Do you find the courses in your subject interesting? Do you think that the contents taught in your subject are relevant? Do you enjoy studying at the university? What makes you study? Is your study motivation high or perhaps non-existent?

As people, we often consider that we either have or do not have motivation to do something, and that there is hardly anything that can be done about motivation. When looking at motivation in slightly more detail, it is apparent that it can vary a lot according to situations, tasks or time. It is also not unheard of for a person to get enthusiastic about something they have never shown any interest in before. On the other hand, sometimes it also happens that a person loses his or her motivation, and something they have previously found highly exciting becomes boring to them. What influences motivation? And can you influence motivation?

Motivation is strongly influenced by how much background information you have on a topic. It is difficult to be excited about something you know nothing about! On the other hand, long-term interest and highly developed expertise often lead to increasingly in-depth efforts with the same topic and make the person interested in more and more new details. Therefore, it is worth giving new things a change also in studies, even though, as we all know, it may seem difficult at first.

• You should first spend, for instance, a month getting familiar with a subject that you are not particularly enthusiastic about before deciding on whether you find it interesting or not.
• You will probably get far more interested in the teaching if you prepare for classes and already have an idea, for example what is going to be discussed during the lecture.

Your personal values also have major impact on motivation. What is meaningful, important and valuable for you in life? What you are willing to make a lot of effort for: A good standard of living, an international career, family, progress in technology, new innovations or perhaps more sustainable development? How is your current study related to the matters that are important to you?

• One way for building motivation involves listing your values and matters that are important to you on a piece of paper and considering course by course how each of them can take you closer to the things you find meaningful. Nearly every course can help you find a perspective or a component that helps you move towards your personal goals – and perhaps you can focus your study on that issue.
• Of course, it may sometimes be that a course appears to have no personal value at all but the student has to force himself or herself to take it from start to finish. When it comes to an individual course, you may take the easy way out with as little effort as possible, but if you have to force yourself to your entire studies, it might be time to check your personal values and think about what you would like to spend your time on.

The third important component of motivation is enjoyment, feeling good and having fun studying. Many enjoy studying on its own; realising and understanding things and coming up with something new. Some enjoy studying with others, while others prefer lectures and participating in practical exercises. For some students, good academic performance and excellent grades are the main source of satisfaction. Some get their kicks on seeing their credits in the study register and knowing that they are close to graduating and entering the labour market. Joy of study can arise from a number of things. What is important is to recognise what you personally enjoy and make your studies look like you. This ensures that you have enough strength to make an effort and strain yourself even when the topic is difficult or boring.

• Think about what you enjoy about studying, what gives you satisfaction. And then try to shape studying to look like you. If you get bored during lectures, go to a library or start a study group where participants teach things to each other.

A number of issues external to studying can also affect motivation. For example, your own or a loved one's disease may drain you and finding enthusiasm to study may become difficult. Separating from a partner and falling greatly in love may cause such emotional turbulence that studies will feel almost like nothing for half a year. For many people, the time of day may also affect alertness and thus also motivation. One person is enthusiastic in the morning, but will no longer be able to concentrate in the afternoon. Another is inspired to study at the peaceful hours of the night.

Indeed, self-knowledge and respect for one's life situation are important for regulating motivation.