Motivation and Learning Strategies for College Success : A Self-management Approach

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UNDERSTANDING MOTIVATION 67

that his goal orientation is influenced by the value he placed on dif-

ferent courses. What factors influence your goal orientations?

Student Reflections

For years, my goal in all my classes has been to achieve a certain

grade. The grade differed from class to class depending on my

confidence for success in the course. This strategy has been my plan

changed, and I rarely participate in class just for the simple pleasure

of learning. I enjoy a class once a discussion begins, but I usually

prefer to be somewhere else. I am performance rather than mastery

driven. I do not care to learn anything for the sake of learning.

Schoolwork is just a means to an end: graduation and a degree.

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Learning how to understand my own motivation has helped my self-

management in school. Every class is different, and I have learned to

take its importance into consideration. Some classes are simply for

utility purposes—a means to an end. In these classes, I set goals for

myself based on performing at a level equal to or better than my peers.

I possibly can. These classes are exciting, and I am strictly mastery

oriented. By seeing my classes for what they are, I can set goals

suitable for their purpose. Each one is different, and as I achieve in

each class, my confidence is maintained because of the goals I set.

Whenever I begin to feel discouraged with a low grade on an exam

of attack since elementary school. Unfortunately, my goals have never

However, in my major courses, I am concerned with learning all that

or paper in a class that I don’t value, I remind myself of my goal for

the course. In this way, I don’t get down on myself.

Your goal orientation in a particular course can greatly impact

your motivation, even before you ever open a textbook or take your

first lecture notes. Analyze your goal orientation in each of the classes

you are currently taking. Do you have the same goal orientation in

all of your classes? Do you think you exhibit both orientations in

some classes? Do you find that your learning behavior differs depend-

ing on your goal orientation? Also, think about a hobby or particu-

lar interest you have. How long can you persist on the task before

getting tired or bored? How is your behavior related to your goal

orientation?

Do I Believe I Can Do Well on Different Academic Tasks? Values and goals

determine students’ reasons for engaging in different tasks. Another