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What's YOUR best way to stay motivated and consistent in college, or just in general
I'm not gonna lie- being in college has been EXHAUSTING to say the least. I feel like I've done enough to to earn myself a doctorate, and it's only my second year!
Espically with being a film student, the late nights shooting with early morning classes can be alot for me- not to mention my job, applying for scholarships, working out, and maintaining a social life, to name a few.
To any creatives, or anyone's who got their life down to a science- how did you do it? And what could I do to find at least a little bit of stablity in this seemingly always unstable environment?
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Patrick’s Answer
Hi, Nicholas! Oof, I can relate. I had to put myself through college, studying film & tv. I always had at least 2 jobs, plus a full course load. Here's what I did, hope it helps:
1. Small but steady steps. It's a lot. Just do today. That final exam three weeks away? Cool. Study today but move on the other things needed for today. You'll get to it. That in your studies, your relationships, any long-term goals. Bit by bit but always moving.
2. Time-Management. I know, it goes without saying. But it's all impossible if you don't practice it religiously. Be on time. For everything. Even the parties. Leave on time. For everything. Work. Dates. Homework. It'll all be there waiting for you again tomorrow. To that end...
3. Progress, not perfection. I took some Cs when I could have had Bs. Took Bs when I could have had an A. Again, I was working 2 jobs, always. The jobs themselves weren't perfect. My buddy caddied at a golf course, bartended at a club because he was a law major. My job was washing dishes in the fraternity house because it got half off my room and board. For three years. Yeah, I took some grief, and it was lame, but I saved so much money that one day... instead of dishes in my hands, I had that diploma.
Hope that helps, Nicholas!
Best,
Patrick
1. Small but steady steps. It's a lot. Just do today. That final exam three weeks away? Cool. Study today but move on the other things needed for today. You'll get to it. That in your studies, your relationships, any long-term goals. Bit by bit but always moving.
2. Time-Management. I know, it goes without saying. But it's all impossible if you don't practice it religiously. Be on time. For everything. Even the parties. Leave on time. For everything. Work. Dates. Homework. It'll all be there waiting for you again tomorrow. To that end...
3. Progress, not perfection. I took some Cs when I could have had Bs. Took Bs when I could have had an A. Again, I was working 2 jobs, always. The jobs themselves weren't perfect. My buddy caddied at a golf course, bartended at a club because he was a law major. My job was washing dishes in the fraternity house because it got half off my room and board. For three years. Yeah, I took some grief, and it was lame, but I saved so much money that one day... instead of dishes in my hands, I had that diploma.
Hope that helps, Nicholas!
Best,
Patrick
Updated
Jaclyn’s Answer
Hello!
I will share my experience to see if this can shed some clarity. I was in college for my undergraduate education for a total of 8 years. I went into it as a theater major and had some of the similar challenges you are going through. I too struggled with the classes all morning/afternoon, then going into rehearsals in the evenings. On top of this, I was also working. It was incredibly difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The amount of red tape that students have to go through to complete degree requirements is truly outstanding. Education is not a marathon, it's a sprint. As long as you are working towards your goal, you are doing so much for your future. I have so many times where I doubted if education was the route for me because of how much work I was putting towards it. Ultimately, I wouldn't change my experience for anything because those years helped shape who I am today. The years and years of classes, rehearsals, and late nights to complete homework were all for the greater good. You will make it farther in this world at the end of it. It may be hard to see that now, but just know you're doing the best thing for you.
I will share my experience to see if this can shed some clarity. I was in college for my undergraduate education for a total of 8 years. I went into it as a theater major and had some of the similar challenges you are going through. I too struggled with the classes all morning/afternoon, then going into rehearsals in the evenings. On top of this, I was also working. It was incredibly difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The amount of red tape that students have to go through to complete degree requirements is truly outstanding. Education is not a marathon, it's a sprint. As long as you are working towards your goal, you are doing so much for your future. I have so many times where I doubted if education was the route for me because of how much work I was putting towards it. Ultimately, I wouldn't change my experience for anything because those years helped shape who I am today. The years and years of classes, rehearsals, and late nights to complete homework were all for the greater good. You will make it farther in this world at the end of it. It may be hard to see that now, but just know you're doing the best thing for you.
