Academics, like the gym, come easier when prioritizing discipline
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I once associated discipline with desire. If I cared enough about getting stronger, I’d go to the gym. If I cared enough about good grades, I’d study. As I became more consistent academically, I realized that motivation has little to do with discipline.
Some days I don’t want to work out. I’m tired. I’m busy. I’d rather stay in bed or do something else. But there’s a difference between not wanting to do something and deciding not to do it. Going to the gym has taught me that discipline begins when motivation ends.
This lesson has carried over to other parts of my life, including academics.
When you first start going to the gym, it’s easy to expect immediate results. You may finish a workout, look in the mirror and expect a significant change. The only issue is that one workout doesn’t transform your body. Neither will the next. In fact, you likely won’t see results for a long time. Progress is invisible when you gauge it day by day.
Eventually, you’ll notice you’re able to lift more than you could a week or two ago.
Academics work the same way.
One night of studying or taking notes won’t change your GPA. One good essay won’t suddenly make you a better student, and one productive afternoon won’t free up an entire semester.
Academic success is built through many small decisions: going to class when it’s cold, starting an assignment before it becomes an emergency, studying even when the exam feels far away and doing the reading, especially when nobody is checking.
Motivation is temporary, but discipline is about commitment.Emmanuel Usiomwanta, Writer
Results aren’t always immediate, which makes discipline difficult.
College makes this even harder, because nobody is constantly reminding you what you have to do. At Syracuse University, there’s almost always something competing for your attention. There are friends, family, e-boards, clubs, jobs, events, internships and the overwhelming temptation to do nothing after a long six to eight hour day on campus.
When I first started taking the gym seriously, I realized how easy it was to make excuses that my dorm was too far or that I’d be too sore the following day. My discipline allows me to put aside these excuses and go regardless.
Similarly, without anyone standing over you, urging you to finish that reading or start that project, you must decide to do it yourself.
That is where the gym and academics have something in common — both require you to become comfortable with completing tasks you don’t always feel like doing.
Motivation is temporary, but discipline is about commitment.
Emmanuel Usiomwanta is a junior majoring in policy studies. He can be reached at eousiomw@syr.edu.
