Revealing Your Why: Self-Motivation For Online Learning

Start With One Question to Find Your Why

Start by asking yourself, “Where do I feel I add the most value?” If that question feels too hard, try “What am I passionate about?” or “What excites me?” Your answers point to your self-motivation for online learning.

Your why is usually a mix of your feelings, beliefs, and experiences. Ask yourself what keeps you going, what makes you feel productive and valuable, and what matters most in your life right now. The honest answers form your why.

Your why matters because it acts as your anchor point. Most online students lose steam or feel discouraged partway through a program. Feeling this way is normal, and a clear why is what pushes you through it. Many students also pair their why with concrete targets, and SMART goals give your motivation a structure you can measure week to week.

What Does Your Why Mean?

Your why is the reason you enrolled in an online program, stated clearly enough that you can return to it on a bad day. If you have spoken with a CanScribe Admissions Representative, you have probably been asked about it already. Deborah Deschamps, one of our Admissions Representatives, puts it this way:

“Your ‘why’ is what drives you. When you are having a bad day, your ‘why’ keeps you going. During difficult chapters of the program, focus on your ‘why’ to keep you going.”

Once you discover your why, print a photo of it or place something that represents it in your study space. When the program gets harder and progress feels slow, that visible reminder does its job. A dedicated, personal study area helps too, and good study habits make your why easier to act on every day.

Examples of Self-Motivation From Real Online Students

The strongest why statements are personal and specific. Here are three examples from CanScribe Medical Transcription students. Your why should be unique to you and something you feel strongly about, or it may fail as your anchor when you need it most.

Kristy: Family, Finances, and Travel

Kristy built her why around her whole household:

“My family is the main reason why I am in this program. My girls: to provide for them, and allow them to enjoy extracurricular activities while still being able to stay at home with them during the day. Not having to put them in daycare, to be able to save money for their future like education, a house, travel, etc. My husband: to help take the financial stress off my husband, and be able to contribute to the household finances, save money and do more date nights! Me: to feel a sense of accomplishment as well as to learn something new. My in-laws: to be able to visit our family in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia more! Travel: my dad was a flight engineer, and I grew up traveling the world. I have so many more places I want to see.”

Trista: Proving Goals Are Within Reach

Trista keeps her why short and focused:

“My ‘WHY’ is my family, my husband and our daughter. I want to prove to my daughter that goals are always within reach as long as you are reaching out for it.”

Leslie: Caring for Her Son While Building a Career

Leslie’s why connects her life experience directly to her new career:

“My why is my son. He has a rare and terminal disease called Hunter Syndrome. I am unable to work out of the home due to his needs but I would still like to contribute to our household income. I have extensive experience with many different types of doctors as my son’s disease affects every part of his body. I am going to use the knowledge I have gained being a medical mom and the skills I learn from your program to make this new career possible. I will be able to contribute to our finances and give him the care he needs.”

Our online programs are challenging, and you might need help in some areas. Ask yourself the questions above and develop your own why before you begin. Remember that when you are struggling the most, you are learning the most, even if it does not feel like it. If motivation still dips mid-program, these practical tips keep up your motivation for online learning between milestones.

Your Why Is the First Step Toward Online Learning Success

Self-motivation for online learning is not optional, and your why is where it starts. Figure out what you feel strongly about, let that drive your motivation, and it becomes the anchor point that carries you to graduation. Nerves are normal at this stage, and hearing how graduates handled nerves about online training can settle yours.

If you have thought about enrolling in online schooling, you now know what a why is and why you need one before you start. When you are ready for the next step, our team can help. You can also start by reaching out with your questions. Our advisors will share information about a program that fits your goals.

While you decide which program is right for you, follow CanScribe for more tips and information. You can find us on Facebook. We also post on Linkedin. For behind-the-scenes content, check Instagram. Have fun discovering your self-motivation for online learning.