How to Increase Student Motivation with a Mid-Semester Check-In.
Motivating your student to finish out the semester strong can feel challenging, especially if they are attending a College or University far away from you.
Psychologists break motivation down into two broad categories: intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Most classrooms are set up with extrinsic motivators such as a grading scale and instructor expectations.
Intrinsic motivators are related to the student’s own expectations. A good way to foster intrinsic motivation is to promote student autonomy. Students who feel ownership over their learning perform better and have greater satisfaction in their accomplishments. Plus, what they learn may “stick” with them, allowing them to perform better on the final exam.
We help our Academic Coaching students stay motivated throughout the semester with regularly scheduled check-ins. One of our favorite checkpoints is mid-semester.
Mid-semester is a critical time in the semester because it can be the difference between passing or failing a class.
Suggest your student take an honest look at their performance in each of their courses so far.
Questions to consider:
- What is going well for me?
- What is helping me learn?
- What is not going well for me?
- What is hindering my learning?
- What challenges have I encountered?
- Have I attended lectures/tutorials?
- What is my average time on various weekly tasks in each class? (reading, completing assignments, etc.)
Notice we start with what they are doing well.
Behavior Scientist, BJ Fogg states, “People change best by feeling good, not bad.”
People change best by feeling good, not bad.
B.J. Fogg
Having your student focus on what’s going well FIRST, can be a powerful way to motivate them. The questions above will help them see where they are already finding success. They might be surprised that with a few small tweaks, they can find success in the areas they are struggling with.
Here are our go-to strategies to help students prepare for the final weeks of the college semester:
📚 Review Class Notes
This will help them identify any areas where they may be struggling and need extra help.
📚 Set New Goals
These goals should be specific, measurable, and achievable. For example, your student may want to improve their grades in a specific course or complete a project by a certain date. Setting new goals will help them stay focused and motivated!
📚 Create a Study Schedule
A study schedule is a great way to help them stay organized and on track. Block out specific times each week for studying, completing assignments, and attending classes. Be sure to have them include breaks and time for self-care in their schedule to avoid burnout.
📚 Attend Office Hours
Don’t hesitate to attend office hours, especially if they’re struggling with a specific concept or assignment. Their professors and teaching assistants are there to help them succeed!
📚 Take Care of Themselves
Have your student get enough sleep, eat well, exercise, and take breaks when needed. Taking care of themselves will help them stay focused and motivated throughout the rest of the semester.
The final weeks of the college semester can be challenging, but it can also be a time for growth and success!
With positive encouragement from you and an honest mid-semester reflection, your student can map out a plan to finish the semester with confidence.
References:
https://medium.com/twosapp/tiny-habits-by-bj-fogg-f814a96bf875
