I've been feeling in the slumps lately (is that grammatically correct?). I guess a semester is just too long for me! I'm used to quarter systems and even though I used to complain that they fly by so fast you hardly have an opportunity to learn anything, this semester pace is crawling by so slow it feels like it'll never end! A gross exaggeration, I know, but I've lost my motivation lately and am just constantly asking myself "What the heck are you doing?". I was afraid that this would happen, my gradual loss of full determination to complete my first semester back in school. I had a plan for it if it were to occur, which is to surround myself with lovely materials about how awesome and exciting engineering is once you get there. It works, sort of.
I met with an advisor at another university before I started this semester, and he warned me about the high turnover rate at the freshman/sophmore level for engineering. The reason according to him is that the first year - year and a half of engineering classes are all not directly related to engineering; they're your calculus(es), physics, chemistry. After 2 months into the semester...I can see why he might be right! But I knew all this before beginning, so it doesn't explain the sudden lack in motivation. I'm mentally attributing it to burnout but I think on a deeper level it's because I'm still constantly battling myself on whether I'm making the right decision. Usually going back to school vs. being on autopilot for a career path I don't particularly enjoy always comes out on top, and it still does, but it's slowly drawing out at an equilibrium which frightens me.
Anyway, there's just been a dark cloud hovering over my head this week which hopefully will clear up soon. I found a nice list for motivation whcih applies well for my situation.
1. Have a cause
2. Have a dream. A big dream.
3. Be hungry
4. Run your own race
This one I think is really good for me to keep in mind. While mindlessly browsing on Facebook or a site equivalent to that, I find myself getting slightly depressed when I see everyone from high school/college moving on to law school, masters and PhD programs. I often feel like I'm going backwards rather than forwards so this is good for me to just focus on myself and not compare with everyone else.
5. Take one more step
6. Let go of the past
This is also important for me to learn. All the memories from the past and negativity is still a great part of me which sometimes feeds into the negative thoughts I generate. This will probably take some time to overcome but I think it can happen.
List from http://www.lifeoptimizer.org/2008/10/22/self-motivation-how-to-motivate-yourself/
I met with an advisor at another university before I started this semester, and he warned me about the high turnover rate at the freshman/sophmore level for engineering. The reason according to him is that the first year - year and a half of engineering classes are all not directly related to engineering; they're your calculus(es), physics, chemistry. After 2 months into the semester...I can see why he might be right! But I knew all this before beginning, so it doesn't explain the sudden lack in motivation. I'm mentally attributing it to burnout but I think on a deeper level it's because I'm still constantly battling myself on whether I'm making the right decision. Usually going back to school vs. being on autopilot for a career path I don't particularly enjoy always comes out on top, and it still does, but it's slowly drawing out at an equilibrium which frightens me.
Anyway, there's just been a dark cloud hovering over my head this week which hopefully will clear up soon. I found a nice list for motivation whcih applies well for my situation.
1. Have a cause
2. Have a dream. A big dream.
3. Be hungry
4. Run your own race
This one I think is really good for me to keep in mind. While mindlessly browsing on Facebook or a site equivalent to that, I find myself getting slightly depressed when I see everyone from high school/college moving on to law school, masters and PhD programs. I often feel like I'm going backwards rather than forwards so this is good for me to just focus on myself and not compare with everyone else.
5. Take one more step
6. Let go of the past
This is also important for me to learn. All the memories from the past and negativity is still a great part of me which sometimes feeds into the negative thoughts I generate. This will probably take some time to overcome but I think it can happen.
List from http://www.lifeoptimizer.org/2008/10/22/self-motivation-how-to-motivate-yourself/
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2 comments:
Hang in there, Jennifer! I can definitely understand how you're feeling. I think it's easy to lose motivation when you're in this stage of school. For me, I find that it tends to be partially because I feel so "un-trained" or in such a raw state as any sort of engineering professional. It's easy to get down on yourself when you're struggling and then begin to doubt whether or not you're doing the right thing.
Keep reminding yourself that this too with pass and you shall conquer engineering!
Thanks for the encouragement! I guess that's why we're going to school, to be 'trained properly' ha. We can do this!
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