Are you studying for finals and feeling a little unmotivated? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many students find themselves struggling to get motivated to study. The good news is that there are many techniques that can help boost your motivation to study. In this blog post, we will discuss 11 ways to get motivated and achieve success in your studies!
Best Ways to Boost Your Motivation to Study
Reward yourself for studying
One of the best ways to motivate yourself is by rewarding yourself for studying. Studies have shown that tangible rewards can be very effective in boosting motivation. So, if you study for one hour, allow yourself to take a break and do something that you enjoy for 30 minutes. This could be watching your favourite show, going for a walk outside, or playing with your pet. This method of study, known as the Pomodoro technique, is utilized by many university and professional school students.
You can also give yourself larger rewards for studying for longer periods of time or reaching specific goals. This will help train your brain to associate studying with a positive activity.
Study with your friends
One of the best ways to stay motivated is by studying with your friends. Studying with others is helpful because it keeps you accountable and on track. It can also be more enjoyable than studying alone.
If you don’t have any friends who are also studying, there are many study groups that you can join both online and in person. These groups can provide support and motivation when you need it the most.
Remind yourself of your long-term goals
When you’re feeling unmotivated, it can be helpful to remind yourself of your long-term goals. Why did you decide to study in the first place? What do you hope to achieve? Is your end goal professional school, university, or a good job?
It can be easy to forget our goals when we’re bogged down with studying. But, if we take a step back and remember why we’re doing this, it can help us push through and stay motivated.
Eliminate distractions
Another way to stay motivated is by eliminating distractions. This means turning off your phone, closing the door to your room, and putting away any other items that could potentially distract you. If you’re studying at a library or coffee shop, find a seat away from the door or windows.
By eliminating distractions, you can better focus on your studies and stay on track.
Develop an interest in what you have to study
If you’re struggling to find motivation, it may be because you’re not interested in what you have to study. In this case, it’s important to try and develop an interest in the subject matter. This can be done by reading about the topic outside of class, listening to podcasts, or watching documentaries.
By developing an interest in what you’re studying, you’ll be more likely to stay motivated and engaged in your studies.
Take breaks
It’s important to take breaks when studying so that you don’t get overwhelmed or burned out. When you take a break, you can come back to your studies refreshed and ready to learn.
There are many different ways that you can take a break. You could go for a walk, listen to music, or talk to a friend. Just make sure that your break is actually restful and not another form of procrastination.
Establish a comfortable learning environment
One of the best ways to make studying more enjoyable is by establishing a comfortable environment. This could mean studying in your favourite chair, setting up candles or an essential oil diffuser, or playing soft music in the background.
It could also mean finding the perfect study spot. This could be a spot in your house, at the library, or even outside. It’s important to find a place that makes you feel calm and focused.
It’s important to find what works for you and makes you feel most comfortable. Once you’ve established a comfortable studying environment, you’ll be more likely to stay motivated and focused on your studies.
Set realistic goals
It’s important to set realistic goals when studying so that you don’t get discouraged. If you’re trying to study for an exam that’s two weeks away, setting a goal of studying for four hours a day is likely to be unrealistic.
Instead, try studying for one hour a day or every other day. This way, you can gradually increase the amount of time that you’re studying without feeling overwhelmed.
Create a study schedule
Creating a study schedule is a great way to stay motivated and on track. By setting aside specific days and times for studying, you’re more likely to stick to your studying goals.
Your study schedule doesn’t have to be rigid or set in stone. You can always adjust it as needed. But, having a general outline of when you’ll be studying can be helpful in keeping you motivated.
Develop a Growth Mindset
It’s important to develop a growth mindset when studying. This means understanding that intelligence is not fixed and can be developed over time.
If you have a growth mindset, you’ll be more likely to see studying as an opportunity to learn and grow. This can help you stay motivated even when the going gets tough.
Just get started
One of the best ways to get motivated to study is simply by getting started. It can be easy to procrastinate and put off studying, but once you start, it’s usually not as bad as you thought it would be.
So, if you’re having trouble getting motivated, just sit down and start studying. Once you get started, you may find that it’s not as difficult as you thought it would be.
Why do Students Often Lack Studying Motivation?
There can be many reasons why students might lack studying motivation. This list is not exhaustive, but rather gives examples and strategies to help combat a lack of motivation.
They Get Distracted Easily
Another reason why students might lack studying motivation is that they get distracted easily. With the internet, social media, and smartphones, it’s easier than ever to get distracted from studying. To minimize distractions, look for a quiet spot to study where you won’t be tempted to check your phone or go online.
They Don’t Know How to Study Effectively
Another reason why students might lack studying motivation is that they don’t know how to study effectively. If you’re not studying in a way that works for you, it can be hard to stay motivated. There are a variety of different ways to study, so experiment until you find a studying method that works for you.
They’re Stressed About Their Grades
Another reason why students might lack studying motivation is that they’re stressed about their grades. If you’re constantly worried about getting bad grades, it can be hard to find the motivation to study. Try to set realistic goals for yourself and take each problem one step at a time. This will help to take the pressure off and make it easier to motivate yourself to study. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Burn Out
Another reason why students might lack studying motivation is that they’ve simply burned out. If you’ve been studying for a long time, it’s easy to get burnt out. Don’t forget to take care of yourself when you study and try to take breaks to do something that you enjoy. This can help to refresh your mind and make it easier to motivate yourself to study when you need to.
They Have Too Much on Their Plate
Another reason why students might lack studying motivation is that they have too much on their plate. If you’re trying to balance school, work, and social life, it can be hard to find the time and energy to study. One way to combat this is to try to schedule some time for studying in your week. This can help to make sure that you have the time and motivation to study.
They’re Not Interested in the Subject
Another reason why students might lack studying motivation is that they’re not interested in the subject. If you’re not interested in what you’re studying, it can be hard to find the motivation to do it. This is a tough problem to tackle, but there are ways to make it easier for yourself. One approach is to search for a method to make the subject more fascinating for you. For example, if you’re studying history, try to find a way to relate it to something that you’re interested in.
They Think They’re Not Smart Enough
Another factor that contributes to students’ lack of motivation to study is their belief that they are not smart enough. Often this is a self-fulfilling prophecy where those who think they’re not smart enough, are less likely to study and do well. One way to combat this is to remind yourself that everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. Just because you’re not good at something doesn’t mean that you can’t learn. Additionally, nobody starts smart. Only through working hard and working smart can we truly improve.
Uncontrollable Circumstances
There are some students who might lack studying motivation because of uncontrollable circumstances. For example, if you have a learning disability, it can be hard to find the motivation to study. Additionally, if you come from a family situation where education is not valued, it can be hard to find the motivation to study. It’s important to be mindful as students and teachers that these situations can be possible and always encourage others to be their very best no matter the situation. We are all on our own journeys as students.