Nontraditional Students, fight burnout, and find your motivation.

Photo by Nahum Tevet on Wikimedia

What is burnout all about? 

In my opinion, most of us feel that when we have tried and tried for a long time, or focused on a project and used all our energy on it for some time, we can become tired of it, or lack inspiration to go on.

We become "burned out" and need some time to regroup. Some quit what they  been doing forever. You may feel that college or going back to school is not for you, that it is too hard, or takes too much out of you. Classes may not be going as you wish, or you feel burdened by all the work you are doing.

Are you experiencing burnout? Have you experienced it before?

Some nontraditional students change majors when they feel like they are burnt out. Perhaps this would help some people. Others drop out... which I hope is not an option for you, if you are going back to school right now.

Tips to prevent burnout

Sometimes taking a short break can help. Not quitting or not going to class, maybe a mini-vacation or just taking more time for relaxation could be the ticket for you.

Here are some other ideas too:

1. Spread out your assignments, so you don't have to cram or write for a week straight when doing a report. It will be less taxing to you if you use your calendar and do short bits of work at a time. This goes for studying for tests too.

2. Take time for yourself every week. Relax some, try meditation or going to see a movie.

3. Keep a journal - write about your feelings and what is going on in your life. This can reduce stress.

4. Cut down on stimulants like coffee, and cut down on sugar too.

5. Eat healthy foods, lots of vegetables, less saturated fat, more lean meats (if you eat meat), and try to eat less if you have a weight problem.

6. Exercise - some schools have reduced-fee classes or exercise equipment students can use.

7. Write a Pro and Con List Are you considering a change? Want to decrease your work hours or find a different job? Try a simple Pro and Con list. You may find some reasons to make a change that you have not thought of before.

8. Talk to somebody - counselors and advisors at school are often free. Why not take advantage of that? A problem shared is on its way to being solved.

A Motivation Page

The Motivation page on the Nontraditional Student site could be helpful. Here is that link:
http://www.nontradstudents.com/inspire_motivate.html

I hope you like it!
 
Have another way to fight burnout and increase your motivation? List it as a comment. I would really like to include more next posting.

Some Nontrad links: The Nontrad site and blog Join Nontrads on Facebook Nontrads on Yahoo Nontrads on Twitter

The Ten Most Popular Nontrad Blog Postings for October 2012

Here they are - the ten most popular blog postings ever - - for this blog.

They are in order of popularity.

I hope you like them!

#1. Finding Scholarships and Grants for School

#2. Final Project Excitement: Are you Excited??

#3. The Big List of Nontrad Sites - Version C

#4. Nontraditional Students - are you stuck in a sandwich?

#5. Ten Advantages of Face-to-Face Classes

#6. Introduction to Law School for Nontraditional Students - a guest posting by Michelle Fabio.

#7. Online vs. Face-to-Face Classes: which are better?

#8. Nontraditional Students in the Dorm - Really?

#9. Motivational Quotes from the Student Doctor Network

and
#10. Ten Inspiring Nontraditional Student blogs.

I will have to do this again in 6 months or so. Have a great week!

Betsyanne

Some Nontrad links: The Nontrad site and blog

Join Nontrads on Facebook

Nontrads on Yahoo

Nontrads on Twitter

Motivational quotes from the Student Doctor Network

I really like these motivational quotes. It's true that sometimes everyone needs a hand up and some motivational sayings really can help.

I found a great page today which is a real gold mine at the Student Doctor Network discussion boards. People there share their own favorite motivational quotes on the page that is called "A Dose of Nontrad Motivation (Quotes)". One is "Desiderata-Max Ehrmann 1927" which has a lot more verses than I remember. You may also remember the first part of this beautiful and inspiring poem.

Here are just a few of the quotes shared. You can go to the Student Doctor Network Discussion board page <"A Dose of Nontrad Motivation (Quotes)"> to read the rest.

" 'Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'press on' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race. -- Calvin Coolidge' "

" 'Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall." ~Confucius' "

“ 'When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.'” --Erma Bombeck' "

 There are also some videos there about failure that are extremely motivating to the poster. Here is one about Lincoln and other famous people who have failed in life. You will be surprised who is listed here. (thanks, PreMedical...)



So.. how is school going? Are you seeing the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel? Share, friend, share, by commenting at the end of this blog.

Sincerely and nontraditionally yours,
Betsyanne
Former and current nontraditional student
from Kentucky

Some more of my Nontrad links: The Nontrad site and blog
Join Nontrads on Facebook
Nontrads on Yahoo and
Nontrads on Twitter

A woman graduates college after 40 semesters - wow!

Hi fellow nontraditional students and those that help them.

I saw a wonderful article today I wanted to share. It's all about a woman who never gave up. She kept on "keeping on," and advises others to do that too.

This story, by Liz Goodwin, explains how Kathy Vitzthum is graduating from Ohio State after "40 long semesters of course work."

Wow. Read here story here: Woman graduates college after 40 semesters. I think this is such an uplifting and inspirational story.

Here's a quote, too, from the story. Kathy says, "It was absolutely scary" for her. Her advice? "You're just going to have to face your fears and don't be afraid to do it."

I love her attitude!

You CAN do it!

Some Nontrad links: The Nontrad site and blog Join Nontrads on Facebook Nontrads on Yahoo Nontrads on Twitter

Be your own Cheerleader...

Photo by fhsfootball@morguefile.com

Just for Nontrads:
How to be your own cheerleader
#1. Write down at least five things you do well or do well at school. Refer to these things every time you need to. Put the list somewhere you can look at it whenever you doubt yourself. A friend can help you with this list if you can't think of many things.

#2. Think positively. Use the Glass Half Full option. Make a choice to look at things from a good viewpoint if you can. This option can make it easier to be positive.

#3. Join a cheerleading group, like the Yahoo Nontrads. You can talk to other nontraditional students there, talk about things, and feel better.

#4. Take advantage of online help. There are some great sites to help you be your own cheerleader. Join these sites to give yourself a better self-image. (see the end of this blog for sites to try out).

#5. Reward yourself for studies, reports, quizzes, or tests done right. This could be a trip to the park, a hike, a new outfit, a new pen - - whatever you want.

#6. Be organized - keep things in the right place so you don't waste time. A good cheerleader always knows where the outfit is, and practices the routine. Make a homework schedule. Write down when classes are, and never miss.

Pretty soon, you'll be patting yourself on the back for saving loads of time, and keeping up with everything your teachers want you to do. This will increase your self-esteem.

#7. When you are stressed out, try meditating or having some quiet time. Remind yourself of what you are going back to school to accomplish. Keep in mind that everything will not be so stressful later on, when you have completed your studies.

#8. Also remember that as a nontraditional student, you have to deal with many other things in your life than other students. Keeping up in school is something you can be doubly proud of. You deserve kudos.

And here are some other things you can do to be your own cheerleader:

Buy yourself a ribbon or a prize statue for being back in school. Display it!

Start a Nontrads group at your school.

Post your grades every semester - put them up on the wall in plain view. If you make Dean's List, make sure your local newspaper knows, too.

Smile - even when you don't feel like it. Cheerleaders know that if you keep smiling, eventually you will feel better.

Go Nontrads!
_________

Helpful websites:
The Nontraditional Student Website
The Nontraditional Student Yahoo Group
The Nontrad site Motivation Page
Positive Thinking Radio
Get Organized with Joe Landsberger