Students experience lack of motivation from fall to winter term

By Hannah Harcrow · The Mainstream
Published February 23, 2010

As winter term begins to wind down, so does motivation to attend class, complete coursework, and study for tests, according to many students and teachers.

“I definitely think most students lose motivation for school as the year goes on,” said Jordan Brown, a second-year student at UCC. “Fall term is great because it’s right after students have had a long break, so they’re ready to come back and focus on school. As the year goes on, students get tired of the monotony of school, especially when they have to take a lot of classes that don’t pertain to their majors. A lot of students only look at the here and now, and not the big picture of their classes. They have to take classes they’re not interested in and they don’t see how these classes are going to affect them in the long-run.”

Many students agree, according to student surveys, that motivation isn’t the only decline they see among themselves as the school year progresses. Attendance, learning, and grades also tend to suffer.

“Last term, getting good grades was my top priority,” Brown explained. “ I was in class every day and always did my assignments and studied for tests. This term is much different because I’m just tired of school and ready for a break. My grades aren’t as high as they were last term and I only attend class when I feel that I really need to.”

Simply being bored with school isn’t the only reason for the decline. Many college students are juggling classes with jobs, children, spouses and other responsibilities. With so many things going on, many students are just exhausted.

Erica Archambault, a third-year UCC student, is currently balancing classes along with working three jobs. “I have a lot going on,” Archambault said. “It’s very difficult to balance everything I have to do.”

“I’ve been juggling school with working between 25 and 30 hours a week,” Brown said. “It’s hard to manage my time when I’m so busy with work and other things.”

With about half of the school year left, students like Brown and Archambault are finding ways to persevere through the remainder of the school year.

“I think we as students can motivate each other to come to classes and get better grades,” Brown explained. “What helps me is when I take classes with friends. They help motivate me to come to class, and, when I’m there, I feel more motivated to do the work.”

Archambault finds her motivation by focusing on the reason she is attending UCC: to get a degree. “I’m almost done with school, and I want my degree, so I’m focusing on that,” Archambault explained. “That’s why I’m here, and even though it’s difficult, I have to remember to push through so I can graduate.”

Many school counseling centers have suggested that students set attainable goals and create new challenges for themselves. Keeping goals in mind and avoiding boredom can help students maintain motivation throughout the school year.