How to get motivated to study

Study for two minutes. Check email. Study for two minutes. Scroll through Instagram. Study for two minutes. Browse TikTok. Sound like you? If this mirrors your typical study process, you are certainly not alone. One of the hardest things about study is finding the motivation to actually get started!

But not every study motivation strategy works for everyone. Some work well in isolation, others find a combination works better for them. Some strategies that work today may not work tomorrow. Regardless, simply reading this blog means your intentions are on the right track! Read on to find out more about how to get motivated to study.

Remember your ‘why’

When you’re lacking the motivation to study, it helps to remember why you’re undertaking your course in the first place. Being able to articulate your “why” can help you set long-term goals, which can be a powerful motivator. One valuable tip is to imagine your life in the future and how the course will help you succeed once you’ve completed it. You can also ask yourself why your study initially interested you, what you enjoy most about it, and what you hope to achieve once it’s done and dusted.

Set achievable goals

In terms of how to get motivated to study, it’s also important to consistently remind yourself why you are studying. It might be because you are passionate about the topic, study will bring you closer to an achievable goal, or there might be financial benefits that could lead to a better lifestyle. Goals should be “SMART”, an acronym that stands for the words Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-specific.

Part of setting goals is practising self-motivation. Visual reminders like vision boards or motivation apps can keep you inspired. But regardless of your motivation, make sure you aren’t overloading yourself by trying to do everything at once. Breaking down your study into manageable chunks can help make it a bit less daunting.

Commit to a study routine

Life can be fairly hectic at the best of times, so incorporating study into the mix can be a little overwhelming, even to the super-organised. It’s important to establish a routine that incorporates everything you have going on, so you don’t feel snowed under.

Everyone’s routine will be different depending on their life circumstances, so you need to discover what works best for you. A study plan or timetable is a valuable tool that can give you a visual overview of your workload and help you stay accountable. It can also be tailored around work or social commitments. Firstly, know your existing commitments, then estimate how much time you’ll need for study, and finally leave some room for flexibility.

Create an encouraging study space

Another tip for how to get motivated to study, is to create the right environment. Consider:

• Choosing a dedicated space that is clean, organised and quiet.
• Ensuring your space has a decent-sized desk, an ergonomic chair and your screen contrast is comfortable to look at.
• Having access to natural light, which studies have shown can improve mood and give you a better quality sleep.
• Avoiding facing direct light which can be distracting and uncomfortable.
• Listening to music, whether it is music without lyrics or louder music to keep your energy levels (as long as it’s not too distracting!)
• Adding a bit of greenery, like a space-saving trailing plant, a low-maintenance succulent or a vibrant fern.

Eliminate temptations

Regardless of age, all of us can be  istracted by things that can tempt us into procrastination. Whether it’s watching TV, scrolling through Facebook or picking up that new novel, in terms of how to get motivated for study, it’s best to keep distractions to a minimum. Because the more focus you have, the better your ability to concentrate will be.

Tips include leaving your phone in another room, listening to music rather than having the TV on, or using that great book as a reward when you’ve completed a study milestone. Some phones have anti-procrastination features like the Screen Time feature on iPhones. There are also apps like Study Break that allow you to set timed study blocks and breaks.

Get enough sleep

According to the National Sleep Foundation, “sleep is an active period in which a lot of important processing, restoration, and strengthening occurs”, including:

• Restoration – which helps our minds and bodies revitalise so they can function properly.
• Energy conservation – when sleeping we are using less energy and building our reserves for the day ahead.
• Brain processing and helping build memories – brain fluid increases its flow when we are sleeping, which helps us remember things we have learned during the day.
• Enhancing our creativity and problem solving – when we sleep, our neuro-connections are linked which strengthens our brains.

Reward yourself

Some people can work really well under pressure, and a certain amount of pressure is needed in order for you to push yourself and succeed. However, in order to keep your mental and physical health in order, remember to reward yourself. Treats can be a great incentive for motivation and they can be as big or small as you like! Some include:

• Watching a favourite TV show, movie or streaming service
• Going to see a new-release movie
• Enjoying some snacks you’ve been craving
• Making your favourite meal for dinner
• Getting outside for some exercise and fresh air
• Face-timing a friend or family member
• Meditating or doing some yoga
• Reading your new favourite book or listening to a podcast
• Soaking in a bubble bath
• Purchasing something online you’ve been wanting
• Getting a massage
• Taking a day off

Use the Pomodoro Technique

A valuable tip if you’re looking for how to get motivated to study is to use the Pomodoro Technique. Invented by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s, it uses a timer to break work down into intervals that are separated by short breaks. You can customise this method to suit  you and your specific study goals. The process includes:

1. Setting a timer for 25 minutes and working on one task during that time.
2. Stopping work when the timer goes off and putting a check mark on a piece of paper.
3. If you have fewer than four checkmarks, taking a five-minute break.
4. Repeating steps 1 to 3 until you have completed four “pomodoros”.
5. After four “pomodoros”, taking a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes, resetting your checkmark count to zero and going back to step 1.