By Heather West - Year 12, Tokomairiro High School
Have you ever thought of what motivates you to learn?
Our motivation for learning allows us to gain knowledge that we cherish and use to advance into the future.
One online forum user, Sol, says their motivation for learning foreign languages comes from their love of Japanese anime, metal music that is mainly in Germanic languages and because they believe linguistics and cultures are beautiful.
In particular, they would like to converse with Mexican people.
There are a variety of ways people motivate themselves or others to learn.
One method is by de-emphasising the importance of grades and developing interest in the topic studied.
A Vanderbilt University Centre for Teaching survey found grades were the primary focus for most undergraduate students, and as a secondary motive, students wished to grow more competent, prove themselves and avoid mistakes.
Students beyond freshman year also think it is the professor's responsibility to present and explain the content and make it appealing.
Most educators want to engage their students in the material, and teach students to self monitor their learning, and create an environment where students can be curious learners.
In fact, curiosity can lead to increased motivation, American clinical psychologist Todd Kashdan says. Curious people find pleasure in new experiences that give them a feeling of enrichment and purpose, making for long-lasting happiness.
Harvard University psychology professor Daniel Gilbert says surprises, experiences, challenges and unexpected learning opportunities evoke curiosity.
Visiting an exhibition, or taking a course can, in turn, give you a feeling of enrichment and satisfaction, and activate more endorphins in your brain.
Intrigued to find out how motivated my fellow pupils are, I created a survey.
Some said they become motivated by their interest in music; one said to become a smarter version of themselves in the future; and another said to get good results.
Another stated they wanted to learn to apply this knowledge at university; a couple of people said credits motivated them; and food was also a motivator.
A few pupils had mentioned being motivated by themselves.
Having a good teacher, receiving help, gaining success in the future, completing NCEA, and money were also considered frequent motivators.
In the future, we could adjust courses so courses are more practical for unmotivated students, but also for those who are already motivated, so they can put their studies to good use.
I have found that it does not hurt to have practical learning, as it helps me to retain and use what I have learned from the teachers, and is also a fun way of winding down after a test or internal.
We need to remember that creating smaller goals such as getting up or finishing a chore is motivation, even if this excludes study, because you are still completing tasks.
A percentage of pupils show me that they also recognise the importance of becoming a ''better version'' of themselves, and paving a way to a smarter and progressive future.
