Motivation to Study
Can anyone relate to the above comments and thoughts?
You are not alone. Many students I have taught say exactly the same thing. After a long day at school the couch seems like a great option. And there are so many distractions that are more amusing than opening your Maths textbook. Netflix, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, gaming, whatever is your thing, I totally get it, there are so many more fun alternatives to study.
For many students, the motivation to study and complete homework is a never ending battle. Figuring out ways to motivate yourself can at times be impossible, and you become trapped down the rabbit hole of procrastination.
This unit looks at a number of ideas and strategies for you to become more motivated to study.
.png)
What is Motivation?
In simple terms, motivation is your enthusiasm to complete a task or activity. This enthusiasm if looking at a spectrum of motivation can range from 0 % to 100%.
At zero the thought of study is agony, and you will find anything to do, even the dishes, to avoid your study desk. At 100% you cannot wait to get through the door to start a 5 hour marathon study session. These are extremes and most student motivation levels lie somewhere in between. The key is figuring out how to slide your motivation levels to the right.
The Common Misconception About Motivation
The most common misconception about motivation is that students assume it arrives before you sit down to study. As if motivation is some magical potion that gives you the urge to make a start. Some students may think that motivation arrives as a result of watching a motivational movie or inspirational book. However this is not accurate. James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, states that motivation is often the result of action, not the cause of it. Getting started, even in very small ways, is a form of active inspiration that naturally produces momentum.
In other words, the best way to find motivation is to MAKE A START. Don’t wait for motivation before you study. Instead get started and feel the motivation begin to flow! MAKING A START is the key. Even if it's just one question or one paragraph, you will be surprised how quickly you can build momentum and keep going. The hard part is beginning. After you start, progress occurs more naturally.
Some of you are probably thinking, ok, yes I understand this, but all this advice is not really helping me START my study or homework. How do I get off my phone or whatever it is I am wasting time with and just make a START?
The following 18 tips and strategies are used by some of my top students to help avoid procrastination and trigger that initial start to study. Some of these may work for you, others may not. Read through each one and see if it something that could help you with that initial start to your study or homework.
-
CLEAR YOUR STUDY DESK AND DESKTOP
-
GET RID OF DISTRACTIONS
-
CREATE A STUDY/HOMEWORK SCHEDULE
-
DEVELOP A STUDY RITUAL
-
CREATE A TARGET GRADE OR GOAL FOR EACH SUBJECT WITH STEPS
-
BREAK DOWN YOUR STUDY INTO SMALLER CHUNKS
-
STUDY IN SHORT BURSTS - THE POMODORO TECHNIQUE
-
THE GOLDILOCKS RULE
-
ACCOUNTABILITY BUDDY
-
STUDY IN A GROUP
-
FIGURE OUT WHEN YOU STUDY BEST
-
FUEL THE BODY
-
CELEBRATE SUCCESS
-
HARNESS GRIT
-
EXERCISE YOUR BRAIN
-
DO SUBJECTS WHICH YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT
-
SHORT TERM MOTIVATION INJECTIONS
-
DON'T EXPECT TO FEEL MOTIVATED ALL THE TIME
1. CLEAR YOUR STUDY DESK AND DESKTOP
To be productive and motivated to study, you need to be organised. A messy desk looks ugly, and research suggests that it can cause a decrease in concentration and stress. A clean desk creates a clear mind and it helps kick start you into study mode.
The first step to this is making sure your study area is free of clutter. With almost everything digital these days, there is little reason to have piles of paper and books scattered everywhere.
The same applies for your computer desktop. The desktop should look tidy and not be a dumping ground for every file or document you save on your computer. A clean desktop will keep you more focused and prevent wasting time looking for things and help you to stay motivated.
For more on your study area and desktop see Units 2 and Units 3.
2. GET RID OF DISTRACTIONS
.jpg)
This is a no-brainer, but if procrastination is something you are good at, then you need to eliminate all the possible distractions which are preventing you from making a start on study.
