitudes, values,
and beliefs. Most of the learning strategies that will be covered in
Today's Collegian will be based on intrinsic motivations.
Stress as a Motivator. Perhaps the best place
to start is to realize that fear, worries, and other anxieties can be
used to motivate us. Sure, no one wants these types of stresses in
their lives; but we get them anyhow. Often, we can eliminate stress in
our lives by turning that energy into something positive - in this
case, motivation. This is a powerful tool, because it actually tackles
2 problems: stress and motivation.
Spirituality. Perhaps related to stress as a
motivator, believing in positive forces in our lives, a "power greater
than ourselves," can help us accept stress and use it for positive
change. Spirituality is distinctly different than religion -
developing faith in a "higher power" does not have to be done in a
church or specific religious context, though many choose to do so.
Finding inner peace and using it motivate us towards
positive change can be done through meditation, prayer, and faith that
if we do the next best thing, everything else will take care of
itself. Religious people can find spirituality within their religious
faith.
Agnostics and atheists can also find spirituality
without religion. All that is required is a belief that someone or
something can do things for us that we cannot do for ourselves.
Self-talk. While we all have attitudes, values,
and beliefs; we rarely think about them in detail. When we say things
to ourselves, be bring ideas from our unconscious mind into our
conscious mind. What we say to ourselves reflects how we think about
ourselves. Self-talk can be positive or negative, or neutral. Learning
to express ourselves in a positive manner builds motivation.
Desire to Learn. As discussed earlier, wanting
to learn is a powerful motivator towards success. College students
should try to remember why they have chosen to attend school. We can
build on our desire to learn by creating interest in new ideas,
looking for novelty and variety, personalizing what we are learning
and applying it to our lives or future, and working with others. If we
are in college for the "right" reasons, there is a desire to learn -
build on that!
Support Systems. Building a network of support
from others can be a motivator. When groups of people share their
experience, strength, and hope, everyone benefits. There are many
different types of clubs, organizations, and outside activities that
can provide this type of support, especially on a typical college
campus. Healthy relationships with friends and family also help.
Goal Setting. Yes, this is an entire topic in
itself. It is also a powerful motivation tool. If we can see where we
are, determine where we want to go, and set up a realistic plan to get
there, we are also building motivation. Today's Collegian will discuss
goal setting in detail in another issue.
Time Management. Another topic in itself that
functions as a powerful motivation tool -- we all have 24 hours each
day, getting the most out of that time can be the difference between
getting things and always "catching-up." Today's Collegian will
discuss time management in detail in another issue.
The following checklist may prove helpful in getting
at the sources of poor motivation. If you want to improve your
motivation you may want to choose a self-directed improvement program
or use the information as a focus for counseling.
1. Really preferring something other than attending
this university:
____Would prefer not to go to college.
____Would rather attend another college.
____Would prefer a different kind of training.
2. College as means to ends other than learning:
____To avoid getting a job
____To find a mate
____To have a good time
____To get away from home
____To prove self-worth
3. Distracting personal problems. Issues with self
that decrease motivation:
____Conflict with same sex
____Conflict with opposite sex
____Conflict with parents
____Lack of confidence
____Undefined resistance to college
____Angry at the world
____Overuse of drugs or alcohol
____Fear of evaluation
____Difficulty in making decisions
____Lack of financial resources
____Marriage problems
____Phobias and other anxieties
____Insecurity
____Loneliness
4. Lack of interest. Deciding college is important
can be the key.
____Undefined vocational goals
____Undefined educational goals
____Course material is not what I think is important
____Interest in school is not the "in" thing among my
friends.
5. Continuing self-defeating behavior patterns:
____Excessive dependence on parents or others
____Fear as a motivator
____Parents as motivators
____Grades or academic achievement as motivator
____High school habits
More On Stress
Academic Success: Motivation
College Motivation
Links for
a Better Education: Motivation
Motivation
Motivation Advice for College Students
Motivation & Attitude
Motivation & College
Motivation Tips
Questions to Guide Your Thinking About Motivation
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