36 Motivation and Goal Setting

Exploring our own motivation and goals in learning is a really useful exercise when starting a new phase of life. This can involve asking questions like:

• What made you choose to attend your school?
• What do you hope to achieve in your first semester or year at post-secondary?
• What is motivating you to pursue your degree/diploma?

You probably have a range of answers to these or similar questions. You may have very specific career or learning goals. You may have chosen your program carefully because it puts you on a pathway to what you want to do. You may have chosen courses or a program based on interests or strengths, without a clear direction in mind. Others may be here because they were expected to by parents, teachers, peers or societal pressure in general. You probably have a number of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation factors while you begin your studies.

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation

One way to think of motivation is intrinsic versus extrinsic.

In the long run, we are generally more successful when we’re able to focus and rely on intrinsic motivations, such as intellectual curiosity and taking pride in our work and achievements. That doesn’t mean that we can’t also think about our grades, parental pressure or financial considerations, but if these are our main focus or motivation it can be more challenging to meet our goals.

So, while studying at post-secondary, take advantage of your independence and opportunities to be autonomous. Allow yourself to decide how, where, and when you’ll do your work in the way that will best suit you. Allow yourself to be curious and creative. Allow yourself the time and flexibility to engage with your work and opportunities. Work towards mastery for your own personal benefit and find your own purpose for doing things. Allow yourself to be more intrinsically motivated and more successful.

Goal Setting

When you think about what is motivating you to pursue a degree/diploma, you can think about a variety of goals based on different timelines. Whether you have specific career or personal goals (e.g. to be a writer, to be a lawyer, to run a marathon) or more general goals (e.g. to be employed, to be healthy and happy, to have meaningful relationships), identifying where you want to be can help you create appropriate short-term goals along the way. Here are some tips for setting, committing to, and reaching goals in post-secondary.

1. Think about short, mid, and long-term goals.

What are some things you wish to achieve at the end of the week? This semester? In the next 3-4 years? Your list of goals should be fluid, dynamic, and ever-changing as you continue to create and reach them.

2. State your goals as positive statements.

You will notice a huge difference in your motivation and drive if you tell yourself to “add reminders in my phone for all weekly quizzes” instead of “don’t make the stupid mistake of forgetting about your test again”.

3. Be as specific as possible with your goals.

The more specific they are, the easier they are to visualize, work towards, and attain. For example, instead of setting the long-term goal of getting into politics, change it to something like: “I will finish my Political Science degree, gain an internship at Parliament, and eventually earn a seat in Parliament”.

4. Always try to give your goals a time frame.

For example, instead of setting the mid-term goal of earning a 3.7 GPA someday, change it to something like: “I will finish this semester with a 3.7 GPA”.

5. Reward yourself when you achieve a goal.

Perhaps you accomplished the short-term goal of working out 4 days a week. Treat yourself to your favourite snack or treat.

6. Be accepting of setbacks.

Even when you’re motivated and focused to achieve your realistic and specific goals, problems sometimes arise. It is important to know how to cope and adjust when life doesn’t go as planned. Seek help when you need it, consider all available solutions, and be adaptable to change.