Student Resources

Motivation

Staying motivated is strongly correlated with sticking to a schedule and achieving your goals.

Set goals that are realistic, positive, challenging, and clear. Make sure to write them down and set a deadline for reaching them. Make goals measurable whenever possible.
Schedule your learning. It is motivating to be organized and have certain times of the day or week reserved for your studying. Plan weekly activities and stick to a written schedule. Make the most of a scheduled study time then move on to other activities afterwards, such as talking to your friends or seeing a movie.
Explore topics that interest you. Choose classes that pique your curiosity; the same applies for paper subjects and discussion topics.
Mix different activities. Change between various learning activities, such as reading an article or contributing to the discussion, every hour.
Participate. Exchange ideas with peers and learn about their specific interests and perspectives on topics. Contribute in the discussion threads often, maybe even exceeding the instructor’s minimal requirements.
Reward yourself. Give yourself credit for finished tasks and assignments. It will make you feel good about your progress and motivate you for the next step of your learning.
Take breaks. Take a 10–15 minute break for every 45 minutes of study time. Go for a short walk, get something to drink, or use relaxation techniques.
Avoid procrastination. UNCG’s Learning Assistance Center offers tips on avoiding procrastination at http://success.uncg.edu/lac/skills/pdfs/timemanagement3.pdf .