How to Stay Motivated

Tips for Staying Motivated in Cybersecurity as an Online Student

• Celebrate Small Wins

Learning online can feel overwhelming, so break your goals into smaller milestones. Completing a TryHackMe room or finally understanding subnetting? Celebrate it! Treat yourself to something small, like your favorite caffeinated drink—it’s a double win: a celebration and a little boost to keep you going.

• Inspire Yourself
  

  Switch up your environment and let the energy of a knowledge-rich atmosphere fuel your motivation. Visit your local library, where the quiet hum of learning can inspire your desire to succeed. On the way there, listen to a motivational podcast to set the tone for your study session. Sometimes, a simple change of scenery can work wonders for your focus and drive.

   

• Take 10 Minutes for Yourself
  Sometimes, the challenges of learning something new can feel overwhelming, and that’s okay. Allow yourself 10 minutes to process—whether it’s freaking out, crying, or taking a quick break. After that, commit to moving forward. Let it be a moment of release, not defeat. Progress happens when we keep pushing, even after tough moments.

• Mix Up Your Learning Methods
  To stay engaged, diversify how you approach a topic. Read a book, watch a YouTube tutorial, or dive into hands-on platforms like TryHackMe. By combining different methods, you'll not only keep things interesting but also reinforce your understanding from multiple angles.

• Study with a Buddy (or a Virtual One)

Having someone to study with can make a world of difference—it keeps you motivated and accountable. If you don’t have a friend to join you, no problem! There are YouTube videos of people studying, complete with calming backgrounds and Pomodoro clocks to help you stay on track. It’s like having a virtual study buddy cheering you on!

• Keep Your "Why" in Mind
  When the road feels tough, it’s easy to lose sight of why you started. That’s when I find it helpful to ground myself by reconnecting with my vision. Sometimes I’ll make a list of reasons why I chose this path—like my love for problem-solving, the dream of building a meaningful career, or my curiosity about how technology shapes the world. Other times, I’ll create a Pinterest board filled with images that reflect what I want my life to look like—an elegant workspace, a diploma I’m proud of, or even places I’d love to visit one day. These visual reminders help me refocus and reignite my motivation.