Staying Motivated for Summer Classes

Do you have trouble staying motivated for Summer courses?

You’re not alone…

It’s easier to refresh your social media accounts every ten minutes hoping for new posts or to start that Netflix show you’ve been telling yourself will be binge worthy.

You have to remember that the deadlines for your assignments aren’t going to change, and those distractions will still be there when the work is done.

The ability of a student to get motivated to study can have a large impact on their study levels and grades. A student that is motivated will have an easier time to go above and beyond what is asked of them, assuring success. This student will have the ability to study for longer periods of time and won’t have to deal with the anxiety and sense of panic when the deadlines are approaching.

The University of Nebraska at Kearney eCampus has some strategies to help you eliminate that procrastination mentality.

Discover Why You Procrastinate

There are many reasons why people procrastinate; here are the most common:

• You don’t believe you have the ability to complete the work.

• No interest in the topic.

• You don’t know where to start (which can be overwhelming).

• You haven’t scheduled time to work on it.

The first step is realizing the cause. Think about why you don’t want to work on your assignment or what is stopping you from completing it.

Set a Goal

The best way to start your assignment is to set a goal that is well thought out. This is a powerful motivational technique that will keep you focused. It’s best to start with short-term goals and work your way up to the long-term goals.

It is important to find an objective that will keep you focused and operating with a positive mentality. This will greatly increase your perseverance.

• Write your goals down so you can visualize the accomplishment.

• DO NOT negotiate with yourself – stick to the plan.

Break It Down Into Chunks

Procrastination can lead to a mindset that the assignment is overwhelming. Change this by breaking down the assignment into small tasks.

Assign yourself a task each day so the assignment feels more manageable. These could be your short-term goals.  

Reward Yourself

Every time you complete a short or long-term goal, reward yourself with something of your choosing. This is a simple concept, but highly effective. 

By doing this, you develop positive emotions, leading your brain to realize that an effort results in a positive outcome. Long-term goals that require a higher effort will send the message of an even more positive gratification.

• After you set a goal, make sure the reward is appropriate.

• Small tasks should only be rewarded slightly.

• Remember: Failure to complete task = NO REWARD

Space

It is easy to become distracted and procrastinate. Try to find a space to study where you will not get distracted so easily. Finding this space is a good start to begin your goal setting and studies! 

Check out more study tips and student resources on the eCampus Blog.