Alexis Camins
IT Manager at Los Angeles County - Professional Actor
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Alexis’s Answer
There is one thing I try to go back to when I’m in a particularly busy stretch.
Self-care. Sounds cliché, but for me, that meant being okay with being late to class some days or just skipping a class altogether if I needed the extra sleep. It meant being ok with missing certain social things so I’m not staying up AND waking up early. It might mean turning in a draft that isn’t 100% and being ok with that. I’m not suggesting being sub-par, but I am suggesting taking care of yourself is more important than doing everything. And this sometimes means saying the dreaded word once in a while: No.
You strike me a someone who is eager to say yes, and nine times out of ten, that’s a fantastic approach. But you have to learn the art of the respectful no, especially when it means taking care of yourself. Because here’s the thing: you may be able to sustain a high level of a activity for a short time, but after a while, it will start to affect how you function and do those activities. You might be forgetful at a shoot, or injure yourself working out or just tuned out at work or even with friends. I seem to always catch a cold when I lack sleep or I’ve got too much in my plate.
Being very busy isn’t sustainable over a long period of time. Eventually you’ll burn out and be forced to take a long break, where short breaks would’ve kept you afloat along the way.
Taking care of yourself and saying no can help. You won’t feel like you’ll be doing it all, because you won’t be. And that’s ok.
Self-care. Sounds cliché, but for me, that meant being okay with being late to class some days or just skipping a class altogether if I needed the extra sleep. It meant being ok with missing certain social things so I’m not staying up AND waking up early. It might mean turning in a draft that isn’t 100% and being ok with that. I’m not suggesting being sub-par, but I am suggesting taking care of yourself is more important than doing everything. And this sometimes means saying the dreaded word once in a while: No.
You strike me a someone who is eager to say yes, and nine times out of ten, that’s a fantastic approach. But you have to learn the art of the respectful no, especially when it means taking care of yourself. Because here’s the thing: you may be able to sustain a high level of a activity for a short time, but after a while, it will start to affect how you function and do those activities. You might be forgetful at a shoot, or injure yourself working out or just tuned out at work or even with friends. I seem to always catch a cold when I lack sleep or I’ve got too much in my plate.
Being very busy isn’t sustainable over a long period of time. Eventually you’ll burn out and be forced to take a long break, where short breaks would’ve kept you afloat along the way.
Taking care of yourself and saying no can help. You won’t feel like you’ll be doing it all, because you won’t be. And that’s ok.
Updated
Sneha’s Answer
Hey Nicholas! I understand what you're going through. College can feel like a marathon with no finish line in sight, especially when you're juggling a creative major, a job, classes, and everything else life throws your way. What’s helped me most is breaking big goals into small, manageable tasks and celebrating the little wins along the way. I’ve also learned that it’s okay not to have everything figured out. Consistency doesn’t mean perfection, it means showing up even when it’s hard. Try to protect your energy by scheduling rest, saying no when you need to, and reminding yourself why you started. You don’t have to have your life down to a science, you just need a rhythm that works for you, one day at a time. Once you find a routine, things will fall into place. Good luck!
Updated
Yingna’s Answer
It does sound overwhelming, Nicholas. I can relate to it.
To "stay motivated and consistent", I think these might be helpful
1. Find out your ultimate goal.
Do I want to be a writer, a director, an editor? What am I truly passionate about?
Find your true passion will help you get focused
2. Start creating your own path.
Once the goal is clear, you will be able to create your own path. It can be very different from others. It can be very tough with barriers, with winds and even storms. But once you have the "goal" as your beacon, every small step will lead you closer to your destination
Find something you can "hold on" to. That's the thing I feel important to life.
Hope this is helpful. Good luck!
To "stay motivated and consistent", I think these might be helpful
1. Find out your ultimate goal.
Do I want to be a writer, a director, an editor? What am I truly passionate about?
