Motivation
Motivation
Why is motivation important?
Motivation is what gives you energy and keeps you moving forward in your everyday life. Because of this, it is essential that you know how to keep up your motivation.
Lack of motivation can lead to a feeling of pressure and imbalance in your student life. You may have been motivated to study, but with time lost your spirit? Perhaps you doubt whether your current study programme is the right one for you? No matter what the reason is, it is important that you find your driving force. Are you unsure what motivates you? Then consider the following:
- 1
What makes you happy?
Find a piece of paper and write down the things which make you happy - these are typically the things which motivate you and renew your energy.
- 2
How much time do you spend with your energy sources?
Now ask yourself how much time you spend with these sources of energy during an average day or week, and reflect on how much time you would like to spend with them, in order for you to feel happy and motivated on a daily basis.
Amalie's advice on motivation
Emilie's advice on motivation
Find your own driving force!
Motivation can be the driving force you need to keep up with your studies, but if you are no longer motivated, you will use excessive amounts of resources and energy just to get through every semester. That is why it is important to ask yourself these four questions:
1.
Did I choose the right study programme?
2.
What is my passion?
3.
What motivates me?
4.
What do I love to do, and why?
It can be intimidating to acknowledge that your study programme may not be the right one for you, and you may doubt what it is you actually want to do. That is why it is important to consider the questions above. It is crucial that you find your motivation – the motivation that makes everything easier for you, gives you experience in succeeding and makes you want to walk through fire and water to succeed.
Motivation is not the same as being extremely passionate about your programme, but you do need to find - or rediscover - a basic feeling of meaningfulness with completing your programme.
Do you feel pressured or stressed?
Feeling pressured or stressed can easily affect your levels of motivation. It is therefore important to figure out what it is that pressures or stresses you, so that you are able to deal with it. Do you find it difficult to identify what is at play? Then try the following exercise:
- 1
External stress factors
Reflect on what kind of pressure you are experiencing from others and write down your reflections on a piece of paper.
- 2
Internal stress factors
Reflect on what kind of pressure you put on yourself and write down your thoughts on the same piece of paper.
- 3
What can YOU do?
Look at the external and internal stress factors you have written down, and ask yourself "what can I do about it?"