Motivation for the Online Student
Even with the comforts of attending an online college, motivation is still the key to your educational success. When you feel yourself slipping or slacking off there are a number of ways to get back on the road to your goal.
Reward Yourself
A college education is of course it’s own reward, but sometimes it’s good to give yourself something material to treat yourself after a difficult quiz, test or class. Determine what you would really work harder for and write it down and leave it on the fridge or your computer. You could put something like “Jamaican Vacation” but you may be shooting too high. Keep your reward realistic like the latest album from your favorite artist, or a movie night with the friends you haven’t been able to spend time with due to all your studying.
Motivating Posters
We’ve all seen them in the hallways of businesses and most of them seem ridiculous. An eagle lifting a carp out of a river or a mountain range with the words, “If you can dream it, you can achieve it” written below. Silly or not, they get results. Find yourself a poster that really speaks to you or you could even make your own with some cheap poster board and a marker. Helpful Hint: Don’t put the poster near the computer, put it where you find yourself wasting time instead, usually the living room or bedroom. Try to keep the message positive along the lines of Nike’s world famous “Just Do It”.
Change of Environment
Real world schools take students on field trips, why can’t you do that for yourself as an online student? If you have a laptop, take it to a coffee shop or a bookstore with Wi-Fi (wireless) Internet access. Go a little early and get yourself a coffee or take a few minutes after to unwind with a magazine. If you don’t have a laptop, spend a few bucks at a Kinko’s or Internet café. A little change of scenery can do wonders for your work ethic and your attitude.
“Your College is Your Gym”
Whenever you go to a gym or do any sports activity, it is best to do some stretching before you start. The same should go for your brain. Don’t just come home after work and jump right into an online class. Do something to get your synapses firing. There are a number of things you could do:
Review the materials from your class.
Read something intriguing like a two-minute murder mystery.
A quick game of Sudoku.
A game of Online Chess (My personal favorite www.chess.com)
Get yourself a small puzzle or trivia book, or find a good puzzle game online like Bejeweled.
“Music soothes….the Brain?”
Imagine the movie Rocky without the music. Would you care as much that Rocky made it to the top of the steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art? Of course not! Music has the power to move mountains and everyone has songs that no matter what is going on in life can cheer them up. Create a mix cd of songs that charge you up in that way. Keep the songs positive, uplifting and up-tempo. Absolutely no sad songs of any kind should make it onto your mix. Some for obvious reasons, some just have that inexplicable good vibe.
Here’s an Example of a good motivating mix cd:
Chariots of Fire – Vangelis
I Believe I Can Fly – R. Kelly
I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor
MmmmBop – Hanson
Eye of the Tiger – Survivor
Tomorrow – Annie the Musical
I Can See Clearly Now – Johnny Nash
“Battle Buddies”
In the Army, soldiers are always assigned a “battle buddy” this is someone that you are always accountable for. If it’s good enough for the Army, it’s good enough for you try out to stay on course. You need someone to vent to when times get tough or share with when things go well. This could be a family member, a best friend or even a fellow classmate. Someone who is fully aware of your goals and can help you stay on task.
“Find a Mentor”
They aren’t always easy to find, but a mentor is someone who is there for you with a kind word of advice when you need it the most. The best mentors are people who have been in your exact situation and lived to tell the tale. This could be a teacher, guidance counselor or a recent graduate who’s walked in your same shoes.
It is important to realize that losing your motivation is not uncommon. It is best for you to find whatever works for you and if that motivation fails, find something else!
“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily” – Zig Ziglar