Some suggestions include:
-
Turn the TV off
-
Put your phone into flight mode
-
Put your phone out of arm’s length, perhaps in another room
-
Turn off all notifications on your computer
-
Install a website blocker (see unit 3)
-
Invest in a pair of noise cancelling earphones
These suggestions might seem impossible for some of you. The thought of not having your phone on might seem a bit drastic. But if you really want to make progress with your study you need to have as little distraction as possible. You can always quickly check your phone in your study breaks, or even use it as a reward for getting a task done. But whilst you are studying, show some discipline.
3. CREATE A STUDY/HOMEWORK SCHEDULE
Many of the top students I have taught had some type of study schedule. Setting up a schedule can be a way to manage what you do during non-school hours and on the weekend. It helps create structure and makes it more likely that you will follow through with your study regardless of your motivation levels. This is particularly important if you are a student who struggles with organisation.
The most successful businesses and sporting teams stick to a schedule. AFL teams have scheduled training sessions and businesses have scheduled meetings. The structure designs the day for the individual or organisation so they can increase productivity and stick to their goals.
Don’t wait around for motivation, create a schedule and stick to it.
As James Clear likes to say, “Schedule your motivation”. Remember, the hard part is to start your study, having a schedule makes that start much easier.
For more on how to create a schedule see unit 2 and unit 3.
4. DEVELOP A STUDY RITUAL
A study ritual is a little different from a study schedule, it is more like a build up to a study session. The strength of a study ritual or a “pre-study routine” is that it creates a way of initiating the start of a study session. And remember the start is always the hardest.
This video demonstrates how Rafael Nadal and other sports stars use rituals to help them perform at their best. Rituals help these stars manage their performance and focus their mind on the job.
The key to a good study ritual is that it must be effortless. The ritual should be a few simple actions that smoothly transition you into study. A 5km run, for example, is not the best study ritual as you would need time to get your energy back before you study. However, a few simple stretches or breathing exercises could work a treat to help you focus.
Lastly, the ritual must occur every single time before you sit down and study. You want to get to a point where your mind is saying “this is what I do before I start a study session”. Eventually the ritual becomes part of the study process. You won’t need to find motivation, you just need to start the ritual.
Some examples of study rituals might include:
-
Shower - hot Milo - START
-
5 stretching exercises (see unit 10 for examples) - glass of water - snack - START
-
10 minutes meditation - glass of water - snack - START
Many successful celebrities use a daily ritual before getting into a day of work or a task.
5. CREATE A TARGET GRADE OR GOAL FOR EACH SUBJECT WITH STEPS
Setting an end goal or target grade for subjects is a good way to motivate and give you something to strive for.
The thing with goals, much like new year resolutions, is that they can be difficult to stick to and many give up as a result. This is because most students focus on the outcome or the grade rather than the process.
Ideally for each subject you should do the following:
-
Set a target grade. This is a grade that you aim to achieve by the end of the year. The target grade should be challenging yet achievable.
-
Break the goal down into parts, or steps which you need to take so that you have a reasonably high probability of reaching the target grade.
-
Actually write down your target grades and the steps needed to take to achieve each target grade.
Below is a spreadsheet which you can use to track your goals and the steps needed to achieve your goals. The video is to help explain how to use the Goal Tracker.
6. BREAK DOWN YOUR STUDY INTO SMALLER CHUNKS
Sometimes your workload can be huge. This can become very overwhelming, and can actually diminish your motivation.
Break up your tasks into smaller chunks. If you have a task or something to study for, if possible, break it up into smaller parts and do them on different days.
If you are studying for a Science Exam, only study specific topics each night. If you have a Research Assessment, break it down into smaller parts and do those parts on separate days.
Smaller tasks are less daunting and more manageable and you will be less overwhelmed and more motivated to do them.
7. STUDY IN SHORT BURSTS - THE POMODORO TECHNIQUE
For most students a 3hr long study session with no breaks is highly demotivating, unproductive and not the best way to study.
