--Original published at Loretta Gabrielle
I picked Elizabethtown College because it had social work, which was the major which I desired in the start of my academic career. Now I have added business which solidifies my reasoning to pick Elizabethtown college. Most colleges will not let you major in two intensive tracks where Etown didn’t really make the decision, I did. Currently, I feel my motivation slipping away. I think it has to do with how hard I have been working the entire summer. Additionally, in comparison to my other class, I have to put more work here to see less of a result. I need psychology and statistic (my two summer courses) in order to move on and stay on track with my academic career. Part of my envision for that is getting straight A’s (no A-) for my summer classes so I can graduate with the highest honors. This is normally always my motivation for every class, how I can get an A. My expectations are currently met halfway and I must continue if I want my desired outcome. This idea has continued so much so I have nightmares about getting an A-. I find that I have heightened motivation after coffee and after I receive positive reinforcement which is normally reflected in my grade and or during a normal class setting. In order to continue my work ethic and get over this hump along with the following which will continue until graduation, I understand the importance of balance. I know balance is something I struggle with as I take on a lot of responsibility in order to fill each part of my life: academic, financial, sleep, and social. I have very little social but continuously out academics and financial necessities ahead. I know something I enjoy doing is traveling and if I don’t have something to look forward to (a trip) I will burn out. I also know the only way for me to succeed is by taking breaks and attending to each part of my life. I have been working for roughly 10 weeks straight and my body is finally catching up to the constant working. As much as I wish motivation was a stable force, I hope to find it in the little things which happen throughout the week and parts of the weekend. I also think motivation comes in waves and there is always a second wave. I feel as though I may be at the end of mine soon and I am waiting for the second wave. For now, I proofread and work ahead so the lacking part of my motivation at the moment doesn’t show in my work. How I plan to cause an intervention: plan a trip for thanksgiving (thailand) and look for the small moments in my day: morning coffee, lunch, dismissal, finishing homework early, going to sleep before 11, and being able to hang out with my parents. My smaller interventions will change but my larger ones of traveling will remain the same as it gives me a point to look forward to to when I can relax. I recognize that my problem now is that I haven’t given myself a set point to when I can relax in an extended period of time which is what I hope to work on.