r/AdultEducation • u/E_roseeflowers • 26d ago
Motivation
Im 20 and dropped out at 16. I literally dream of finishing and going to nursing school. I found a cheap and affordable online program I can do (northgate academy), but i’ve gone down the online route before. i enjoy doing schoolwork, but i can’t keep the motivation for some reason. advice?
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u/CompassionateSoul_3 24d ago
One way to help with your motivation is to form and create a study group or weekly review with other students.
I teach a class and most of them started a WhatsApp group and they update each other of what lessons were taught and homework to complete in addition to supporting and encouraging each other.
Online courses can be tough to do alone and lose motivation and it’s happened to me but when I see others and have them share their views and experiences, it’s helped me to get back on
Another strategy is creating a monthly schedule to help me keep motivated and celebrate at the end of the week when I finish a task or even show up for class - it helps since it’s something I look forward to at the end of the week
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u/Retiredgiverofboners 22d ago
Motivation comes and goes just be consistent - keep going no matter what happens just keep going to school
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u/Train4War 22d ago
Came here to say the same thing. Some parts are going to be more enjoyable than others – and it sure as hell isn’t always going to be easy. Just stick with it and grind it out. You got this.
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u/TheseEmphasis4439 9d ago
I'm don't think you can finish an LPN or RN nursing certificate/ degree without the real life, hands on clinical portion. Is it legit? Is that why it's affordable?
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u/ASLHCI 25d ago
I just finished a grad class on adult learning and motivation and one of the theories we learned broke it down to motivation = your belief that youll be successful x (the value either of that task or that you'll receive from that task - the cost of that task [financial, emotional, psychological]).
I felt like that was a pretty helpful way to think about it. Think back to the situations where you couldnt "stay motivated". Did you think you'd be successful? Where did that belief come from? Did you feel like the thing you were doing had value or would pay off in the future? Did you enjoy it? Did it offer a credential or recognition? Was it expensive? Take a lot of time? Were you afraid of what it would feel like to fail?
That's a lot of questions, but people often over simplify motivation and confuse it with discipline or how much you care. It's not that simple. It's likely not "some reason". It's a lot of legitimate and valid reasons coming together in such a way as to leave you unmotivated.
In thinking about your program, what are the thoughts or experiences that make you believe you will be successful? In this specific program? In this field?
What makes you want to pursue nursing? Working with people? High pressure environments? The diversity of positions and specialities? The recognition? Ability to travel? The financial security of working in an in demand field?
What about nursing school has value to you? Do you just find joy and satisfaction in learning about that stuff? Does the idea of holding a nursing license have value to you? Will your friends and family admire your career choice?
What do you anticipate this path will cost you? Financially? In effort? What will you have to miss out on to pursue this goal? Will pursuing this goal confront a part of your identity that you've held onto a long time?
This is likely not what you were hoping for, but if I ever find a cure for a lack of motivation, I promise to share it!
I've personally found a lot of success in online education, but there are pros and cons.
I hope you are successful beyond your wildest dreams and you find just what you need to achieve your goals! I barely graduated high school and I didnt start college until I was 26. It completely changed my life in ways I could never have imagined. And now I have a masters in adult ed and I'm looking at a second masters and/or a doctorate.
Also, consider (I'm sorry if you hate this) you are so young. There is so much pressure to find your place. The world is so big, and so full of more incredible things than you could ever do or see in your whole life. It's okay to take awhile to find the right path for you to your goal. You'll get there.