Motivation
Benefits of increased motivation include increased persistence, better engagement with your courses, improved critical thinking skills, and a greater ability to accomplish goals in all areas of life.
When you get discouraged or demotivated, ask yourself the following questions:
- Why am I doing this task?
- Is it because I want to (intrinsic motivation) or because I’m seeking a reward (like a good grade) or seeking to avoid a punishment (like failing a course) (extrinsic motivation)?
- How much do I value this task? If it has a low value, how could I increase its worth?
- What value does this task have in relation to my long-term goals?
- What do I need to complete this task?
- If you need help with writing, math, time management, etc., remember that there are services on campus that can help.
- Avoid blaming either yourself or others; instead, work to develop habits that will help you stay energized, focused, and able to adjust to challenging situations.
- Am I in control of my work?
- Use SMART goals, calendars, to-do lists, etc. to organize your work.
- Break your work into smaller tasks and start with the easiest.
- Why am I struggling with motivation?
- Am I procrastinating? Understand what causes procrastination in order to overcome it.
- Do I need to re-evaluate my goals? Always make sure your goals are measurable.
- Do I need support? Connect with campus services and/or peers who can hold you accountable.
- Am I expecting perfection?
- Failure is normal! Remember that it’s not about how “smart” you are but about knowledge, effort, and strategies, all of which you can control and change.
- Have I given myself any rewards?
- Remember that rewards work best for small, clearly-defined tasks.
- Create a balance between work accomplished and how you reward yourself for it.
Remember, motivation isn’t something some people are born with; it’s a skill everyone can learn!
Improve your writing and study skills! Book an appointment with a writing advisor and/or academic coach on OSCARplus. Questions? Email skills@mcmaster.ca.
References
Study skills—motivation. (n. d.). uOttawa. Retrieved May 22, 2020, from https://sass.uottawa.ca/en/mentoring/tools/motivation
LSA Newnan Academic Advising Center. (n. d.). Strategies for success: Staying motivated. University of Michigan. Retrieved May 22, 2020, from https://mcgill.ca/counselling/files/counselling/staying_motivated.pdf