Daniel
How do people stay motivated going through a school experience?
For some reason I just cant seem to stay motivated while in school. I find myself in situations where I am daydreaming about exploring my own interests rather than being stuck learning what school says I have to. As a junior in high school this dilemma is a huge issue for me because I have a increasingly short amount of time left in my high school career to make a positive difference in my grades and even less time until I apply to colleges. and I have already read a post about motivation on this website, https://careervillage.org/questions/245/how-do-you-stay-motivated-in-your-job, and I felt like I have a slightly different question from the question in the link. Is there any way to expel the distracting thoughts and focus back on school, do I have to hold myself over in some way or do I just have to wait till college to have the majority of what I'm learning be motivating just to learn? #education #motivation
4 answers
Jenn Hatfield
Jenn’s Answer
Remember that you have to learn things in high school in order to get to college and explore whatever your interests are. So you can think about your high school classes as Step 1 in learning about your interests. Also, if you can make a direct connection, even better. For example, if you're dozing off in biology but want to study medicine (or anything else requiring biology), think, "I need to learn this because I'll need it in my future zoology or medicine or chemistry class and in my career." Meanwhile, keep learning about the subject you like in your free time, and start to make connections. For example, I've played sports my whole life, and a lot of the strategy of where players should be on the field is based on angles, and angles are part of math. So that makes math a little more interesting to me, even though it's not my favorite.
Another way to do it is to think about it from your teacher's point of view. It's disrespectful to him or her if you're not paying attention, so being polite might be an incentive to pay attention and work hard.
Lastly, for me, the most effective thing is that I want to be known as someone who works the hardest and someone who tries her best on everything she does. Every assignment I turn is a reflection on me, so I want to submit high quality work. I want people to see me as someone who doesn't settle for okay work and wants it to be great, even if I don't love the class I'm doing work for.
I hope some of those strategies help you! Good luck!
Thanks for the advice
Elizabeth Coccia
Elizabeth’s Answer
It can be hard - especially in the beginning when you are adjusting to the schedule, taking general education classes that might not hold your interest, or exploring what you want to do for the rest of your life. Once you determine a major and start taking courses that have an impact on your future profession, you might start gaining interest in your studies and becoming more motivated. Join clubs that are relevant to your interests and try to connect with professors that teach to your learning style and take as many of their courses as you can. Joining study groups or academic clubs can also help since you will start making friends with similar interests as you - academically and socially.
Also, remember you are paying for college courses and you dont want they money to go to waste. For some, that is motivation too!
Dawn Cordero
Dawn’s Answer
Give yourself credit for the progress you have made thus far so you approach new tasks with a positive attitude. Recognizing your past successes can serve as great motivator to keep pushing yourself to achieve your goals. Make a list of your recent achievements, whether it’s receiving an good grade on your last Math test or completing a term paper early. Being reminded of past accomplishments can inspire you when you are lacking motivation.
Take a break! Although many people have the misconception that it’s best to work nonstop until a task is complete, it can be difficult to stay motivated if you don’t take a break periodically. Take time for yourself in the middle of a big project or tedious task to do something you enjoy. You will feel rejuvenated and approach tasks with a fresh mind afterward.
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
Keeping your drive alive during your school journey can be tough, and it's normal to sometimes feel off-track or uninterested. But there are several methods you can use to refocus and keep your motivation high throughout your high school years. Remember, motivation is a personal journey, so what works for one person might not work for you. With this in mind, here are some tips that might help you keep your motivation up in school:
Set Specific Goals: A great way to stay driven is by setting specific and reachable goals. Begin by figuring out what you want to achieve in school, like boosting your grades, getting into a certain college, or following a specific career path. Break these big goals into smaller, more manageable ones. Having a clear idea of what you want to achieve can help you stay focused and driven.
Discover Your Passion: School subjects might not always match your personal interests or dreams, but try to find parts within each subject that click with you. Search for links between what you're learning and your own passions or future goals. For instance, if you love writing, look for ways to include creative writing in your assignments or projects. Finding purpose in your studies makes you more likely to stay interested and driven.
Find Support: Having a supportive network around you can significantly boost your motivation. Share your struggles and goals with your teachers, classmates, friends, or family. They can offer encouragement, advice, and keep you accountable when needed. Also, think about joining study groups or clubs that match your interests. Working with others who have similar goals can help keep you motivated and create a sense of belonging.
Build a Productive Space: Your surroundings can greatly affect your motivation. Make sure you have a dedicated study area that's free from distractions. Remove anything that might tempt you to stray from your studies. Also, create a routine that includes regular study times, breaks, and enough sleep. A well-planned and suitable environment can help you stay focused and driven.
Celebrate Small Victories: Recognize and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Recognizing your progress and hard work can boost your drive and give you a sense of achievement. Think about rewarding yourself after finishing a tough assignment or reaching a certain goal. This positive reinforcement can help keep your drive alive throughout your school journey.
Take Care of Yourself: Looking after your physical and mental health is key for maintaining motivation. Prioritize activities that help you relax, reduce stress, and improve your overall well-being. Regular exercise, enough sleep, healthy food, and hobbies or activities that make you happy are all important. When you take care of yourself, you're more likely to have the energy and drive to do well in school.
See Failure as a Chance to Learn: Remember, setbacks and failures are a normal part of learning. Instead of getting down about them, see them as chances to grow and get better. Learn from your mistakes, get feedback from teachers or mentors, and use these experiences to improve your approach. By having a growth mindset, you can keep your motivation high, even when things get tough.
Picture Success: Visualization can be a powerful tool for keeping your motivation up. Spend some time each day picturing yourself achieving your goals and doing well in school. Imagine the good things that will come from your hard work and commitment. This can help boost your motivation and keep you focused on the long-term rewards of your efforts.
Remember, staying motivated in school is an ongoing process that needs effort and self-reflection. It's okay to have moments where you feel distracted or unmotivated, but by using these strategies and finding what works best for you, you can overcome these hurdles and stay on track to reach your academic goals.
Top 3 Authoritative Reference Publications or Domain Names Used:
Verywell Mind - www.verywellmind.com
Psychology Today - www.psychologytoday.com
Harvard Business Review - hbr.org
Wishing you all the best,
James.