<p>When I was in high school, my goal was to get into college. That was the reason why I tried at all. I wasn't the brightest student or had the best grades, but I was content because I gave it my best. But now that I'm in college, ... now what?? I find myself not trying as hard and being rather apatethic about it all. It's like I don't have a goal to aim for. I don't know what I want to major in, I don't know what I am going to do after I graduate... there's nothing motivating me. Have any of you felt like this when you first entered college? How did you deal with it?</p>
<p>You really need to decide on a major or at least some kind of end goal then. Until then, you just simply won't be motivated. Think about what you've always wanted to do (career wise) or at least talk to a career counselor (if they have those there) there about your situation. They deal with several students that have the same issue. Luckily I decided on a major before I started college and still have the same major 3 years later. I suppose it's tough for a lot of students simply because of the issue of motivation.</p>
<p>what you feel now isn't uncommon. For one thing, people can build up college to be the end-all and find out that once they get there nobody told them that they could be confused, or lonely, on anxious about classes, etc. They've heard about the great things but nobody said there could be a flip side, too.</p>
<p>And the task you face (choosing major, career, etc) can seem overwhelming. How do you choose, and how do you know you're making the right choice? But you're hardly the first student to wonder these things! The first thing is to realize you don't need to decide the final answers today, this week, this month, or even this year. While that can take some of the pressure off, don't go all the way to the other extreme and forget about them entirely!</p>
<p>What many people find overwhelming is that this is the first time in their life they've faced prolonged periods of uncertainty combined with responsibility. In HS you either knew you were heading for college, or that you weren't. There was a period when you had to choose the schools where you'd apply but that choice too was often constrained by finances, your scores, etc. Waiting for acceptances could be nerve wracking but it was out of your hands.</p>
<p>Now you face a length of time where you need to make important decisions, and the burden is on your shoulders. I don't think the issue is mainly that of motivation, its more anxiety and worry. The good news is that there's steps you can take. First, as mentioned before, you don't need to decide anything right away. What you do need to do is chip away at the task, taking steps to figure things out. So lay out a plan to do that. </p>
<p>At most schools you don't need to pick a major until the end of soph year. Make sure you take a wide survey of courses until then so that you are exposed to many areas. As for career, chip away at that too. Go to the career center and take interest tests, talk to counselors, attend presentations they have about various careers, talk to alums, get internships. You have 4 years to figure it out, and its like eating an elephant. Hard to do at 1 sitting but easy if you spread it out over a few years. </p>
<p>Lastly look at the situation of your personal life; are you making friends, taking part in activities, having fun? If not, figure out ways to address that as well. Colleges have counselors who are used to dealing with students who may feel overwhelmed by all the changes taking place, and there's no shame in talking to an experienced guide who can help you sort things out and help you figure out the right track.</p>
<p>merit money</p>
<p>dude, that is happening to me too. I could care less about my classes while in high school I would try my best to get all A's. ok, so where are we going next? graduate school? that's a good goal. but to me, it still seems sooooooooo far away. I didn't take my freshman year in high school lightly, and still got an A. back then I wasn't worrying about colleges. now in college, freshman year is chaotic, and carefree-dejvu. but I know that I HAVE to do well now to get into graduate school.</p>
<p>You just need some fighting spirit. Play Rocky music.</p>
<p>For me, it's just midterms. When midterms are coming up, I set my goal to get an A on that midterm. And I do whatever work it takes to get that A. It's worked for the last 3 midterms. And after the midterm, I sit on my ass and watch Family Guy and movies and do as little as possible. And when the next midterm comes, I get back into fighting mode. Just take it one step at a time. You don't need a life plan now. But you do want to get good grades so that when you do come up with a plan, there won't be anything to deter you.</p>
<p>If you play sports, that's the best thing to liken it to. I think of tennis. When you play tennis, you take it one point at a time. When a tennis player is playing a tournament, they focus on the match at hand, not the next one or the one after. One point at a time, one game at a time, one set at a time...</p>