What keeps students motivated?

We asked our Educators Rising students to tell us what keeps them motivated in school and what causes them to shut down.

A future focus

Aniah “Diamond” Coleman

Staying motivated in school can be pretty difficult, especially when you have to balance school, a sport, and a job. The main thing that keeps me motivated is my future. Knowing that everything I’m doing is to get me closer to my goals pushes me to keep going. While it is hard, I am very proud of myself and look forward to what the future holds.

Having to repeat the same routine can sometimes shut me down. I can become overstimulated and frustrated with my schedule, but reminding myself of my goals and changing up my daily routine can lift my spirits.

Aniah “Diamond” Coleman
12th grade
Ballard High School
Louisville, Kentucky

Having a goal

Brooke Hess

In school, I stay motivated by working toward a goal, whether that be getting an A in a class, doing well on a test, or finishing a project.

I shut down sometimes when I try to do too many things at once, which is why I make myself lots of checklists to not only keep myself on track, but also prevent myself from shutting down or getting into a slump.

Brooke Hess
12th grade
Sheboygan North High School
Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Working together

Sarah Steeves

Creative projects and group activities keep me motivated because it is a lot easier to do a fun assignment and collaborate with other people than it is to complete independent work silently. Independent work tends to make me shut down when it is a boring assignment or a subject I am not good at or interested in.

Sarah Steeves
12th grade
Appoquinimink High School
Middletown, Delaware

Focus on peers

I am motivated by seeing my peers succeed and being able to make a positive impact in the world around me. I am shut down by excessive amounts of work and seeing my peers struggle with mental health.

Calvin Plante
12th grade
Pinkerton Academy
Derry, New Hampshire