You’re familiar with the stresses that come along with college but no one ever talks about the lack of inspiration that we face on the daily. Demotivation is something all college students suffer from but never really know how to fix. Whether it’s getting work done, creating things or brainstorming what to write your senior thesis about, you need major inspiration. The hype that is college life dissipates real fast once assignments and exams start coming in fast. We need to find a way to get inspired. The question is, how?
Check out 5 ways to get motivated without stepping foot off campus.
1. Audit a class outside of your major
Sometimes when we’re stuck it’s usually from doing the same thing over and over again. Audit (aka sit in and listen) a class you wouldn’t normally take but would love to learn more about. A lot of the times, when our brain is stimulated we discover things we may not have touched on before. Look at the various classes your college offers. Maybe that anthropology class or psychology class might give you more insight than you think.
2. Think positive
If you’re feeling stuck at a major roadblock with your assignments, take a positive approach to your work. Try to make things interesting and fun instead of seeing your course load as just homework. That means thinking about what skills this assignment will teach you that’ll transfer over into your dream career. It’s kind of like tricking your mind into doing something you would otherwise write off as boring.
3. Go to a random club meeting
Hearing other people talk about passions similar to yours gives you a chance to exchange ideas and hear new perspectives. Inspiration occurs in the most random of places. Who knows? Showing up to a cheese club’s meeting may just help you find new BFFs in your major. Balance the academic and social aspects of college to ensure you get the most out of college.
4. Walk across your entire campus
Explore your college campuses to the fullest without worrying about making it to class on time. So grab a friend and venture out. Look into surrounding areas and look on Yelp or your school blog to discover new places. Draw, hike, paint, write, visit the libraries you’ve never gotten the chance to or explore art museums nearby. Exploring new places refreshes your mind and allows the brain to get creative and stimulated.
5. Use your resources
Here’s the thing about colleges: They will always offer help, but you have to seek it out, first. Get help from teachers, peers, mentors, tutors, and more. As anxious and annoyed at your lack of inspiration as you may feel, that’s what the resources on your campus are for. Look into your professor’s office hours to stop by for a quick chat. Teachers are often times engaging, ready to listen to what you have to say and ready to provide feedback.
