1. Keep the Momentum Going: Staying Motivated MidWeek 10 Seminar Series First Year Success

2. Things ARE going to happen Expect set-backs and when they happen, re- direct and renew your energy toward your goals. Don’t give up. Use the power of positive thinking and believe in yourself. Overcome discouragement.

3. no Learn to say no to options and distractions that deter you from your goal. Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal. Post reminders and inspirational quotes in prominent places about what you want to achieve.

4. Get professional help and support to overcome physical and mental roadblocks and to bolster your efforts, no matter how small they may seem. MSU Denver’s Counseling Center: 303-556-3132 http://www.msudenver.edu/counsel/

5. Campus Reaction: http://www.msudenver.edu/campusrec/ http://www.msudenver.edu/campusrec/ Practice extreme self care. Good health is essential to positive thinking and feeling, which will take you a long way toward achieving your goals. Establish routine and regular exercise; meditation, prayer or yoga, even if it is only 15 minutes a day to start. This will help you cultivate discipline.

6. Where Am I? Are you feeling the stress of juggling your coursework, family friends, work/volunteering, etc.? http://college.cengage.com/collegesuccess/04958 97434_downing/index.html

7. Goals Provide Direction in Your Life & Nurture Your Motivation Goals are like a road map; they get you from one point to another. Goals provide the direction you need to reach your destination, the motivation to sustain you on your trip, and a way to measure your progress.

8. What if? Or What would happen if? Make the questions a positive affirmation of what you will do! Prioritize your goals first. Then plan backwards in time and outline the steps it will take for you to arrive at that future destination.

9. Make your list very specific and realistic. You want to be successful in reaching your goals, but at the same time, these goals should challenge you. At the end of each day reward yourself and strengthen your resolve for tomorrow.

10. Focus on High-Impact Activities The key to success in school is staying focused on your course work. Make a list to get an overall picture of your workload before you start to tackle any of it. Then, make a plan.

11. Find a Social Support Network Create a group of people around you who want to help you succeed. Mentors- give you guidance and help you develop new skills. Counselors- help you with planning your courses Friends & Peers- motivate you by listening and sharing ideas.

12. Acknowledge Your Accomplishments Give yourself a quick reward when you complete an assignment or task. Take a walk, send an e-mail, get a snack- whatever works for you. Then move on to the next project.