Marty Lobdell, a lecturer of Psychology at Pierce College in Washington, states that the average university student can effectively study in one time span for around 25 minutes. Some a little longer, some a little shorter. He states that at around this time most students tend to lose motivation, the reading is not sinking in and the mind can wander.
The Pomodoro Technique is a method of study which can help overcome this short term ability to study effectively.
In short, you set a timer for a short burst of work, roughly between 20 -30 minutes. When the timer rings, you stop work and take a 5 minute break. You then reset the timer and the process starts again.
Working in short, intense bursts can increase motivation by having the timer as an external motivator. Your focus and concentration will be enhanced with the pressure of the time and the breaks give you the opportunity to pause, refresh and get ready to repeat another 25 minutes.
For more on the Pomodoro technique see Unit 3 and Unit 4
8. THE GOLDILOCKS RULE
To experience peak motivation you must set a level of study which is in the optimum range.
A study session which involves tasks beyond your current abilities will be discouraging. A study session below your current ability will be boring and a waste of time.
However tasks that are challenging but not too complex are very motivating.
As Clear writes in Atomic Habits, “humans experience peak motivation when working on tasks that are right on the edge of their current abilities. Not too hard. Not too easy. Just right.”
Therefore make sure you plan your study session with tasks that are challenging but doable. The harder tasks could be done in class where you have peers and the teacher to assist you.
.png)
9. ACCOUNTABILITY BUDDY
It is always easier to break a promise to yourself then it is to a friend or peer. That is why having an accountability buddy is a great source of motivation. This buddy is someone who helps you keep on track with your study goals and commitments. They will take the time to listen to what you want to achieve and keep a check on you when you have assessments due and exams to study for.
This person will also share their goals and study schedule with you, so that you too can push your accountability buddy in the right direction. It is a two way team effort.
Ideally you want a buddy that cheers on your success but also challenges you when you are slacking off. This might be as easy as a simple text or phone call.
Your accountability buddy ideally is someone in the same year group as you, who is going through a similar journey. However, it can also work with someone that you trust and get along with in a different year group or even a sibling.
As I write this I have an accountability partner who continually checks in to see how I am progressing with this website. It is a powerful motivator.
10. STUDY IN A GROUP
Working in a study group is another way to make it easier to study and increase your levels of motivation.
Some students prefer to work alone, and that is fine, I was like that as a student. But if you have the right group of friends, who are focused and disciplined, then it can become a powerful way to study.
Typically, a study group should have between 3-5 students, any more and it can become a little distracting. You can opt to go over one student’s house if you live close to each other or you can work after school in the library or study rooms. During my time teaching in Singapore, I would see many students sitting in Starbucks or McDonalds, in small groups, books everywhere, studying together. Online study groups can also occur through platforms such as Zoom and Google Meet.
Advantages to working in a study group include:
-
The group gives everyone accountability to stay on track
-
It can be a lot more fun studying with your friends, which can help motivation
-
You can combine notes and share resources
-
Difficult concepts you do not understand can be explained by other members of the group
WHO IS YOUR STUDY SQUAD?
11. FIGURE OUT WHEN YOU STUDY BEST
If you can find out what time of the day you study best, you can use that information to alter your study schedule and take full advantage of what is the best fit for you and your motivation.
There is no ‘one fits all size’ study recommendation when it comes to the time of the day. Every student is different and you must develop an understanding of what time of the day you feel more energetic and motivated.
Most students have three study time options:
-
Early in the morning before school (Between 5am -7.30am)
-
After school (Between 3.30am - 6.30am)
-
At night after dinner (Between 6.30am - 10pm)
Let’s take a look at each option and some of the advantages at studying or doing homework at each of the different times of the day.
1. Early mornings
Those that are early risers can take advantage of the few hours before school to get in some study. After a night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast you can feel very alert and focused. The brain has been refreshed after sleep and you will have the energy to power through some revision or finish off an assessment.
