Staying Motivated while Studying [SkillsYouNeed]

Motivation directs behavior toward particular goals. It determines the specific goals toward which people strive; thus, it affects the choices students make. Motivation will increase students' time on task and is also an important factor affecting their learning and achievement. Sometimes having to do all that studying and catching up with reading from previous weeks feels like a drag. But, Don't expect to feel motivated all the time.

Strangely enough, one of the best ways to deal with a lack of motivation is to stop expecting to feel motivated all the time. Sometimes the motivation just won't be there. That's why you need a study routine and study habits because systems always beat motivation.

It can be overwhelming because together with the studying can come a wave of questions where you doubt yourself on a personal level with thoughts such as:

'Do I even understand these readings?'… 'Am I going to be able to write something interesting and relevant?'… 'Am I going to do the right thing?'… 'Am I good enough to do this?'… 'Others seem to be more on top of things than I am'… 'What if I do badly?' 

"One day you will be at a place you always wanted to be."

 

So to generate that motivation you could try some of the following:

1. Don't run away! Avoiding work can make you feel deflated. This is emotionally more draining than having to go through the frustration of reading for your paper. 

2. Break the task into manageable chunks: A big task, such as writing a dissertation, or revising for an extended period, can be demotivating because it seems so big. Breaking the task down into manageable chunks can, therefore, help make it seem less daunting. 

3. Try to understand your studying style better: What will make it easier for you to work? We are all prone to pleasant experiences and, naturally, we tend to avoid uncomfortable dry chores and duties. So try to make your study experience as interesting as possible.

"The secret to getting ahead is getting started."

4. Keep your end goal in mind—but also use interim goals on the way:

One of the best ways to stay motivated is to remember why you are studying in the first place. 'Getting good exam results’ is not necessarily very motivating. Instead, you need to look beyond that to what the exam results will get you, whether that is a place at your chosen school or university or a new job. The more detail you can provide for your goal, the easier it will be to keep in mind.

5. Don't question your abilities (which most people do, including me)

Don't put yourself down by comparing yourself to others.

"Study Hard and be the type of the cousin, your aunts will give example of, to their children"

6. Get into your study routine: It is generally easier to stay motivated if your studying becomes part of your everyday life and routine.

For example, you might choose to get up an hour earlier, and spend that hour studying each day, or work every other evening, or perhaps study for one day a week. That way, it is easier to avoid being distracted during your study time, because you know that it is set aside for a purpose. Your friends and family will also get to know when your study time happens, and hopefully avoid you then.

You should also ensure that when you start your study period, you minimize distractions.

7. Try different study approaches: Especially when you first start studying, you will not necessarily know what works for you.

It is therefore worth trying different approaches, to see which you find most productive.

You could also try different types of activities. Options include reading over your notes, writing a mind map or drawing pictures, making up songs or poems to help you remember facts, doing practice questions, or even teaching something to your friends, and having them teach you something you find difficult. Meeting as a group to share and discuss exam answers prepared by each person can give you a helpful critique of your answer, and also help you think of other ideas.

"Don't think about what can happen in a month. Don't think about what can happen in a year. Just focus on the 24 hours in front of you and do what you can to get closer to where you want to be."

8. Take a time-limited approach in which you schedule your tasks: Ask yourself 'how much can I achieve in the next 2 hours?' instead of 'Can I complete all tasks?' In this way, you do not get as easily overwhelmed by the volume of study you need to do. 

9.REMEMBER, studying can be challenging and take you out of your comfort zone. Think about the hiking of Mountain Kilimanjaro; it is not easy and can even be uncomfortable but the pleasure comes when you begin to see the view from height, feel the fresh air and when you reach the destination you get a sense of achievement and satisfaction. Focus on the outcome and not the struggle to get there!

"Yes it is going to be hard, but it is going to be worth it."

To all the students who need help with studying, YOU can do it! Best of luck!

 

                                                                                                                                                                                         

"Don't rest until you are done."

Blog by bidisha~

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