MOTIVATION & CONCENTRATION

 

No Interest | Concentration Quiz Tips | Weekly Goal Setting | Increasing Concentration

 

No Interest

Whether or not you like the course, it's important to perform well. If your future goals are not clear, it is all the more reason to perform well. You don't want your lack of effort now to hinder goals you might to pursue in the future.

1. Find out more about the course content.
bulletread outside material on the subject
bullettalk to students in the major and ask: Why do they find the subject interesting?
What excites them most about the field and how can you get excited about it?

2. Apply the course content to areas that you are interested in and are meaningful to you. ex: You are a Pre-Med major taking Economics to meet a Gen Ed Requirement

  1. If you invest $100,000 in Med School, how soon based on the projected Economy in 10 years will you see a return on your investment?
  2. Where is the best place to set up your practice if you are determined to retire at the age of 55? Will projections allow you to retire?
  3. What type of financial future will I have if I specialize and want to remain in an urban setting? Will I be able to charge the "going rate"?
  4. What impact will the global economy have on the medical field?

3. Use effective study strategies. Studying more is not always studying better.

 

The class is boring!

Make it a point to generate interest; intend to become interested.

  1. Take quality notes -- notes that are complete, well organized.
  2. Elaborate your notes -- use different colors to highlight your notes, make notations, etc.
  3. Make comments in class and have a question ready to ask each day.
  4. Read in advance -- the lecture will seem more interesting if you already know some of what the professor is going to talk about.
  5. Be aggressive in your listening.
bulletSit in the front of the class
bulletSit up straight
bulletBe prepared and alert
bulletInteract with the Professor -- both verbally and mentally

From: Learning to Learn: Make the Transition from Student to Life-Long Learner Kenneth Kiewra & Nelson DuBois, Allyn & Bacon, Boston, MA 1998


Weekly Goal Setting

Write down your academic goals for the week.
bulletI want to memorize all the vocabulary words 2 days ahead of my Spanish quiz.
bulletI want to develop a timeline and write summaries my Western Civ Class.
bulletI want to find 10 sources for my Psych research paper.

Write down the steps you need to take to accomplish these goals.

  1. Study Saturday for Spanish from 2 - 4pm by reviewing my flashcards (textbook, review sheets, workbook, notes, etc.).
  2. Attending the Spanish Tutoring Group on Wednesday evening.
  3. Block off 2 hours of time on Tuesday to review notes and text to make a timeline.
  4. Block off 1 hour on Thursday to write out summaries/practice essays for Western Civ.
  5. Go to the Library on Thursday from 7 - 9pm with my classmate to find appropriate sources for my paper.

Write out the positive factors that will help you reach your goal.
bulletIf I use my Spanish flashcards effectively each day I could improve my chances of doing better in Spanish because I will be better prepared for the exam.
bulletI know if I go to the Tutoring Group my roommate will come with me and we will both better understand verb tenses.
bulletI won't have a Calc assignment so I can use my extra time Thursday for Western Civ.
bulletI need to be faithful to what God has called me to as a student.
bulletPassing this course will fulfill a Gen Ed requirement and help move me towards my future goals.

Write out the obstacles that will prevent you from reaching your goal.
bulletI want to sleep.
bulletI want to hang out all evening with my friends and just relax.
bulletI am not that interested in the course.
bulletMy room is too noisy but I don't like the Library.
bulletI did not go to class so I don't have the notes or know what I am supposed to concentrate on for the exam.

Avoid the Obstacles and Move towards the Goals.

 

© 1998 Houghton College
NO unauthorized use of any materials on this website without written permission.

BACK