Research suggests that students can recall exact details like names, places, dates and facts better in the morning.The natural daylight also helps and there will be few interruptions in the early morning such as text messages and social media. And assuming you didn’t get to bed too late, it won't interrupt your sleeping schedule.
2. After school
Some students like to use the period straight after school to get their study done. If you like to study in a group, this is a great time to use as this is when you have the most access to your peers.
If you can use your school to study you may even be able to seek teachers for some help. Tutors are also most available at this time.
However, there can be a lot of interruptions after school such as extracurricular commitments and social media distraction.
3. At night after dinner
The commonly named night owl likes to wait until the end of the day, after dinner, after they are settled in, to commence their study. Research suggests that students can think more creatively at night when there is more peace and quiet. Also sleeping after studying is the best way to preserve new information in the brain. There will be less distractions than the afternoon, with the exception of late night social media and Netflix temptation.
However, you can get tired very easily whilst studying at night and motivation levels can drop off quickly. Sleep patterns can also be affected if you stay up too late.
So, what is the answer?
It’s up to you! Try different times of the day and find out what works best for you. Find out when you feel more energised and motivated. Every student has different commitments and energy and motivation levels peak at different times for different students. Do what suits you and your lifestyle.
12. FUEL THE BODY
This might be the most important strategy of them all for motivation, and is discussed in greater detail in Unit 10: The Healthy Student.
You must look after your health. Nutrition, exercise and sleep are all vital to your health which is correlated to your energy and motivation levels.
Think about how motivated you feel when you have the flu? Or when you have a headache? Or when you are tired? There is limited motivation, there is no energy.
Get healthy, prime the body and watch your motivation to study increase.
13. CELEBRATE SUCCESS
Finish a study session with a reward and celebrate the success of grinding through a hard session.
This might be a binge of Netflix, or gaming, or social media. Whatever the reward, it reinforces the meaning behind all the hard work and makes it that little bit easier to start, knowing that there will be something fun at the end of it all.
.png)
14. HARNESS GRIT
‘Grit’ is a bit of a buzzword in education at the moment. Psychologist Angela Duckworth is the world’s leading expert on “grit”, who has been viewed millions of times on a popular TED talk on the issue.
Grit is the ability to persist in something you feel passionate about. It is about having direction and commitment. Gritty students stay committed to a task that may be difficult or boring. Grit is also characterised by the ability to continue working hard even after experiencing failure. Duckworth believes that grit is just as important as IQ in student success.
The most successful students are not necessarily the most intelligent, they are the students who are gritty and consistently study and put hours of hard work into their education.
Grit therefore is a powerful characteristic which can drive student motivation to study. But can you develop grit? Or are you born with grit?
The science is still yet fully convinced on an answer to this question.
But psychologists suggest that there are certain things you can try to improve your grit.
1. Do subjects you are passionate about - It is a lot easier to have grit and determination with subjects you actually enjoy.
2. Surround yourself with gritty people - Your friends have a huge influence on your behaviour. Friends who are positive and hardworking will help you stay motivated.. Surround yourself with friends like this. Your accountability buddy should be someone with grit.
3. Practice and more practice - Compete with yourself. Do a little bit extra then you did yesterday. Hard work can be addictive, and the harder you work the easier study becomes, and you will much more likely stick to it.
4. Hope - A little corny, but it is backed by research. People without hope have been proven to avoid big challenges, quit earlier and act helpless. Use the goal tracker from strategy 5 to help track the path towards your goals which might boost hope and confidence levels.
5. Fixed v Growth Mindset - Growth Mindset is an idea developed at Stanford University by Carol Dweck. It is the belief that the ability to learn is not fixed, that it can change with your effort. If you have this mindset you are more likely to persevere when you fail. A growth mindset allows you to keep pushing through a study session, it helps you become grittier.
Talented actor Will Smith has said for years that his success is more attributed to his work ethic (his grit), rather than his talent. In my experience, the same can be said for many of my students' success. High-achieving students are often the ones who put the study hours in, have a high work ethic and are generally more gritty.
