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+--- Thread: TIP: using sticky notes for motivation (/Thread-TIP-using-sticky-notes-for-motivation)
TIP: using sticky notes for motivation - tesu-acct-student - 02-25-2016
Hi all,
I thought I'd share a unique way I use sticky notes to keep me motivated and on track to finishing my degree. I am an older student who began college right out of high school, then dropped out about half way through sophomore year. Long story there. Fast forward to about six years ago when I decided to try to finish my degree. I started and stopped a few times--was undergoing a divorce. TIP: don't try to finish your degree during dramatically stressful times. It only adds to the stress! And don't stop once you start, since when you start again you almost certainly will not be able to use the same catalog, which means requirements will be different, which means you may lose credits...
Anyway...
I am really a visual learner and kept struggling with how I couldn't visualize how my credits fit into my degree. One day I decided to do something about it. I used one of those large, self-stick wall pads to map out the different sections of my degree. Then I took small, yellow sticky notes and wrote on them the names of all the courses I had completed so far. Next I took small, orange sticky notes and wrote on them all the courses I still need. Then placed them in the areas on the large wall pad where they belong. As I complete a course, I remove the orange sticky note and replace it with a yellow one.
I REALLY like this system as it helps me see what is going on, where I have been, and where I need to go. And it is super gratifying to remove an orange sticky note and replace it with a yellow one. Here's what it looks like now:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]1691[/ATTACH]
It's a little bit of work to setup. But for me it's been worth it, since I find it so motivating on a daily basis. I've completed four courses since doing it. I work full time so it's a bit of a challenge but still do-able. If you are a visual person like me, give it a try and see if you like it. If you do, consider posting a picture of it here. I'd love to see what yours looks like.
Take care and best of luck to everybody to finish their degrees!
TIP: using sticky notes for motivation - l8989v - 02-25-2016
This is amazing tip! I might do something similar! Just started out and sometimes it feels like such a long road ahead and maybe when I see a sticky note being replaced, it could really be motivating!
Thanks for sharing!
TIP: using sticky notes for motivation - passit1 - 02-25-2016
It's like a value stream map for a degree!
TIP: using sticky notes for motivation - KayV - 02-26-2016
What a great tip! If you are short on space, you could use a manila file folder and mini sticky notes to plan the same way (this is how I do seating charts as a teacher).