Sure, everyone is excited and energetic during his or her first freshman semester. But, as the semesters start to blend together and the workload gets heavier, you’re going to find it difficult to muster up motivation. It’s a natural part of the higher academic cycle, and there are certainly ways to beat the lack of excitement and interest in your major as you progress through college.

For starters, you’re going to need to challenge yourself in a way that’s stimulating and enticing to you. If you’re someone that needs intense classwork to really feel challenged in an academic setting, we recommend selecting a more intense major like Biological Studies or Engineering. If you’re someone more interested in extracurricular challenges like perfecting your public speaking capabilities, we recommend joining the Debate Team, the Model UN Team, or any other clubs that can satisfy this need for you.

Next, you need to be realistic and set attainable goals. Everyone wants to make the Dean’s List every semester, but for a lot of people, this isn’t necessarily a reality. If you’re a decent student that struggles to earn an A, make an attainable goal for yourself to achieve two Bs and two As each semester. If you’re someone that struggles with high workloads, try and stay away from majors that are going to make your academic goals a total nightmare.

Lastly, find a social support network that is going to be there for you through your college challenges. Whether that’s a sport’s team, a Greek life fraternity, or a political club that is in tune with your interests, you’re going to need support for achieving your goals and staying motivated the whole time. The best part about college is: it’s a time for you to discover yourself and make friends you’ll keep with you long after you graduate.