15. EXERCISE YOUR BRAIN
Your brain needs exercise just like any part of your body. You go to the gym to increase muscle mass or yoga to improve your flexibility. Brain training apps work in the same way using a variety of fun science-based games designed to exercise memory and attention and challenge the brain through speed, flexibility and problem solving.
Perhaps you can try some brain training apps to enhance your focus, consistency and motivation to study.
Some of the more popular brain training apps include:
Traditional methods such as reading, doing puzzles such as Sudoku and Crosswords and journaling also help exercise the brain.
It is also important for the brain to have adequate rest and sleep. This means that you should be getting 8-10 hours of sleep a night. For more on this see Unit 10: The Healthy Student.
Nutrition is vital for the brain which benefits from Omega-3 fats which can be found in nuts, avocado and salmon. Other powerful brain foods include beans, berries, pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate. For more on this see Unit 10: The Healthy Student
16. DO SUBJECTS WHICH YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT
This one applies when you have the opportunity to choose your subjects. You will be more motivated to study for subjects which you actually enjoy and/or are passionate about. Do not do subjects just because your friends are doing them. Do not choose subjects because of a teacher or because your parents want you to. Do some research, ask questions and do the subjects you think best suit you and where you want to go in the future. When you actually enjoy the subject the motivation to study and do homework will be so much greater compared to a subject you dislike or see no relevance in.
17. SHORT TERM MOTIVATION INJECTIONS
Motivational quotes and videos can be a little cheesy.
But I must admit I can be a sucker for a few good one liners or a video about a sport or movie star achieving something great. They can give you that little push and some fuel to take action and start a study session.
What I suggest is to pick one or two of your favourite one liners and put them on your study desk or on your wall. At the least, they may be able to give you a little short term motivation injection.
Click on the following links for some motivational quotes and videos
What to do when motivation is fading?
Inevitably, your motivation during a study session will fade at some point. This is natural, and sometimes it may be time to just call it a day. However, if you really need to push on with an important assessment or task here a few suggestions to keep grinding through:
-
Get up, go outside, get some fresh air, and go for a 10 minute walk.
-
Get up and stretch for 3 minutes.
-
Remind yourself that pain is temporary. Yes, this study is hard and it is tiring, but it is temporary. Maintain some perspective, embrace the pain and let it strengthen you.
-
Also remind yourself that you will never regret hard work once it is done. It is such a good feeling once you have completed an assessment or a really good study session. You will never find yourself worse off after hard work.
-
And finally, this is life. Life is often hard. If study was easy, then everyone would get straight As. That moment when you are about to give up, remember that your life and success is determined by the thousand of decisions and choices you make on a daily basis. Make yourself proud, push through it.
18. DON'T EXPECT TO FEEL MOTIVATED ALL THE TIME
One way of dealing with motivation is to stop expecting to feel motivated all the time. No one feels motivated all the time. Sometimes the motivation just won’t be there. Instead of relying on motivation rely on your study habits, your rituals and schedule. Once these things become a habit you won’t always have to be fully motivated to start studying.
PAST STUDENTS ADVICE ON MOTIVATION
Listen to some helpful hints and tips on how to improve your motivation from two former high school students.
Alicia scored a perfect 45 from 45 in the IB Diploma Program. Alicia has also started her own YouTube Channel which is dedicated on how to stay organised and to help with revision for exams. She is currently at University studying Science.
Adam received an ATAR of 95 after completing his NSW HSC Exams. He is currently at University studying Commerce.
CONCLUSION
Motivation cannot be found in a magical potion and you won’t be motivated all the time. The best way to find motivation is to make the initial start. Use the strategies above to help you make that start. Not all of them will work for you, everyone is different. But if you can apply perhaps 5-10 of them it will help you make that initial start, build momentum and keep going.
For further reading on some of the content above check these books out:
Also check out these websites for even more on motivation to study