I think the key thing for me is something my dad told me when I was griping about school as a kid: "It's about having options."

Ever since then, I've targeted my educational investments in a way that points me towards the sorts of options that I want to have.

This "gimme options" perspective also helps keep you going when learning sucks, because not having the kinds of options you want sucks more. Having some experience living with limited options can really drive home the fear that serves to get you into the mood to keep learning.