College is an enriching experience designed to teach you skills you will use in your career the rest of your life. That’s kind of a heady thought when it’s also mixed in with dorm rooms and frat parties. Not every young adult entering college is ready to look forward to the rest of their life. Here’s some tips from a graduate to help you students struggling to feel motivated.
Money.
Unlike High School, additional education such as college or trade school costs MONEY. And if you aren’t careful, you can end up with mounds of debt and no usable skills. If that’s not an incentive, think of this; this time it’s you footing the bill. Perhaps you are lucky enough to have scholarships or rich parents, but don’t amass student loans assuming there will be a high paying job for you after college. This isn’t You never know where you will end up or what you will end up doing. My best friend amassed $40,000 in student loans on a Graphic Arts degree, and now manages a Walmart Bakery. (And she’s incredible at it.)
Skills.
You’ll actually be using this stuff. While some people won’t end up using their degree, some will. I graduated in Elementary Education, and in some ways, I was not prepared for what being a teacher entails. I wish I had spent more time developing those specialized skills to guide me. Take the time to develop the skills you will end up using in your career. Keep your text books relating to your career.
Connections.
In college you can make connections that can boost you in your career. But do you want a reputation as a frat boy or sterling scholar? Your reputation will follow you (Thanks Social Media), but the friendships you make can follow you too (Thanks Social Media).
Character.
Many College students are fledgling adults. College will provide opportunities for learning, growth, and character development. Especially as some have to actually “Adult” for the first time ever. For many freshmen, college is their first experience away from home. Your interactions with professors, TAs, Deans, and Colleagues will lead you to greater opportunities, if you play nice. As mentioned before, any reputation you build will likely follow you. I lost a job once while in college, but I chose to continue doing my best until the end of my time, and to not say negative things. That experience changed my response to how I deal with job loss; effectively preserving rather than burning bridges.
In Conclusion, if you are struggling with motivation, take some time to reflect. Ask yourself “Why is this so hard for me? What is it that I actually don’t want to do? Am I afraid to fail?” List the reasons WHY you chose this path.
Emily Tuckett is a Middle School Science Teacher, and mother of two delightful girls ages 3 and 6. She lives in Utah with a great view of the Rocky Mountains. She enjoys panning for gold to teach about density, and watching Bluey with her daughters. She is a writer and scholarship coach.