Tackling Demotivation in STEM Fields: A Student’s Perspective

Abstract

The fields of STEM/STEAM are ones in which curiosity and creativity meet a very high level of rigor. When navigating such a field, staying motivated and maintaining belief in oneself and one’s intelligence can prove difficult. Self-doubt and discouragement quickly creep in for many students, as they did for me at times. In this piece, I give an account of my STEM journey, from high school chemistry to science fairs, the challenges and disheartening moments that I faced, and the growth and inspiration that came out of them that I take with me as I begin to pursue a career in STEM.