Dear Unmotivated Student,
As an instructor who just recently graduated from a master’s program I rolled directly into from an undergraduate degree, I know what you’re going through. I know the hardships that plague you, like getting dumped by your boyfriend and trying to work a job. Not only do I know the hardships, however, I can also see when you’re trying to pull the wool over my eyes.
Don’t get me wrong, the majority percentage of my students these last few semesters are hardworking and dedicated college students. Most of you actually sit down to study, complete your assignments on time, and take notes in class. I want you to know that I know who you are and I silently applaud you. Don’t think for a minute that your hard work goes unnoticed.
I can spot the tricks. I can spot the semi-blatant attempts to cover up your lack of motivation to succeed. Keep in mind here that I am not talking about the students who experience difficulties during the semester. I know that grandparents do die and sometimes you do need to miss class because you are sick. This is for you, the student who fails to try.
An instructor once told me that if you don’t try, you are only failing yourself. If you don’t get out of bed and go for a walk, you aren’t going to lose weight. If you don’t show up for work, you’re never going to get paid. The same rings true for college. If you do not find the motivation to want the education, you aren’t going to get it. You can summon all the excuses in the world. I’ve heard them all. The institution hasn’t failed you, the professor isn’t boring, and high school did prepare you for this.
If you find yourself using any of these excuses, let me fill you in on something. I want to help you and I most certainly want you to succeed. I most likely go home after work hoping that you’ll find the spark deep down inside of you that will ignite your passion. Don’t be afraid that I am going to judge you or look down on you, because that cannot be further from the truth.
If this is you, let me lay it all out for you now. First off, start by making sure you are in a program that is right for you. Too many times I have seen students fail because they are chasing a degree that doesn’t interest them, fails to challenge them, or allows them to follow in their parent’s footsteps. If your dream is to be a congressman, you need to rethink that biology degree. Once you find yourself waist deep in political theory, you’ll find that your motivation to learn is certain to increase.
Secondly, be up front with me. I actually keep track of how many emails I get from you claiming your grandmother died (if you sent me more than six in a semester, I start to get a little curious). I know that you are struggling with wanting to do the work and finding the drive to care about what I am teaching. Tell me. Be honest with me. I would rather hear your struggles to care more so than the incessant attempts to make the class laugh. I promise you that I will personally change the way I teach the class so that you might be better interested in the material. Let’s face it – you might not be alone in thinking that.
Finally, don’t fail yourself. I don’t want you to waste your time and rack up student debt over something like this. Talk to me, talk to an advisor, or talk to a counselor who can figure out why you are struggling to get motivated. You don’t need to rack up $50,000 in student loans only to stumble away with a degree that may not help you. All I can tell you is that there are resources out there for you and the only thing you need to do is reach out. Believe it or not, in ten years when I bump in to you at the supermarket, I’ll be thrilled to know that you found your passion and made it somewhere in life. I wish all my students the best in life, and that includes you.
All the best,
Your Professor
