Motivation

py2006

Hi all,

I am due to start doing a degree at night from September (about 3 nights a week). Its a huge step for me as I am almost 30 now and have never studied at that level.

However, I am very worried! I am somebody who has struggled with motivation to do ANYTHING in the last few years. I have done very little over this time so my motivation, concentration and memory are really bad as a result.

I have put off doing a degree for years because of this but now I am about to start one. So, I am really concerned that I am going to loose interest and motivation let alone be able to concentrate and take in whats be said at lectures etc.

Has anybody any tips on this or would I slip into a rhythm of hard work after a few difficult weeks?

Thanks

Colm_OReilly

First of all, congratulations on taking on a big project like that!

Would it help if you focused on what you want - the degree, what it means to you, what doors it'll open up? rather than focus on the hard work?

I also noticed you talk about the degree as something very daunting and challenging. What could make you look at it as a series of smaller, more manageable(sp?) tasks?

Finally, it doesn't help to put pressure on yourself to be completely motivated. Try to accept the fact that you will have lapses, and you will lose concentration.

Hope this helps,
Colm

py2006

Colm_OReilly wrote:

First of all, congratulations on taking on a big project like that!

Cheers! I've been putting it off for years!

I also noticed you talk about the degree as something very daunting and challenging.

Yea, this is because I have never studied to that level and I find it hard to study/work hard because when I was younger I was very hyper-active. But I always viewed degrees as this really really hard thing to achieve.

I have only been working part-time for the last few years and I think that this may have led to me being lazy and unmotivated. There is no structure and routine to my life that I am hoping this would bring.

Ruu_Old

Best of luck with your degree. I find its good to make out a schedule for yourself and try your best to stick to it. It will be hard at first of course but give it time.

ams

I'm studying by night as well and its tough...really tough but as long as you focus on the end result you will get through it. You'll get used to managing your time more efficiently...on the nights you dont have college get your shopping and laundry and socialising done and on the nights you have college prepare to fall in after it wrecked.

it makes you appreciate your free time so much more. When the summer started I honestly didn't know how I was going to fill my evenings!!! it was like being back at school!

make sure your friends/partner/family understand that you will have less time for them and that you will need their encouragement and support through it.

Best of luck!

py2006

ams wrote:

I'm studying by night as well and its tough...really tough but as long as you focus on the end result you will get through it. You'll get used to managing your time more efficiently...on the nights you dont have college get your shopping and laundry and socialising done and on the nights you have college prepare to fall in after it wrecked.

it makes you appreciate your free time so much more. When the summer started I honestly didn't know how I was going to fill my evenings!!! it was like being back at school!

make sure your friends/partner/family understand that you will have less time for them and that you will need their encouragement and support through it.

Best of luck!

Thats exactly what I want. I want to appreciate and enjoy my freetime. I just take it for granted now. Did it take you long to get into a routine?