What about students’ motivation to study?

Did you know this?

Motivation is an important and determining factor in achieving your goals. Every student has a mix of different reasons that motivate them to study. The strength of your motivation to start a task varies from one moment to the next and depends on several factors.

The ideal motivation profile combines a high degree of enthusiasm to study with a low level of pressure to do so. The more autonomous, connected and competent you feel during your studies, the higher your motivation, enthusiasm and drive.

The overall figures for motivation are quite positive:

  • In general, students indicate that they are motivated, although there are differences in the type of motivation;
  • One in two students 51% report high autonomous motivation and 46% moderate autonomous motivation.
  • However, just over half of students also experience moderate controlled motivation 57%, and 15% experience high controlled motivation. In addition, 21% show signs of moderate demotivation and 2% show signs of high demotivation.

Person-centred analyses made it possible to examine combinations of these different motivation types.

In terms of motivation profiles, there are three groups of students. In particular, the ‘poor quality/demotivation’ group 25% requires extra attention. Students in Group 3 are predominantly demotivated. If they are motivated, it is mainly due to feelings of pressure.

Conclusions

  • The overall figures for motivation are quite positive: autonomous motivation prevails;
  • Still, half (51%) report a moderate level and 15% report a high level of controlled motivation, and about 21% show signs of moderate or high demotivation;
  • In terms of motivation profiles, there are three groups of students. In particular, the ‘poor quality/demotivation’ group requires extra attention;
  • Older students show a better-adapted motivation profile, while female students are more motivated (with autonomous and controlled motivation) than male students.
Back to the results 2022-2023
Back to the results 2022-2023