How to bribe yourself into getting better grades.

You probably have many reasons for wanting to succeed in college, but what do you do when those goals seem far away and you just can’t summon up much motivation to do your work in the here and now? Bribe yourself: I do it every week. When I first started graduate school, I realized that going to night classes after a long day at the office would be a challenge. In addition, my commute to school involved two subway trains each way, plus a long, cold walk on the way home. I couldn’t afford to miss class, but there would be nights when I would try to convince myself otherwise. I decided to play to one of my weaknesses—my craving for the cheeseburgers and fries at a certain fast-food restaurant. Normally I try to maintain a healthy diet, but on the nights I go to class I allow myself a special stop on the way home. If I have participated in the class discussion, I get my cheeseburger. If I have participated a lot, I get fries, too. Guess what? In six semesters, I’ve barely missed a class, and I always find plenty to say. Your reward may be something quite different—new music, a fruit smoothie at the campus center, half an hour off to watch some truly frivolous television show with your friends. The important thing is to only treat yourself to that particular reward when you’ve accomplished your task. No cheating! Your cheeseburger (or whatever you choose) will taste better when you’ve earned it.