Here at Langston University, courses are beginning to end a period of remote teaching. Even with the temporary halt of in-person interaction, the students at Langston University are still pushing forward with their academic opportunities, bringing forth the question of whether students are more motivated this year than the previous year. We have spoken to students who have shared their personal feelings on the matter.
Justin Berryhill, a first-semester sophomore, discussed his evolving motivations and academic focus. “That’s really was my motivator was just like trying to do well on my first year…not trying to get caught up in all everything that goes on over here,” Berryhill said. “Now it’s just continuing to make sure my grades are right…I’m more focused on…stuff that’ll help me in my career that I want to pursue.”
Initially driven by the desire to succeed in his first year, Berryhill is now more focused on career-related activities, considering a shift from psychical therapy to a different medical field. “It was psychical therapy. But lately, I’ve been thinking about…[a] different medical route.”
Langston University has faced facility issues, stemming from broken air conditioning causing high temperatures in buildings and water outages from different housing buildings. Berryhill wants to finish his education quickly so he can work to provide better educational opportunities for his future children.
“I said before, it was more about…having a good first year up here. Now it’s more,…I want to hurry up and do good and get out of here,” Berryhill said. “I don’t [want] my children…to come here, so they can go to a better school…That’s a long-term motivator. I’m looking up ahead in the future like that.”
This year, Langston University received a $3.5 million infrastructure investment, but Berryhill is skeptical around institutional change.
“From the alumni I’ve talked to, it’s been like this for years, so I really don’t hope for any type of change,” he said. Other students note the negatives, but also highlighted the positives.
Joshua Heck, a senior at Langston University, notices the pros and cons, acknowledging the pressure of personal goals for any graduating senior. “There is that kind of pressure as a senior to kind of graduate and just go after what you want”, Heck said. “But [at the] same time, you know you have been at school for a while, and you just start to feel the monotony behind all of it.”
Despite the challenges, Heck feels more motivated now compared to his junior year. “I think I’ve actually gotten some motivation,” Heck said. “Though I’m not sure anybody else would agree…but so I feel a lot more motivated than I did my junior year.”
Students such as Heck are working find opportunities for careers and internships through online assistance. “I think there are generally some good opportunities here at LinkedIn that kind of just get buried and muddled under all the mess that on the outside looking in that LinkedIn has.” Heck emphasizes the potential for other students to benefit from these opportunities if the issues are resolved.
Dr. Elizabeth Anne Albright, Chair and Assistant Professor of Psychology at Langston University explained her thoughts on whether the faculty obstacles will negatively impact the students’ motivation.
“Well, technically. Those kinds of things don’t really influence directly influence motivation. However, they do influence… [that] kind of the general feeling of well-being and positivity,” Albright said. She compared remote learning to the same practices during the time of the pandemic from 2020 to 2021. “One of the things that’s been noticed that in general, [is that] students since COVID have been less motivated… or less motivated and less academically oriented. I think that there’s more to that story,” Albright says. “I don’t think it’s as cut and dry. It does impact student morale, and that student morale…impacts that motivation aspect.”
Dr. Albright further describes the concept of grit, as students can persist even with difficulties. “I have recently… worked on a research study that…showed that there was an increased amount of resilience among students now in comparison to students a few years ago, and I largely think that’s because of the experience that you all have had in COVID,” Albright explained. “You’ve had to figure out a way to keep going, despite the fact that things have been difficult…you all have had to experience high school during covid, and now you are experiencing College in a Post-COVID era, because COVID hasn’t gone away.”
Albright encouraged students to stay focused on their goals, such as graduation and future careers, to minimize frustration and maintain motivation. Even with the sudden changes at Langston University, students are still determined to survive towards graduation, making an impact for themselves and for their families.
Joshua Thompson
Joshua Thompson is a sophomore English major, Broadcast Journalism minor
