How to Stay Motivated in College: 5 Tips for Student Success

When balancing assignments with work and family responsibilities, you might find it a bit challenging to stay motivated at times, no matter what your college degree program is. Even if you're fully engaged in your coursework, there are bound to be times when you feel frustrated or question whether your efforts are worth it.

Remember, college is a marathon, not a sprint — and even with that in mind, there may be days when you're feeling off track. Here are 5 tips from Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) academic advisors to help you stay the course and succeed. 

1. Pursue Your Passion

Do you find time flies when you are engrossed in a good book or solving an intriguing problem? When you're passionate about what you're doing it can help you stay motivated. That's why earning a degree that really interests you, and ties into your goals, can keep you focused.

You may feel pressured to pick a major based on what others have to say. Whether it's your family, friends or perhaps even your manager or co-workers — they may be well intentioned but it's you that's enrolled in the program.

If you start feeling disinterested or losing steam, remember you're not alone. You have a support system in your academic advisor, who can offer advice on how to get back on track. They can help you align your coursework with your goals, keeping you motivated and engaged.

2. Set and Organize Your Goals

There are many reasons you might enroll in college — whether it's for career advancement, finding a new job or achieving your dream of earning a degree. But how do you stay motivated over long periods of time, potentially even years?

"Break things up into smaller, digestible pieces," said Karyn Jenkins, a liberal arts academic advisor at SNHU. "If you have a big project or paper due, focus on one piece at a time. The next thing you know, you'll have completed a big chunk, and that can help you get the momentum to keep going."

Defining your priorities, perhaps in the form of a master calendar that documents all of your assignments and the due dates of each, can help you create an achievable roadmap. In that calendar, you can block off the time you plan to read, post or study, Jenkins said.

If you look at your to-do list and feel completely unmotivated, reflecting on your bigger picture goals may be helpful.

"Remember that working on a project is a step toward completing a class and a step toward completing your degree," Jenkins said. "Think about the value of what you are trying to accomplish now."

3. Develop and Lean on Your Support System

Getting friends and family on your side is key to being a successful college student, especially if you have work and other responsibilities competing for your time.

"Staying in contact with your support system is crucial," said Luis Raymundo '15, an academic advisor at SNHU. Raymundo earned his bachelor's in psychology at SNHU and took some time to discover his true passion: helping students succeed. He's been fulfilling that passion as an academic advisor for the past four years.

Having an accountability buddy can also help you stay the course, whether that person is a classmate, a personal friend, a partner or even a close coworker.

If you feel alone in your challenge, it can be isolating, said Deb Polatchek, an academic advisor for graduate students at SNHU. One of the most important things for you to be successful is to make sure you feel connected, she said.

Jenkins said that your academic advisor can also serve as an accountability buddy if there's no one in your immediate circle that can support you in such a role.

"I emphasize to my students who feel like they have lost motivation the steps they can take right now. I tell them that when in doubt, reach out for support," she said.

Raymundo plays a crucial role in the student support system as an academic advisor. "I am always willing to work with students throughout their course and encourage students to reach out to their instructors for additional assistance," he said.

4. Celebrate All Wins — Big and Small

After you finish a final paper or a particularly challenging project, it's okay to blow off steam and treat yourself to a quick reward. It could be as simple as a walk, a phone call or taking some time to enjoy a hobby. In the long run, it’s helpful to document your small wins for those times you're wondering how to motivate yourself, Jenkins said.

According to Raymundo, one of the most common causes for lack of motivation in college students is burnout, which can come from all areas of your life.

One way to combat burnout is to celebrate all of the little victories. It's important to note when you pass that big exam or make the honor roll, because it can help keep you motivated throughout your program.

Polatchek tells students to keep those "A" papers handy to look at when they experience self-doubt.

"It will remind you that you are smart and you can do this," she said.

5. Embrace the Journey

Your greatest achievements may well include setbacks along the way. These setbacks don’t indicate failure but instead, serve as challenges you learn to overcome.

Polatchek said that students need to keep their expectations realistic and to take feedback constructively to grow and learn.

"Make sure you are surrounded by people who are positive and supportive and can remind you that you are awesome for doing this," she said.

Whether you are just beginning your journey or find yourself a few classes away from earning your degree, these motivational strategies can inspire you to stay positive and keep you moving toward your goal.

Krysten Godfrey Maddocks ’11G is a writer who covers K-12 and higher education topics, including policy and the role of digital technology in education. She spent almost a decade working in various marketing roles at an educational assessment company before launching a strategic marketing company. Maddocks earned a master's degree in marketing from Southern New Hampshire University and a bachelor's degree in English/ journalism from the University of New Hampshire. Connect with her on LinkedIn.