Motivational Quotes from Writing Center Consultants!

It is no secret that getting through college is difficult. Many students must balance not only the stress of passing their classes, but also lining up opportunities for their future careers, working, exploring new aspects of their self-identity, and discovering all of the responsibilities of adulthood (Yay, taxes and maintaining a household!). 

All of these stressors and pressures can make it difficult to stay motivated, especially around midterms, finals, and the end of an academic year. Burnout is real, and I think a lot of us can identify with this feeling. 

As the end of the academic year speeds toward us, it is important to take time to build motivation, to reflect on your reasons for being in college, and to draw on inspiration from sources around you when you're feeling down. That is why in this blog post I have compiled a series of motivational quotes, slogans, and words of encouragement from our very own Coe Writing Center Consultants. 

Writing Center Consultants tend to be especially motivated and excellent students, as well as empathetic and open-minded. These traits come with a certain degree of conventional wisdom and understanding, which can be seen in the quotes submitted by the lovely staff from Coe's Writing Center. 

I hope that as you read, you soak up the good energy, positivity, and wisdom that our consultants at Coe exude. In addition to these quotes, there will be some peaceful landscape photos to enhance your reading experience. Hopefully these quotes will leave you feeling inspired, motivated, and energized in whatever way you need to tackle your goals and make it to the end of the semester!

"Memento mori" (Translated to: "remember you must die") -Socrates

The consultant who submitted this quote had this to say about how these words to guide them through the world and how this quote is personally motivating: "This reminds me the importance of living life to the fullest as we have no idea when our day will be the last. Death is absolute and because of this it's something I've been mentally accepting for quite some time now. This 'slogan' is so important to me I actually got it tattooed onto myself!"

 “Your self-worth is not measured by your productivity.” -Unknown 

The consultant who submitted this quote reflected on the meaning this motto has for them by saying: "I am someone who often feels guilty for taking breaks or “not doing enough.” I have this quote as a sticker on my computer and it always serves as a helpful reminder that I am ALWAYS doing enough ❤️"

"It doesn't need to be perfect, it just needs to be." -Unknown

The consultant who shared these words conveys how this quote has helped them in an academic setting by saying: "When it comes to my coursework, I try to put my best effort into making a good product. In the past, this has led me to becoming a perfectionist and feeling inadequate if I cannot fulfill my high expectations for my coursework. I use this slogan to remind myself that as long as I turn in something, or at least try to study for an upcoming exam, then I did the best I could considering my circumstances. A product, whether perfectly finished or somewhat unfinished, is better than no product."

"Fake it till you make it!" -Unknown

The consultant who uses this quote to guide them had this to say about the way this has impacted their life: "It sounds dumb, but if I can visualize myself earning that good grade and being that good student, and "fake" acting like that person I had visualized, I can almost always make it to my goals with that mindset of achievement."

"Just do it. Literally, suck it up and just do it."-Unknown

The consultant who submitted this quote feels that "Sometimes I just need some tough love, and I need someone to tell me to suck it up and do what I need to do. It usually snaps me out of my paralysis and gets me to actually do my work rather than just complaining about it."

“If you're not making someone else's life better, then you're wasting your time.” -Will Smith

Quotes can act as important reminders and motivators, which can be seen in the words of the consultant who submitted this quote when they had this to say: "It reminds me why I'm in school in the first place, of what I'm trying to do."

"There is no “right time” there is just time and what you choose to do with it." -Unknown

The consultant who submitted this quote describes how they use these words to release academic pressure by saying: "This quote helps me center myself and ease the pressure I put on myself especially in finals week. At the end of the day, I am on my own path and I can control what I can control."

"The only thing standing between you and your goal is the bullsh*t story you keep telling yourself as to why you can't achieve it."

-Jordan Belfort

The consultant who submitted this quote feels that: "this quote is incredibly accurate and reminds us of the power we have to accomplish whatever it is we desire. Our biggest problem is simply getting to work."

“You don’t need to see the whole staircase; just take the first step.”

-Unknown

"Success is the sum of small efforts." -Robert Collier

Many of these quotes and explanations from consultants convey a strong sense of agency, responsibility, and intrinsic motivation. Additionally, the theme of just getting to work, taking the first step, and not wasting time seems to appear in almost all of these quotes, which is an interesting phenomena that speaks to the spirit of the Writing Center and the staff who run it. 

Hopefully reading these quotes and experiencing the explanations from consultants as to why each of these strings of words holds meaning has inspired you just a little bit. You are capable, you are spectacular, and you can do anything you set your mind to!

P.S. Thank you to all of the consultants who submitted a quote and for explaining how they have impacted you! I would also like to give a shout out to my Dad for taking all of the photos showcased in this blog!