3 answers
Jaycee
Student
Caldwell, Idaho
1
Question
Updated
390 views
I have always struggled with motivation- my earlier life was a struggle. But now, on my way to college, I'm worried about losing motivation and not being able to become the best version of myself. Between feeling homesick, seasonal depression, my own mental illness, and making friends, I'm worried that I might lose motivation and struggle in my classes. What are some tips and habits that can help me do all of my educational work while still being social enough to make friends and join communities Does anyone else struggle with this? What works for you guys? Thank you so much! #Fall25?
I have always struggled with motivation- my earlier life was a struggle. But now, on my way to college, I'm worried about losing motivation and not being able to become the best version of myself. Between feeling homesick, seasonal depression, my own mental illness, and making friends, I'm worried that I might lose motivation and struggle in my classes. What are some tips and habits that can help me do all of my educational work while still being social enough to make friends and join communities? Does anyone else struggle with this? What works for you guys? Thank you so much! #Fall25
3 answers
Yoav Traeger
Bid Manager
75
Answers
Kiryat Ono, Tel Aviv District
Updated
Yoav’s Answer
It is incredibly brave and self-aware of you to recognize the challenges you have faced and to proactively think about how to protect your motivation as you head into college, especially considering the complex weight of homesickness, seasonal changes, managing your mental health, and the natural desire to build a social life—please know that your concerns are completely valid, and yes, countless students struggle with similar feelings, making this a universal college experience you are far from facing alone. To safeguard your motivation, the most important habit is to establish a non-negotiable, minimal daily routine that includes tiny, achievable tasks for your academics, your social life, and your well-being, like reviewing notes for ten minutes, sending one text to a new acquaintance, and stepping outside for five minutes of daylight, because consistently achieving these small wins builds momentum and provides a baseline sense of control even on days when a full schedule feels impossible. Prioritize scheduling your non-academic activities first—like a dedicated time for mental health appointments, exercise, or a dinner with friends—and then fit your studying around them, treating these social and self-care commitments with the same importance as your classes, which prevents the burnout that often causes motivation to disappear entirely. Remember that taking care of your whole self is a prerequisite for academic success, not a distraction from it, and you possess a powerful resilience that has already carried you through past struggles; I wish you the very best of luck as you navigate this new journey with such thoughtful preparation.
Destiny Hankerson
Athlete, Artist, and Writer
33
Answers
East Orange, New Jersey
Updated
Destiny’s Answer
Hi Jaycee,
This is a meaningful question, and I can relate to trying to balance a lot of different projects and commitments. I also understand it can be challenging to build your motivation when you go to college, and you face a brand new environment with more responsibilities. One helpful thing you can do is take time to rest and recover. You can do this by balancing your schedule and making sure you don't take on too many activities.
Another helpful tip is setting aside dedicated time for your social experiences and friendships. Sometimes we focus so much on school, we forget about balancing our studies with our social lives. I can relate to that myself! So, if you set aside time for your social activities and friendships, I think you'll do better because you have a plan to stay involved in your communities. Sometimes it's okay to take a break and have some time away from school, as long as you remain timely with your assignments and work.
I agree with Yoav that tiny and achievable tasks are a great motivator. Smaller goals are often easier to manage and accomplish, so be realistic with your tasks and celebrate the small wins!
Another thing that works for me is reminding myself of the good outcomes I'll have when I work towards a goal. When I think about how I'll be satisfied with the finished result, it motivates me to put in the work, and I'll be glad I did it afterward.
You're on the right track by asking these questions and finding ways to motivate yourself. I hope my answer was helpful for you, and make sure you take good care of yourself. I'm sure you'll do well in college with support and a plan!
This is a meaningful question, and I can relate to trying to balance a lot of different projects and commitments. I also understand it can be challenging to build your motivation when you go to college, and you face a brand new environment with more responsibilities. One helpful thing you can do is take time to rest and recover. You can do this by balancing your schedule and making sure you don't take on too many activities.
Another helpful tip is setting aside dedicated time for your social experiences and friendships. Sometimes we focus so much on school, we forget about balancing our studies with our social lives. I can relate to that myself! So, if you set aside time for your social activities and friendships, I think you'll do better because you have a plan to stay involved in your communities. Sometimes it's okay to take a break and have some time away from school, as long as you remain timely with your assignments and work.
I agree with Yoav that tiny and achievable tasks are a great motivator. Smaller goals are often easier to manage and accomplish, so be realistic with your tasks and celebrate the small wins!
Another thing that works for me is reminding myself of the good outcomes I'll have when I work towards a goal. When I think about how I'll be satisfied with the finished result, it motivates me to put in the work, and I'll be glad I did it afterward.
You're on the right track by asking these questions and finding ways to motivate yourself. I hope my answer was helpful for you, and make sure you take good care of yourself. I'm sure you'll do well in college with support and a plan!
Siva Kann
VP of Products & Technology
31
Answers
Cincinnati, Ohio
Updated
Siva’s Answer
Hello Jaycee,
Yoav already did a wonderful job outlining what you can do to stay motivated, especially with practical examples of small daily routines & protecting your mental health and social time. I want to add another layer to that advice by focusing on how motivation actually works.
Motivation is not one-size-fits-all. Some people are intrinsically motivated, they move forward because the work itself feels meaningful. Others rely more on external motivation, such as a structure, accountability, deadlines, visible progress or fear of failing. Neither is better or worse. The key is discovering which one you respond to and designing your habits around it.
Motivation is also not permanent. You need to work on it daily, especially during big transitions like college. The goal shouldn't be feeling motivated all the time, but to avoid falling into a rut by creating systems that keep you moving even on hard days.
Here are three things you can do:
- Create visual indicators of progress (checklists, habit trackers, calendars). Microsoft To-Do app is my savior.
- Define a minimum daily baseline so hard days still count as wins.
- Use external structure (clubs, study groups, routines).
Wish you the best!
- Siva
Yoav already did a wonderful job outlining what you can do to stay motivated, especially with practical examples of small daily routines & protecting your mental health and social time. I want to add another layer to that advice by focusing on how motivation actually works.
Motivation is not one-size-fits-all. Some people are intrinsically motivated, they move forward because the work itself feels meaningful. Others rely more on external motivation, such as a structure, accountability, deadlines, visible progress or fear of failing. Neither is better or worse. The key is discovering which one you respond to and designing your habits around it.
Motivation is also not permanent. You need to work on it daily, especially during big transitions like college. The goal shouldn't be feeling motivated all the time, but to avoid falling into a rut by creating systems that keep you moving even on hard days.
Here are three things you can do:
- Create visual indicators of progress (checklists, habit trackers, calendars). Microsoft To-Do app is my savior.
- Define a minimum daily baseline so hard days still count as wins.
- Use external structure (clubs, study groups, routines).
Wish you the best!
- Siva
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