Motivation

How to Stay Motivated
     

Motivation is a key factor in a successful online experience. In face-to-face classes, you see your professors, classmates, and group members. Online you might feel isolated or not as connected to your peers or your professors since you don’t “see” them as often. This can also mean that at times you might not feel the same level of accountability to getting your work done. Being a successful online learner requires that you stay motivated and manage your time. Check out the tips below for some ideas on how to stay motivated.

Stay Focused on Your Why

Make sure you stay grounded in what got you here, to SJSU, in the first place. What does this degree mean to you? Think about how you’ll use this degree in your future career and how incredibly proud you’ll feel for accomplishing this goal. And, of course, think about your support system and those who look up to you -- you will no doubt make them proud!

Take some time to watch the video below, explore your own thoughts about what motivates you to do certain things with your life and your time. Why are you in college?

      • Because others expect it of you?
      • Because you have your own long-term goals?
      • Can you imagine yourself in 5 years? 10?
      • What helps you get where you want to go?

After you watch the video below:

      • Capture your why in a few words and write it down.
      • Post it everywhere (your bedroom door, the mirror in the bathroom) so you can be reminded of this when things get tough.

Video Title: "Michelle Obama's Best Advice for Students." (03m:21s | CC Available)

Secure Your Support System

Now that you’ve identified your vision and goals, it’s great to have folks around you keep your eye on the prize. Mentors can be your professors, family, or friends who can guide you and help you develop new skills. Counselors and advisors can help you plan your courses and explore careers. To secure a support system:

      • Identify one or more friends, family members, or mentors who can be your support.
      • Share your goals with them and ask them to help you keep these in mind when things get tough and you’re up all night finishing that long paper or studying for that mid-term.
      • Reach out to friends and peers who can motivate you by listening and sharing ideas.
      • Let your loved ones know there might be times while you work on this degree that you can’t spend time with them because you have to focus on your studies.

Set Attainable Goals and Chart Your Progress

With your vision in mind, you need to have clear goals so you can achieve your vision -- especially when you might be overwhelmed or are having a hard time staying motivated. Focus on small goals that you will be able to achieve. For instance, if you're having trouble writing a 25-page paper for class because it seems like such a big job, don't focus on that final number. Instead, break the paper down and consider each section of your paper individually. You can handle any project in small chunks.

      • Use a physical or online calendar to check off daily and weekly goals that you accomplish. This will give you a sense of pride and accomplishment.
      • Keep a list of your long-term goals handy (including career goals), so you can refer to them when you begin to feel stressed or down.
      • Remind yourself why you are taking these courses in the first place; this can really help spark your motivation!

Engage in Online Interactive Activities

Traditional classroom settings help to cement the learning process by providing you with opportunities to talk about what you have learned. Class discussions can really help you to understand more of the information and can also help to peak your interest. There are many opportunities to interact online - take initiative and be active!

      • Participate in discussion forums or interactive activities in your online classes that help you engage with others and share what you are learning.
      • Take the initiative to talk about what you’re learning with your family, friends, and even create a study group with your classmates (more on that later).
      • Attend virtual office hours via Zoom.

Engage with Your Class Community

Although online learning doesn't provide a physical space to meet with your fellow students, most online or blended courses provide some means to talk with your classmates, such as text-based discussion forums or interactive video discussions.

      • Take advantage of these tools to get to know other students in your class.
      • Find out if your classmates are using Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.
      • Try setting up an online study group, or if possible, try to find a student who lives close to you, and meet up to study or talk about your class.
      • Meet other students using Zoom (more on that later).

Stay Positive When/If You Fall Behind

Staying positive is a big part of the motivational process. Some students, out of fatigue or stress, begin to develop negative associations with their courses. These negative associations can cause you to stop logging in to your online or blended class, or to forget your assignment due dates. If you fall behind in an online or blended class, it can be hard to catch up and finish the course successfully.

      • If you are finding it difficult to stay positive about your online class, talk to your instructor.
      • You may also want to talk with other students in your course to help you through tough times.
      • Remember to take the time to encourage others in the discussion forums or through email.
      • Reach out to your support system and Mentors.
      • Reread your WHY!

Reward Yourself

With all the hard work that you are doing, you need to take some time out to reward yourself. When you accomplish a goal, no matter how small, be sure to reward yourself with something that will make you happy! Whether it's a fancy dinner, a walk on the beach, or renting a favorite movie, or even time on social media, these rewards can help you stay motivated and on task. You can't be expected to study, work, and manage a family all of the time, so be sure to reserve some time that is just for you.

      • Make a list of small rewards you can give yourself as you achieve weekly milestones.
      • Make a list of bigger rewards you can give yourself as you finish big assignments or finish the semester.

To Review

      • Stay focused on your why
      • Secure your support system
      • Set attainable goals and chart your progress
      • Engage in online interactive activities
      • Engage with your class community
      • Stay positive when/if you fall behind
      • Reward yourself