Campus Talks by Times Higher Education

Campus talks: How to unlock motivation and beat procrastination in your students and yourself

12 snips
Oct 2, 2025
Ian Taylor, a Reader in motivational science and author of 'Time Hacks,' and Helena Seli, Professor at USC Rossier School of Education and expert in educational psychology, discuss motivating students and overcoming procrastination. They emphasize the importance of intrinsic motivation, self-regulation, and the effectiveness of micro-goals. Taylor shares tips on managing time perceptions and preventing mid-course motivation slumps, while Seli highlights internal and external drivers of motivation. Both agree on using AI as a tool for personalized learning.
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INSIGHT

Help Students Discover Personal Value

  • Teachers should help students discover personal value in content rather than force it on them.
  • Making explicit how material solves problems or relates to their lives boosts motivation.
ADVICE

Create Unmissable In-Person Value

  • Add unique in-person value like debate or peer discussion that recordings don't provide.
  • Tell students explicitly which in-class activities enhance their learning so they choose to attend.
INSIGHT

Motivation Peaks Then Dips In The Middle

  • Motivation quality often starts high and then declines through the middle of a course or degree.
  • Focus effort on the mid-phase to prevent the natural drop caused by fatigue and routine.
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