New Year, (Hopefully) Renewed Motivation
Start writing a post
Student Life

New Year, (Hopefully) Renewed Motivation

Rediscovering the drive to make the next 7 semesters even better than my first one.

25
New Year, (Hopefully) Renewed Motivation
YouTube

You all know the feeling-as soon as the final seconds of the Online-Stopwatch timer tick down during your last exam of the semester, no matter how you think you performed on the previous exams, no matter how many questions you left blank on this one, you can't help but savor the sweet taste of freedom. The shackles of parental expectations that bound you to your desk, forcing you to study day in and day out, have finally broken. Free after a week of hell. Free at last.

Again, as you all know, the initial excitement of finishing finals carries into the holiday break, inevitably leading to extreme bouts of laziness and lack of motivation to do...well, anything really. No doubt we deserve to be couch potatoes for a few days, especially after a grueling finals week. This becomes a problem, however, when that state of mind threatens to entrap us- not just throughout the holidays, but during the next semester as well. College breaks are meant to allow us to relax, regroup, recharge, and return with a fresh body and mind. I, for one, have instead seen these three weeks as an excuse to sleep for ten hours a day, even if I don't need it. I haven't exercised once since I came back, I haven't picked up a single pencil, and the most visited site on my laptop has been-you guessed it-Netflix. How do I rediscover that initial burst of motivation coming into the fall semester, when I have been so blatantly unproductive at home?

I've found that deriving inspiration and purpose from the small things can make all the difference. One of the highlights of my break has been meeting up with old friends, catching each other up on our college lives and just hanging out as if we were back in high school. I really missed them because I haven't yet found friends in college who I can have effortless conversations with, who I have inside jokes with. It was refreshing to see so many familiar faces, and it reminded me that I do have the capability to connect with people. I have great friends at home, and I am looking forward to being proactive and making great friends in college, because I miss that level of interaction.

Spending time with my parents has been a blessing as well. They're the reason I have made it thus far, and although I set high standards for myself, I want to succeed for them too. Part of my motivation stems from the fact that my parents wholeheartedly believe in what I can accomplish, and that has gone a long way in making sure I hit the ground running in 2017.

Simple pastimes, such as reading and playing videogames, have also bolstered my positive attitude towards returning to Penn. Rather than feeling disconcerted that I won't be able to crush zombie heads in Resident Evil 4 until March, or that I won't have as much leisure time to get lost in George R.R. Martin's fantasy world(opportunity cost is too high), I enjoy every hour I spend relaxing here. They are both luxuries, and knowing that I will always have home to come back to after a stressful semester pushes me to perform better, because I have to work to get rewarded.

Half the battle in life is to continually be inspired, motivated, driven to do more, no matter how many previous achievements or failures you've experienced. In college, where success is built upon initiative, this ideology is more important than ever. Fine, you'll get the work done in a designated time frame, but the quality of the work will improve tenfold if you want to do it, if you're passionate about it. So go back to college ready to learn and engage in your interests, and acquire that passion through the small, seemingly inconsequential things.

Because although everyone around you seems to be smarter, faster, healthier, and better in every other way, there is one thing they can't take away from you; your ambition.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

49855
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

31789
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

955313
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

180494
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments