1. GETTING AND STAYING
MOTIVATED
LUNCH AND LEARN
STUDENT SUCCESS
Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run
over if you just sit there.
- Arthur Godfrey

2. Motivation is the academic glue that holds
everything together
 It’s tempting to blame a lack of motivation on others – a
boring professor or an annoying roommate – but YOU
are responsible for your own motivation!
 No one else can motivate you if you don’t have your own
internal motivation.
 But motivation can be fleeting, and you need strategies
to tap into your motivation…..
 So let’s get motivated!

3. Setting Goals
 Students who set goals – long and short term – are more
motivated to complete those goals.
 Chances are you already set goals for personal things like
losing weight and exercising, but you can and should set
academic goals as well.
 Having defined goals can also help you become motivated in
classes you don’t particularly like!
 So before each semester begins, jot down 3 goals you’d like
to reach within that semester.

4. Always make sure your goals are…
 Specific – Are your goals clearly defined?
 Clearly defined goals keep your eye on the prize
 Measurable – Are your goals clearly measured?
 Measurable goals help you track your progress
 Realistic – Can your goals be reached?
 Realistic goals are more easily achieved
 Flexible – Are my goals adjustable?
 Life is always changing and flexible goals can help you
adjust to these changes as needed

5. Different Types of Goals
 Setting short term and intermediate goals will
help you better achieve your long term goal…
 Short Term – Learning 10 new words in French every
week
 Intermediate – Learn the basics of French in a year
 Long Term – Studying abroad in France

6. Process Goals
 Process Goals are goals that describe what we will
do to reach our desired outcome
 These goals help us reach the short term and
intermediate goals on the way to our long term goals
 A process goal for learning French vocabulary would
be to make vocabulary cards – without these cards,
your short term goal may never be met

7. Goals need to be set at different levels
 Set goals so they are a tiny bit beyond your grasp, but
not so far that they are completely out of reach
 Reaching slightly challenging goals can do wonders for
your motivation!
 Remember to consider factors around you when setting
your goals: tiredness, family/social commitments, and
other outside influences
 The better you set your goals, the more motivated you’ll
be!

8. Suggestions for Getting Motivated
 Break up big assignments into smaller chunks
 Use the five minute rule
 Work on something for 5 minutes, once you get started you
will find that you won’t stop after the set time
 Set goals for each study session
 Reward yourself
 Seek help if you need it

9. Suggestions for Staying Motivated
 Use intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
 Add variety
 Organize a study group
 Keep a schedule
 Use positive self-talk
 Take breaks

10. Suggestions for Reviving Your
Motivation
 Reevaluate your goals
 Add more choices to your life
 Relate schoolwork to your life
 Seek professional help if needed
 Don’t hibernate
 Prioritize

11. Keep tabs on your motivation
 Try to recognize when your motivation breaks
down and what things led you to become
unmotivated
 Once you are able to see what affects your
motivation, you will be better able to make
adjustments to keep your motivation soaring!