Find your true passion will help you get focused
2. Start creating your own path.
Once the goal is clear, you will be able to create your own path. It can be very different from others. It can be very tough with barriers, with winds and even storms. But once you have the "goal" as your beacon, every small step will lead you closer to your destination
Find something you can "hold on" to. That's the thing I feel important to life.
Hope this is helpful. Good luck!
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Nicholas !
How cool that you are already working on productions while in college ! Your concern seems simple - keep an appointment book. Yes, easy for me to say, but I lived a similar path where I was on campus 16 hours a day sometimes or running home after classes and from my on campus job, have a couple of hours and then rushing off to rehearsals into the night. Whew. Our types of majors are indeed exhausting.
I recently looked at my college transcript and something I noticed was that I skillfully chose what courses to combine and how many to take each semester, leaving lots of room for completing practicums, performing in plays or local TV and film in the community. So, the thing I noticed on my transcripts (Major was Theatre) was that I had a lot of semesters where I took only four courses or five courses. I also put one under my belt by taking one general ed requirement in a summer session. I had a gap year due to pre-mature plans to move to L.A. and I took an evening class at college in my Minor. You sort of have to schedule your courses to be doable. Definitely not too many active outside of classroom courses all at once. In my very last semester, I took 9 courses ! I was over-eager to move to Los Angeles, but, ironically, I received all A's that semester.
I think the course scheduling is going to be the main factor. Then there is the job. Apply for a Work Study job the next time you apply for Federal Student Financial Aid. You could get this type of job in either the film or theatre department and, as long as you don't work in the scene shop, the job may be less taxing physically. Talk with your financial aid department about Work Study.
You are definitely overextending yourself if you do not have time to attend functions with family and friends, participate in hobbies or activities. I did sacrifice a bit during college, but it's because I wanted to and loved that my life was centered around acting. Think about saving time by setting up a workout space in your home instead of driving to a gym. You can do this and every semester is going to be different. Remember what works for you and what doesn't. If you can get someone to help you research and read scholarships and grants with you, it may cut down on time spent doing that. You can do this because you are in charge. Just sounds like minor changes may be in order.
I hope this helps and wish you all the best !
How cool that you are already working on productions while in college ! Your concern seems simple - keep an appointment book. Yes, easy for me to say, but I lived a similar path where I was on campus 16 hours a day sometimes or running home after classes and from my on campus job, have a couple of hours and then rushing off to rehearsals into the night. Whew. Our types of majors are indeed exhausting.
I recently looked at my college transcript and something I noticed was that I skillfully chose what courses to combine and how many to take each semester, leaving lots of room for completing practicums, performing in plays or local TV and film in the community. So, the thing I noticed on my transcripts (Major was Theatre) was that I had a lot of semesters where I took only four courses or five courses. I also put one under my belt by taking one general ed requirement in a summer session. I had a gap year due to pre-mature plans to move to L.A. and I took an evening class at college in my Minor. You sort of have to schedule your courses to be doable. Definitely not too many active outside of classroom courses all at once. In my very last semester, I took 9 courses ! I was over-eager to move to Los Angeles, but, ironically, I received all A's that semester.
I think the course scheduling is going to be the main factor. Then there is the job. Apply for a Work Study job the next time you apply for Federal Student Financial Aid. You could get this type of job in either the film or theatre department and, as long as you don't work in the scene shop, the job may be less taxing physically. Talk with your financial aid department about Work Study.
You are definitely overextending yourself if you do not have time to attend functions with family and friends, participate in hobbies or activities. I did sacrifice a bit during college, but it's because I wanted to and loved that my life was centered around acting. Think about saving time by setting up a workout space in your home instead of driving to a gym. You can do this and every semester is going to be different. Remember what works for you and what doesn't. If you can get someone to help you research and read scholarships and grants with you, it may cut down on time spent doing that. You can do this because you are in charge. Just sounds like minor changes may be in order.
I hope this helps and wish you all the best !