Keeping Myself Motivated

Motivation: What is it?

Motivation is defined as the process that initiates, guides and maintains goal-
oriented behaviours. Motivation is what causes us to act, whether it is getting a
glass of water to reduce thirst or reading a book to gain knowledge.

Thats one definition of motivation. But right now lets talk

about . . . climbing hills!

Activity 1

A hill to climb

1. You are taken to the foot of a hill and told that you must climb to the
top. You are not told why, you are not told how high it is, you are not
told what will happen, if anything, when you reach the top. The hill is
steep and slippery in places. You are breathless and your legs are
aching. What are your thoughts?

2. You are taken to the foot of a hill and told that if you climb to the top
there will be a reward waiting for you. You are half-way up, legs
aching, breathless but you remember the reward waiting for you.
What are your thoughts?

3. You are standing at the foot of a hill and think Id like to climb that
hill; its not too high for me; the climb will make me fitter and better
able to climb other hills that Ill see when I reach the top. Half-way
up, legs aching, breathless. What are your thoughts?
 Keeping Myself Motivated
What can we learn from the hill climb?
1. Without motivation tasks can seem pointless, fruitless and thankless.
Challenges become problems, even barriers, to success. Your focus is on
the difficulties rather than the opportunities and rewards.

2. Motivation can be gained by the promise of a material gain on

completion of the task. This is known as extrinsic motivation.

3. Motivation can come from an internal desire to succeed, to overcome

obstacles and the ability to see difficulties as challenges and
opportunities. This is known as intrinsic motivation.

Motivation gives us the energy and drive we need to

climb that hill.

Here are a few more words which can be associated

with being motivated; you may be able to think of
more.

So, lets find your motivation . . .

 Keeping Myself Motivated
Activity 2: Reconnect with your goals
What course are you studying at INTOManchester?

Think back and try to remember why you chose this course, make a
list of all the reasons below.

What do you like/enjoy about your course?

What have you achieved so far (new skills, knowledge etc)?

How do you think completing this course will help you? What are
the benefits?

1) Reflect on the answers you have given on the questionnaire,

there should be many positives for you to focus on.
2) Congratulate yourself on how much you have achieved since
starting the course.
3) Concentrate on the things which are important to you.
4) Look forward to the benefits and desirable outcomes of
successfully completing your course.
 Keeping Myself Motivated

Activity 3: Chemistry studies in Semester 2

FACT: If you change your behaviour, you will change your outcomes.
You can make most tasks more manageable by breaking them down
into mini-goals.
You will find that lots of small successes will ease the way to your
bigger goal.

What is my goal for my Chemistry studies?

1
What can I do every day to help me work toward my goal?
2

What can I do weekly to help me achieve my goal?

3

What do I need to do during the Easter break to keep on

4 target?

What do I need to do from May 2016?

5
 Keeping Myself Motivated

Ideas Grid
I need to
attend support classes
100% attendance for
Semester 2
make revision notes
review my notes and ask
if I do not understand
anything
in class switch off my
fully participate in class
phone and put it away
complete all homework
tasks on time
focus in class
complete all tasks in
class
make revision cards
set up a study group
activities
visit the INTO learning
centre
be on time for class so I
do not miss important
information
ask questions in class to
clarify
keep up to date notes in
a file and in a logical
order
make a revision
timetable
use Chemistry resources
and notes on Moodle
do background reading
for each topic

learn the basics using complete the questions always stay positive and
BBC Bitsize Chemistry in my revision guide for believe I can achieve my
each topic goal

Sources:

Cottrell, S. (2008) The Study Skills Handbook 3rd Edition Palgrave, Basingstoke

Also:

http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newHTE_96.htm

http://www.runshaw.ac.uk/sixth-form-college/student-support/

http://www.skillsyouneed.com/ps/self-motivation.html

http://psychology.about.com/od/mindex/g/motivation-definition.htm

http://tinybuddha.com/blog/how-to-keep-yourself-motivated-when-youre-not-feeling-it/
 Keeping Myself Motivated

Teacher feedback sheet:

Student name:______________________________

Group:___________________

How can your teacher help you achieve your goals in your Chemistry
studies?

Are there any topics you need extra help with?

Thank you for your feedback. This will help your teacher plan for
future lessons.