My ridiculously ambitious goal

[KittenHawk]

Hi everybody. This is my first post. I'm a 20 year old sophomore in college and I'm having serious motivation issues.
In high school, I was valedictorian, did lab research, was super-involved, won a full ride to my school (a top-10 university)-- yes, that kid.
But I got here and seemed to lose my drive. I didn't become a party animal or anything like that, but just wasted a lot of time, content with getting a few B's, and got really caught up in looking good and impressing guys. I know this doesn't sound terrible. It's just that I find myself always resenting the work I have to do, even though I find the subjects interesting.
I want to have the same drive and self-discipline I had in high school. I've been thinking about why I used to be so motivated, and realized it was because I was totally focused on winning a scholarship for college-- the only way it would be financially possible for me. This really ambitious goal spurred me on. But now that I'm here, I don't have that anymore.
The dream I once had was of becoming a Rhodes scholar. I let that slide. But I want to pick it up again. I think it's what I need to motivate me. Even if I don't get it-- it can still inspire me, right? Is this too ambitious? What do I do next?

[SatvikBeri]

Originally Posted by KittenHawk

Hi everybody. This is my first post. I'm a 20 year old sophomore in college and I'm having serious motivation issues.
In high school, I was valedictorian, did lab research, was super-involved, won a full ride to my school (a top-10 university)-- yes, that kid.
But I got here and seemed to lose my drive. I didn't become a party animal or anything like that, but just wasted a lot of time, content with getting a few B's, and got really caught up in looking good and impressing guys. I know this doesn't sound terrible. It's just that I find myself always resenting the work I have to do, even though I find the subjects interesting.
I want to have the same drive and self-discipline I had in high school. I've been thinking about why I used to be so motivated, and realized it was because I was totally focused on winning a scholarship for college-- the only way it would be financially possible for me. This really ambitious goal spurred me on. But now that I'm here, I don't have that anymore.
The dream I once had was of becoming a Rhodes scholar. I let that slide. But I want to pick it up again. I think it's what I need to motivate me. Even if I don't get it-- it can still inspire me, right? Is this too ambitious? What do I do next?

You're the only one who understands what motivates you. If that's becoming a Rhodes scholar, go for it. You can do it.

For specific tactics on becoming a Rhodes Scholar, read the Study Hacks blog. Here's a start: Study Hacks Blog Archive The Secret Your Neighborhood Rhodes Scholar Doesn't Want You To Know

[Manomanman]

Originally Posted by KittenHawk

It's just that I find myself always resenting the work I have to do, even though I find the subjects interesting.
I want to have the same drive and self-discipline I had in high school. I've been thinking about why I used to be so motivated, and realized it was because I was totally focused on winning a scholarship for college-- the only way it would be financially possible for me. This really ambitious goal spurred me on. But now that I'm here, I don't have that anymore.

Kitten,

You're going to love following my blog. I just dropped out of graduate school. I have written articles that articulate exactly what you're going through.

It sounds like you aren't passionate anymore. It's up to you to determine whether dropping out is the best path. It was for me, and I wrote a blog post about how much better I feel now.

[Hulbert Lee]

I think you should go for it. Just because you got into a good college doesn't mean it ends there. That's just the beginning. I'm assuming you got into a good college not just for the sake of getting into a good college, but also to find a good job after you graduate right?

You still have a lot of time to figure out what you want to do, but like I said before, if you're initial decision was to become a Rhodes scholar, you shouldn't let a couple of B's discourage you from doing so. Keep your dream alive. You were a valedictorian. You're obviously a bright stupid and have that competitive nature inside of you. You just have to find it again, let it spark, and take action to get to your goal.

[openeyes]

Originally Posted by KittenHawk

In high school, I was valedictorian, did lab research, was super-involved, won a full ride to my school (a top-10 university)-- yes, that kid.
But I got here and seemed to lose my drive. I didn't become a party animal or anything like that, but just wasted a lot of time, content with getting a few B's,

My experience was similar: #1 in class, full ride scholarship, arrived in college and just faltered for a while. What might be worth considering is taking a gap year, going off for an adventure/doing something related to your field of interest and coming back with a renewed sense of purpose. Some schools such as Harvard actively encourage this route: Office of International Programs, Faculty of Arts & Sciences, Harvard University >

Coordinate it with your school and you can likely have the scholarship still waiting for you when you get back (had I known this at first I'd have felt more confident taking time off myself).