Top 10 Ways to Stay Motivated in School

By Aimee Hosler | Jan 10, 2011

Remember when a snazzy backpack stuffed with supplies was all it took to get excited about school? Now you're in college and your textbooks have become over-priced paperweights. Most students at campus-based or online colleges reach a point in their education where motivation takes a backseat to boredom or frustration. Don't fret--you can rekindle lost enthusiasm. Our top 10 ways to stay motivated in school can help.

1. Get (and Stay) Organized

It's not easy to finish that paper when you're surrounded by chaos. It sounds simplistic, but sometimes just organizing your room, notebooks, and computer files can help you feel more on your game

2. Get an Internship

Not sure if you're in the right major? It's normal to question whether you've really made the right decision. Getting an internship related to your field of study can help you regain your enthusiasm, make you feel more confident, and may even pad your wallet.

3. Form a Study Group

Even if you don't need a study group to do well in your classes, networking with fellow students might be just what you need to get your intellectual juices flowing again.

4. Take Advantage of Office Hours

If you're struggling in a class, it's only natural to lose enthusiasm for the subject matter. Make good use of your professor's office hours.

5. Get a Tutor

As noted in the previous point, tough classes can take a toll on your motivation to do well (or even just finish your homework). Getting a good tutor can boost your productivity and self confidence.

6. De-Stress Early and Often

Even the most dedicated students need to close the books and unwind now and again. Pushing yourself too hard can actually crush your motivation to do well.

7. Get Enough Sleep

If your social or academic life is cutting into your nightly Z's, it's time to break the cycle. Not getting your beauty rest can lead to fuzzy thinking, depression, and--you guessed it--lack of motivation.

8. Keep Your Eye on the Prize

Tired of your classes? It's time to regain some perspective and remember why you're going to college in the first place. A Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that salaries increase and unemployment rates decline with education, so while college is stressful, it can actually boost your happiness and sense of security down the road. This too shall pass.

9. Get a Job

If you aren't working, a job might be just what you need to become a more motivated student. Sure, a job gives you a new sense of purpose, especially if it's in an industry you care about, but even a crummy job can remind you why you enrolled in college to begin with. Just make sure you aren't over-extended.

10. Take a Sabbatical

Sometimes you just need a break from it all. Taking a leave of absence from school can help tremendously--just contact your admissions office to make sure you're within their policies. Can't afford to abandon your books? Consider an exchange program and study overseas; a change in scenery is therapeutic.