Student success is often thought about in terms of grades, GPAs, and graduation rates. But there's a powerful, often overlooked factor that underpins all of it: motivation. It's the engine that drives a student's desire to learn, persist through challenges, and achieve their goals.
Motivation isn't a singular trait that a person either has or doesn't. It's a complex mix of internal and external forces. Intrinsic motivation is the drive to do something because you genuinely find it interesting and enjoyable. It's the student who stays up late reading about a topic because they're curious, not because it's a requirement.
On the other hand, extrinsic motivation is fuelled by external rewards or pressures, like the desire for a good grade, a degree, or a prestigious job. While both can be effective, research shows that a culture focused on intrinsic motivation is far more powerful and sustainable.
Why institutional support for motivation is essential
Today, the university landscape presents unique challenges to this inner drive. Mental health challenges such as anxiety, and neurological diagnoses such as ADHD, can make it hard to focus and complete assignments.
Plus, the rise of The New Majority learner means a large proportion of students face external pressures, like financial difficulties or family obligations which creates significant barriers to engagement.
The reality of disengaged, unmotivated students is bleak, fuelling what we term The Disengagement Cycle. As students face barriers to success without support, they internalize their struggles as personal failings and gradually withdraw from active participation in classes.
Research shows that motivation is one of the strongest predictors of academic performance, with studies demonstrating a positive correlation between motivational factors and college outcomes like GPA and retention.
Beyond individual achievement, a campus culture that actively supports student well-being and a sense of belonging can have a significant impact on an institution’s overall reputation, retention and success.
In short, motivation is a shared responsibility, not a solo mission. It requires a holistic, multi-level approach, where faculty, students, and institutions all have a role to play in creating a truly motivational ecosystem.
Actionable strategies to support student motivation
For faculty and educators: Creating a motivating classroom
Course structure and interactions with students can profoundly impact their motivation. These strategies are rooted in Self-Determination Theory, which argues that people are most motivated when they feel a sense of autonomy, competence, and relatedness.
- Foster autonomy: Give students choices wherever possible. This could mean offering multiple versions of an assignment or allowing students to choose a topic for a final project. This simple act gives students a sense of ownership over their learning and significantly increases their intrinsic motivation.
- Enhance competence: The goal is to make students feel capable of succeeding. To do this, provide clear and transparent grading criteria and use frequent, low-stakes assignments like short quizzes.
- Build relationships: A student's connection to their peers and professors is a powerful motivator. Foster a positive and supportive learning environment and use collaborative learning activities to build a sense of community and accountability.
For students: Self management as a tool
Motivation can be nurtured from within by developing a set of self-management skills.
- Set clear goals: It's hard to stay motivated without a sense of purpose. Try setting SMART goals. Break down large, intimidating tasks, like a research paper, into smaller, more manageable sub-tasks. This makes the work feel less daunting and helps build positive momentum.
- Master your time: Tools like the Pomodoro Technique can make a huge difference. By breaking study sessions into 25-minute focused intervals with short breaks, you can maintain focus and avoid burnout. You can also use the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize your workload by categorizing tasks as urgent, important, or both, ensuring you focus on what truly matters.
- Prioritize well-being: Your physical and mental health are the foundation of your motivation. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and taking breaks to avoid burnout. Seeking professional help from a counsellor or therapist is also a powerful act of self-care and a strategy for success.
For institutions and student success: Creating a supportive ecosystem
University administrators and support staff can empower faculty and students with the right resources.
- Leverage technology: Digital tools can be a game changer. Student engagement platforms can create virtual communities to combat loneliness and provide real time, personalized feedback. Learning tools such as Genio Notes which improve accessibility and engagement with course material help build a sense of achievement after classes. Even gamification, the use of game elements like points and badges, can make learning more interactive and enjoyable.
- Provide structural support: Ensure students have access to counselling and mental health services, as these factors are often the biggest obstacles to student engagement. Creating a welcoming and inclusive culture for all students to reinforce a sense of belonging is a key component of motivation.
By taking an integrated, multi-level approach, universities can move beyond simply addressing demotivation and instead create a proactive culture where every student is empowered to learn, grow, and thrive.
