Zane's Motivation Entry

Motivation is something that I have struggled with throughout my academic career. One can imagine that this problem has only intensified since arriving at college. As a student who has yet to declare a major, I find that it is been difficult to stay focused and on track because at times the work that I’m doing doesn’t seem to be geared towards any particular goals. This isn’t necessarily to say, however, that motivation in an issue that only. College life is a shared experience: being away from home-essentially forced out of your comfort zone. You’re suspended into an entirely new, diverse setting filled with various cultures and ideas. Not to mention all of the freedom and free time; it can be difficult to stay on track. Lack of motivation can also stem from academic struggles. Failing a test or frequent absences, for instance, can definitely discourage one from moving forward.

Whatever the case, rest assured: it is manageable. In this blog, I will be discussing a strategy that asks you to consider your academic fears. If you are familiar with your concerns, they will be easier to deal with. First, select a class that you are currently struggling with. Think about the worst possible outcome(s)/scenario(s) that you associate with the course. Next, consider the best possible outcome of the course. Finally consider the steps that you would need to take in order to achieve that outcome. I tried the strategy with ARC 101:

Academic Fears	Worst Outcome	Best Outcome	Action Needed
1. Being unable to complete/earn a decent grade on the final paper	Failing the course; lowering my GPA	Earning a good grade on the final paper and the course	1. Discuss material with professor as often as needed (borrowed from the book but definitely applicable)

I also tried the strategy for my anthropology course:

Academic Fears	Worst Outcome	Best Outcome	Action Needed
1. Not handing in the paper on time 2. Failing next exam 3. Frequent Absences	1. Lowering grade significantly; failing course 2. Lower my test average 3. Falling behind in class. Being unable to complete assignments efficiently	Getting a better grasp of the material. Finishing strong and earning a good grade	1. Meet with TA as often as need until due date. 2. Read before lecture. Create a study group. 3. DISCIPLINE. See TA/professor.

Again, this strategy is useful because it forces you to actually breakdown and consider your academic fears as opposed to just fighting through them. As mentioned before, I have struggled with motivation because of my status as undecided student. This strategy was particularly helpful, because it allowed me to set up reachable goals for myself, and design a plan to keep me on course for that goal in the upcoming weeks.