By Alex Gustafson

Time often seems to move quickly, and the pace expected for completing projects or goals can diminish the time we have available to congratulate ourselves. This is especially true as graduation approaches for some, and the end of the school year for all. I believe it is important to genuinely reflect on our experiences and take time to appreciate what we do in order to maintain our perspective, our motivation, and ultimately the quality of our work.

Reflection, “involves the conscious consideration and analysis of beliefs and actions for the purpose of learning. Reflection gives the brain an opportunity to pause amidst the chaos, untangle and sort through observations and experiences, consider multiple possible interpretations, and create meaning”; and can benefit our overall happiness and work performance. We are always trying to be more; to seem more capable or maybe just to fulfill expectations. For a brief moment, pause. Pause all of those ambitions to just congratulate yourself on where you are today.

Below are some reflections from my time in graduate school and the tips I would give myself to remain motivated. My hope is that a few will resonate with you.

Stay Excited

Whatever excites you, stay focused on that. Take classes, build relationships and attend events that will help you engage with that topic. Academic work can lack obvious progress-markers and it’s easy to lose perspective on the potential contributions our work will make; all of these feelings were cited as a main driver behind depression while in graduate school. Volunteering at the Seattle Aquarium keeps me excited about conservation and outreach. When I go there I surround myself with equally passionate people and childlike wonder that keeps my enthusiasm fresh and alive.

Strive for Balance

Keep the non-school version of yourself alive; use your personal thrills and favorite activities to bolster your dedication to school. Don’t give up your volunteer hours, the little hobbies you do in your pajamas or your weekend getaways; keep your personal pleasures a balanced part of your life. Don’t deny yourself happiness in pursuit of success.

Give yourself credit, unapologetically and constantly

You are your biggest advocate so don’t hold yourself back: strive to make your internal conversations positive and supportive. Mayo Clinic suggests taking a phrase like “it’s too complicated” and instead thinking “I’ll tackle it from another angle” along with other tips on shifting from negative to positive thinking. I also believe that celebrating every victory, regardless of size is important.

Remember that no one expects you to know everything

Let someone know when you have questions and don’t understand. If you feel inferior for asking a question or ashamed for needing clarification again, disregard those self-assessments. You are doing your best and clarifying things will help you in the long run. Often times these feeling of inadequacy, fear of imperfection or simply low self-worth are signs of imposter syndrome, a mindset that is very prevalent amongst students in academia, even faculty and others outside of a university.

Strive for Boldness

Always be bold. With your ideas, your speech, and your confidence. There is always more that can be done to any project. Declare when you are satisfied and at that point be nothing other than proud; because you did it. Then celebrate others as much as you celebrate yourself.

There are some statements I try to remind myself of daily: to be true to my enthusiasm and passion, remember my strengths and why I am capable of growing from my weakness, and finally, to be proud of everything I put my name on. These are important affirmations as my graduate career comes to a close and I begin moving towards my professional ambitions; however, these motivational tricks remain relevant for anyone working towards a goal.

Take some time today to pause and give yourself a little credit. You deserve it.