I've been gone from the blog for a little while thanks to school work, so I thought the topic of motivation would be fitting for this blog post!
University is an experience like no other. In high school, although the work load can be daunting at times, it's not overly difficult to complete. University has taught me so much in such a short amount of time. One of the hardest things I've experienced so far, is the work load; being in engineering, I think this is very true. Endless assignments, midterms and trying to have a social life on top of it all. So how do you stay motivated??
What Drives You
You can't think about it
too much, but enough to understand what drives you. For me it's a number of things: working with my friends in the right environment, my marks, goals for life after my undergrad and fundamentally, to make myself happy. It's often hard to step back and see the big picture, but you're doing this for a reason. If it's to go to graduate school, get a job, buy a house, start your own business, or just to say you could, it's always important to
keep reminding yourself why. Surround yourself with uplifting reminders such as quotes, post-it notes, pictures. Always remember you can do anything you set your mind to.
Break It Down
I've begun to post a list of small goals for the day on my lock screen of my iPod. Whenever I don't know what I should be doing, I take a look and pick whichever I feel appropriate. These can range from simple chores, to assignments, to small steps of a big project.
These steps should all be part of a bigger picture. Make sure your goals are attainable as well - push yourself but not to the extent that it becomes unrealistic. It will take practice, but don't beat yourself up about something you weren't able to complete in a day.
Your Environment
It also helps me to work with the right people. Engineering is all about working in teams, and it's important to find your own team. Gravitate towards the people who you know have a strong work ethic and it will become addicting - trust me! This drives me to do more: seeing other people work hard makes me want to do the same. Sure, maybe you love talking to your good friends instead, but hanging out won't satisfy you as much as finishing your work. If they really are your good friends, they'll understand how important your school work is.
Priorities are important when it comes to having a happy
and successful university career.
Lifestyle
The first two years of university for me consisted of minimal exercise and pure focus to my studies. After training and completing
my first 5km race this fall, I realized how exercise can really help you focus. It's a great stress reliever and allows you to think while building endurance. Complimenting exercise means the right nutrition. While a university students' life may be on-the-go, it's always important to remember that what you put into your body is personal fuel. Planning meals ahead of time and seeking out healthier options on campus will be a guaranteed way to make the most out of your food.
For me this is one of the most important parts of my lifestyle. Sleep. Plain and simple, but oh-so effective. Although this year I've been averaging 6 - 7 hours a night during the week days, I know how important sleep is to the way I function. Lack-there-of can mean a twitchy eyelid, migraine, or your lack of focus at school. Set yourself up for a productive day with a good nights sleep.
Not everyone is perfect and it is completely normal to sway from your goals and plans! I often criticize myself for this, but instead learn from it; make yourself a better person because of it. Life is a learning experience and you should enjoy it as much as you can! :)
