Making learning an intrinistic motivation

Test Preparation AP Test Preparation
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>A phenomenon that is increasingly plaguing my high school years is the distortion of learning (I am sure many people probably feel this way). The studying (mostly cramming) only has one main purpose the grade - which is for one main purpose - getting into college. It makes complete sense why this is the case. After all at the end of the day - the results on the paper whether it be the AP score or grade on your transcript ultimately matter. </p>

<p>The main problem with that theory of mind (at least for me) it is corrupting my studying patterns. To put it simply, it is making it ineffective. This is especially true for AP classes - where the sheer amount of information is immense. I have many things going on at once (like many people), so I am unable to devote much time as I would like to some of my classes. At times procrastination is involved. When results come back and if it is not high as I idealized hope (my ideal plan is always too extreme) - I feel guilty for not being productive enough. This is a distressing process because I am afraid of feeling guilty. Meaning the guilty is becoming a distorted extrinsic motivation to study, but ends up causing more stress.</p>

<p>So I viewed the root of the problem was that learning / studying was a extrinsic motivation - the main motivation was the grade to get into college. I thought if I can somehow make it a intrinsic motivation - to learn for the sake to learn so to say - it might make my learning experience much more effective now and in the future (and certainly make it much more satisfying). Does anyone have any insight on how I can accomplish this? Or perhaps share their own methods of learning / studying? In psychology, I did learn about operant conditioning - so would it be possible to perhaps condition myself by slowly phasing out rewards to intrinsically become inclined to study and learn for the sake rather for the reward? But the reward in this case is the grade? So would I first need to replace the reward with something I have more control over (let's say food or videogames?)</p>

<p>What I said might be very confusing - but hopefully it makes sense enough for someone to answer.</p>

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<p>These are the thoughts of every future successful high school and then college graduate. However, i not only lack the intrinsic motivation to learn my disdain with it its evident in my relationships with my teachers. </p>

<p>You explained how there is an immense amount of cramming involved in studying especially for your AP and higher leveled courses. At my school this is not the case. </p>

<p>i’ve never spent more then an hour at home on APUSH homework last year. I got a 4. This year i haven’t read one book in AP lang & comp. and i have a 95 in the class. (class average is 75)</p>

<p>I haven’t done a honors history homework assignment at home. I do it on the bus ride to school. I’ve done this all semester. </p>

<p>Take solace in the fact that you have the hours of material and studying to do. I wish i did.</p>

<p>Rank 10. 4.65 GPA</p>

3

<p>make sure to keep the end goal in mind!</p>

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<p>What I always did - and keep in mind that this worked for me, but might not work for others - was to use the material we were covering or going to cover in the future as a motivation. Mathematics, science, history, literature, etc. are all intrinsically satisfying. Just focus on the material. Get the BS busywork out of the way, and instead really enjoy what you’re learning.</p>

<p>It shouldn’t be hard to make it fun to learn about topics from Bernini’s David to Amp</p>