I think it's a bit different when you're a student though, when you're a student, your renumeration package in terms of money is £0 at that moment in time (or -

I think it's a bit different when you're a student though, when you're a student, your renumeration package in terms of money is £0 at that moment in time (or -£9000+ when you consider tuition fees) and the only compensation you will get is a piece of paper detailing the results of your efforts. So the motivation isn't money, it's more like "I have to finish this project or I won't be able to graduate" I suppose you could argue that I'm contradicting my original point, after all those who work the hardest will get the top grade in the class is directly comparable to those who work the hardest will get the most money. But I think it's largely subjective, if you work 12 hours in a day, what percentage of those 12 hours are productive? For me I find that I tend to burn out after a while and my productivity becomes jaded and leaves me vulnerable to making silly coding errors or not seeing the bigger picture.