How to stay motivated despite unforeseen obstacles.

1. Staying the Course: How to Stay Motivated Despite
Unforeseen Obstacles

2. Maximize Your Student Planner
Record important dates/assignments
• Course syllabus
- www.devryu.net
• Work and home obligations
- Work deadlines
- Your family’s schedule
- Important appointments
What trends do you notice as a student?
• Assignments are due every days
• You’re BUSY!
Don’t take your lighter weeks for granted
• Anticipate what’s to come & plan accordingly
• Take some time to recharge your batteries and do
something you truly enjoy 2

3. Example of a student’s week
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
February 8, 2010 February 9, 2010 February 10, 2010 February 11, 2010 February 12, 2010 February 13, 2010 February 14, 2010
8:00a 8:00a Mom’s 8:00a 8:00a 8:00a 8:00a 8:00a
bday
9:00a 9:00a 9:00a 9:00a 9:00a 9:00a 9:00a
10:00a 10:00a 10:00a 10:00a 10:00a 10:00a 10:00a
11:00a 11:00a 11:00a 11:00a 11:00a 11:00a 11:00a
Noon Noon Noon Noon ENGL Noon Noon Noon
quiz
due
1:00p 1:00p 1:00p 1:00p 1:00p 1:00p 1:00p
2:00p 2:00p 2:00p 2:00p 2:00p 2:00p 2:00p
COMP
3:00p 3:00p 3:00p 3:00p 3:00p 3:00p 3:00p
4:00p 4:00p 4:00p 4:00p 4:00p 4:00p 4:00p
5:00p 5:00p 5:00p 5:00p 5:00p Submit 5:00p 5:00p
Valentine’s Dinner
time card
6:00p 6:00p 6:00p 6:00p 6:00p 6:00p 6:00p
ENGL
7:00p 7:00p 7:00p 7:00p 7:00p 7:00p 7:00p
8:00p 8:00p 8:00p 8:00p 8:00p 8:00p 8:00p
9:00p 9:00p 9:00p 9:00p 9:00p 9:00p 9:00p Movie @ AMC
3
10:00p 10:00p 10:00p 10:00p 10:00p 10:00p 10:00p

4. #1 Detractor
• PROCRASTINATION!
- How does time management differ from High School to
College?
- Identify YOUR distractions and ways to overcome them
• TV
• Cleaning
• Eating
• Shopping
• Video games
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5. How to Stay Motivated
• “Never, never, never give up!” Winston Churchill
• Be patient with the process. Nothing
worthwhile is ever easy.
• Be persistent.
• Keep your eye on the prize. Why are you
here; What are you ultimately trying to
accomplish?
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6. How to Stay Motivated
• Tell someone. Have them keep you
accountable.
• Remain positive.
• Strike a balance. Work vs. Play.
• Prioritize. Tackle the “Must do’s first.”
• Relax and enjoy the experience. 6

7. Letter to Self Exercise
• Take a minute to reflect on the events that
lead you to where you are today, and what
actions you plan to take to get you to where
you ultimately want to go. Save this letter
someone and reflect on it at the start of every
semester. Hopefully your short-term goals
will have been achieved and your long-term
plans are heading in the right direction.
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