Computer Science Major Discusses Learning How to Navigate Motivation in College

Motivation and I have always had a complicated relationship. If motivation were a person, it would be that friend who shows up with a lot of energy and insists that we do all the work that we need to get done, and then disappears, without warning for three weeks. Annoying, right? I used to think that something was wrong with me because I found it hard to stay motivated. But the more I experience college life, the more I realize that motivation is not a constant state – it’s like a visitor. Comes and goes. It drops in, gives you a little boost, and then, at times, leaves you alone without completing your long to-do list.

For the longest time, I assumed that motivation was like magic – if you had it, everything felt easy, from writing a paper to cleaning your room to starting a project you’ve been avoiding for weeks. When I didn’t feel motivated, I thought that it meant I was lazy or not serious about my goals, especially because every now and then I’d wake up feeling extremely productive. On those rare days, I’d make lists, reorganize everything, and promise myself that I would stay in this mindset for as long as possible. However, that mindset didn’t last forever. At times, it didn’t even make it to the next morning.

Eventually, I started paying more attention to when I felt motivated. Some days, I would feel inspired by the smallest things – a quote I saw on Pinterest, a good grade, and a clean workspace. Other days, even the idea of opening my laptop felt like lifting a car with my bare hands. It took me a long time to understand this, but motivation isn’t meant to last, and it’s not built for long-term consistency. It’s more like a spark – warm, helpful, and exciting – but not always enough to keep the fire going.

The change happened when I stopped chasing motivation and started paying more attention. I began noticing when it showed up and what makes it disappear. The first thing I realized was that motivation shows up most when you’ve already taken a small step forward. I always thought that I needed motivation to start something, but, actually, it works the other way around. When I push myself to begin, motivation follows. Even if I tell myself, “I only have to work for five minutes,” those small starts create movement, and movement is what attracts motivation. Sitting still and waiting for motivation to strike is like waiting for a shooting star – the odds are not in your favor.

The second thing I learned is that motivation disappears when I am feeling overwhelmed. When I am starting a large assignment, with a long week ahead of me, my brain goes into avoidance mode. Instead of starting, I doom scroll and procrastinate. Instead of doing what I need to do, I find something else to do. It’s not because I’m not motivated – it's because I’m scared of the size of the task. That’s how I learned it’s best to break things down. I stopped telling myself that I had to finish everything in one go, and I stopped expecting myself to be like a robot. Instead, I started making little commitments like reading one page or writing two paragraphs. Once I removed all that pressure by breaking things down into smaller pieces, the motivation slowly came back, and I have found it funny how much easier life becomes when you stop trying to do everything all at once.

The third thing I learned is that motivation grows in environments that support your goals as well as who you surround yourself with. When my room is clean, and I’m not running on zero sleep, I am more likely to be motivated throughout my days. However, when I’m exhausted, stressed, or surrounded by chaos, motivation becomes non-existent. I had to learn how to create habits that invite motivation, such as keeping my space organized, planning my week ahead of time, and giving myself time to breathe. I used to feel guilty for resting but quickly realized that rest isn’t a reward – it's fuel. Without it, our bodies won’t be able to function properly. When I’m well rested, I naturally feel more motivated.

Another big lesson I learned in my relationship with motivation is that discipline is the key to success. Yes, motivation is the driving factor, but discipline is what actually gets you through the days when you’d rather do anything else other than your work. I used to think that discipline meant being harsh with myself, but discipline is actually a promise I keep to myself, even when I don’t feel like it.

Honestly, the biggest lesson came when I stopped seeing motivation as something I needed to start. When I feel motivated to complete a task, I do it. When it doesn’t show up, I do it anyways. Discipline. I’ve also learned to be kind to myself. Some days, we will feel mentally drained or emotionally tired and just want to take a break. And that’s okay. Motivation is not a measure of your worth or ambition. It’s a feeling that comes and goes. What matters is how you move past it.

My relationship with motivation is not perfect. It probably never will be. But now I understand it. I know when to lean into it and when to give myself a break. I now know how to create habits that will keep me going even when I am not motivated. And most importantly, I know that I don’t have to allow motivation to dictate my life. I can be messy, tired, or unsure of what to do. What matters is those small steps I take that lead me to the end goal.

Motivation will come and go, but we just need to learn how to keep going anyway.