As mid-semester approaches, Keene State students shared their thoughts on how they stay motivated in their classes during this time of year.
“What keeps me motivated is counting down the days until I get to relax on break. My brain typically stays on vacation-mode throughout the year, so that’s what keeps me sane,” shared sophomore Nolan McGrath.
“Sleep and taking naps, I wish I were kidding,” said first-year Tilde Bystrom. “If I don’t get roughly nine hours of sleep almost every night, or if I don’t have a nap at least three times a week, then I am not motivated. I won’t even pretend that I am.”
Some students shared that their technique for staying motivated is going to the gym.
Junior Brynn Rautiola said, “The gym is essential to motivation. In my opinion, it’s definitely good to go now that the middle of semester is here and midterms and such are coming up.”
Sophomore Ruby Dasaro added on to Rautiola’s sentence, saying, “I agree. Being active reduces stress and helps me stay motivated and improve academically. I also just keep reminding myself that break is close by as well, and all the work I’ve done will be worth it when I get to relax.”
Another KSC athlete who asked that her name be withheld agreed with Rautiola and Dasaro. “My motivation is seeing my teammates, who I consider my friends,” she said. “Typically, we like to go to the gym and do homework together a couple times a week.”
On the other hand, some students shared that what motivates them is “not really much but going out [to bars].”
“I am not going to sugarcoat anything,” said senior Jake Kwityn. “I am motivated to buy myself a drink at the bar. Especially with midterms ahead of me, I see it as I am rewarding myself.”
“I agree with [Kwityn]. Don’t get me wrong, I set time limits and I study specific amounts each week and such, but having fun is motivation,” said senior Hope Lauben. “It shouldn’t always have to be school; going to the bars with my friends is a nice change of scenery.”
“As my senior year wraps up and I am preparing for midterms, I am going to say going out is what keeps me motivated,” senior Evan Cali said. “I need a good academic and social life balance and that is one of my motivations, another one being baseball. Enjoying time with friends is something I want to soak up in the next 75 days, or however much time is left before commencement.”
Tamy Jacques can be contacted at
tjacques@kscequinox.com
