How/Why do you stay motivated?

<p>Recently I had some time off from school and I did a lot of thinking about wanting to get into an Ivy League school, getting into honors/AP classes, etc. It all seems kinda pointless to me now. I've been thinking like this: I want to do good in HS so that I get into a "good" college....and I want to get into a good college because...because...what's the point? </p>

<p>Everyday I wake up tired and I have no idea why I care so much about school to stay up until 1 working </p>

<p>Have you ever felt this way? Like you're wasting your time?</p>

<p>How: no freakin clue
Why: Harvard</p>

<p>Harvard....so what? I think you missed what I was saying. What's so great about that college in MA that is worth all this grief? The bragging rights? Is that all?</p>

<p>I actually want to learn something. I don't study to get into my "dream college." </p>

<p>Of course, I don't want to forsake those subjects I don't enjoy either, so I'm not going to allow myself to get any grade below what I'm capable of earning.</p>

<p>(Learning shouldn't be grievous.)</p>

<p>i'm with u there, OP :/
all this [AP] torture won't even matter in 20 years.</p>

<p>Why: Pride.</p>

<p>No bragging rights for me but it's the college itself that i feel in love with. The professeurs, the students, this motivation every person has inside this institution is what i love. Most students that get in are in complete shock that they even got in and the main reason they got in is because they have pride and have confidenece in what they do and this motivation that they can do the impossible. There are also some other personal reasons that i'm not going to mention.</p>

<p>lol well that's my 'why harvard' speech.</p>

<p>But for you, you might feel wasted because you don't know what you're aiming for. Why do you wake up each morning and go to school? why take AP classes? Obviously, these are the answers you're looking for but nobody can give you those answers. Its you that has to find out the answers.</p>

<p>Aero: I don't entirely study to get into my dream college either but like hillary, i also do it for pride and like you, i don't want to be in a class filled with idiots</p>

<p>Why do I stay motivated? Isn't that asking what the motivation is for my motivation? Kind of a circular question.</p>

<p>I love to learn. I find learning new things fascinating, and every time I add a bit of knowledge to my repertoire it feels like I've accomplished something huge.</p>

<p>How do I stay motivated? Make learning fun. Tell myself that I enjoy what I'm doing. And most of the time I do.</p>

<p>
[quote]
I want to do good in HS so that I get into a "good" college....and I want to get into a good college because...because...what's the point?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Well, I'll let you answer that question. Stop doing well in high school and don't go to college - then see where you end up.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Why: Harvard

[/quote]
</p>

<p>OP's right, you completely missed the picture. The Ivies shouldn't be your goal. Your goal should be to do well in life and be happy, and well, if the path to get there takes you through Harvard, then so be it. But it seems to me like you want to go to Harvard just so that you can show all your little friends how smart you are. Totally wrong mindset.</p>

<p>Meh. It's not that I don't want to learn. Schools just teach a lot that isn't worth learning. If I could I'd only learn about History, Languages, and Biology. </p>

<p>But doing that wouldn't get me anywhere in life. But going the overachiever route doesn't seem like a better option.</p>

<p>Secret Asian Man: nobody in my school knows i'm even applying to harvard. And since i'm not a senior, my counselors don't know either. But read this once more:</p>

<p>I don't entirely study to get into my dream college either but like hillary, i also do it for pride and like you, i don't want to be in a class filled with idiots </p>

<p>The last part about being in class filled with idiots is the main reason</p>

<p>Who:my ego
How:my ego
thats in short. MY ego/ pride/ rights to be arrogant and cocky.</p>

<p>Haha. are you serious toaster?</p>

<p>hahaha not really, though being a jack aS S and cocky like crazy is always fun to do lol.
to be honest college was never really in my mind much until junior year 2nd sem.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Aero: I don't entirely study to get into my dream college either but like hillary, i also do it for pride and like you, i don't want to be in a class filled with idiots

[/quote]
</p>

<p>My post wasn't directed at you; sorry if I offended. But what I meant was that there are too many people whose entire high school academic careers revolve around getting into "that school." People who cheat to get the higher grade, join clubs to seem more active, and poison students to get that coveted rank, for example. </p>

<p>I don't think the average over-achieving student knows how to use his or her intellect.</p>

<p>How: I think of the future I want really badly and I work hard to get there.</p>

<p>Why?: Because I don't like my current life right now and I want happiness</p>

<p>
[quote]
i don't want to be in a class filled with idiots

[/quote]

It seems that the choice is between idiots and overachievers. You won't find a college full of lazy geniuses.</p>

<p>How: By thinking of a future that is bad
Why: Money</p>

<p>If you say you don't fit the above 2 reasons, you are a LIAR.</p>

<p>I guess I am a liar.
Seriously, as long as I live in the USA I won't be dying of hunger any time soon. Money just seems so irrelevant.</p>

<p>
[quote]
If you say you don't fit the above 2 reasons, you are a LIAR.

[/quote]

What a load of BS, though it may be true of you (it's fun to know someone else's motivations). Top colleges are full of people trying to get into academia. If they were interesting in making money, this simply wouldn't be the case. Some people really are just interested in knowledge and being surrounded by others that feel the same way.</p>