In an academic environment, we witness daily how important it is to have a vision – a dream that drives us. Whether you’re a student trying to find your place in the world of knowledge or a professor searching for the perfect method of transferring knowledge, one thing is certain – without ambition, development halts. Relentless ambition is the driving force that doesn’t fade even in moments of exhaustion, disappointment, or loneliness on the path to a goal.

As a professor, I often had the opportunity to observe how students start the year full of enthusiasm, only to falter over time. The reason for this is not a lack of potential, but a lack of belief in their own strength and a mistaken image of ambition – that it must be perfectly defined and flawless. The truth is exactly the opposite.

Relentless ambition is not about having no obstacles, but having the strength to overcome them.

Bojana Ostojic

Adopt a growth mindset and learn from mistakes.
A mistake on an exam, a bad presentation, a forgotten obligation—these are experiences that don’t define you, but shape you. When we work with students on their theses, I often hear, “If my topic isn’t perfect, I might as well quit.” The truth is, perfection is created through the process—no work begins as a masterpiece. The first step is to write it. Then you perfect it.

The path is not straight, and that’s okay.
One student who barely passed the basic subjects in his first year is now a scholarship recipient at a prestigious European university. His secret? He told me, “Professor, I decided to treat every failure as a signal that I need to change something, not as a sign to quit.” Ambition isn’t about always being the best, but about never stopping the effort.

Ambition is fueled by habits, not inspiration
Relentless ambition doesn’t come from a single motivational speech or video. It comes from getting up every day, showing up for classes, writing sentence by sentence, day by day. One student once told me, “I decided to read three pages of professional literature every day. It changed my life.” And it truly did—she now works as a teaching assistant.

Surround yourself with people who believe in you
Students who regularly communicate with professors, mentors, and peers are more likely to persevere. Not because their journey is easier, but because they feel a sense of belonging and support. If you feel like your path has no meaning—talk to someone. Sometimes just one sentence can become a turning point.

Your “why” is your greatest strength
A fellow professor once told me, “Whenever I’m unsure whether to continue a project, I remind myself why I entered academia in the first place—to inspire, not to prove myself.” It reminded me how important it is to have a clear reason. When you know why you’re doing something, you’ll find a way to do it.

Don’t forget to celebrate small victories
Defending a seminar paper, a successful public presentation, your first academic conference—these are small steps that lead to big goals. Celebrate them. Keep a journal of your wins. Sometimes that reminder will help you keep going when things get tough.

Don’t give up even when it feels like everything is against you
I had a student who was studying and working three jobs. He never missed a deadline, and often told me, “The only luxury I can’t afford is to give up.” Today, he teaches in an international program. His story is a reminder that relentless ambition doesn’t mean you don’t face obstacles—it means you have the strength to overcome them.


Relentless ambition isn’t a trait of the chosen few. It’s a daily decision to believe in yourself, to keep learning, to keep trying, and to never give up. As a professor, I believe the greatest gift we can give a student is belief in their own potential. Because once they discover the power of their ambition, even the sky won’t be the limit.