There is no question that it is very hard to find the energy and drive required to get study done when you don't know how to motivate yourself to study. Motivation and passion go hand in hand, but it can be extremely difficult to get passionate about studying!
So instead of telling you that motivation should come easily to you, we are going to provide you with some wisdom that has been provided by students just like you. Here are five tips you can use to move your study forward - especially when you don't feel like studying!
Tip One. Become very aware of your thoughts. We have thousands of conscious thoughts every day. Thoughts such as "What's for breakfast?" or "I will never get this study or assignment done on time!" Thoughts such as these must be carefully monitored and controlled. Why? Well, if you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you can't. It really is that simple. Start changing the way you think by replacing negative thoughts with positive ones. Use thoughts like "I can do this" or "I'm always making progress" or "I always get work done on time!" The more you say these things to yourself the more they will become ingrained in your psyche.
Tip Two. Visualize your awesomeness. It might seem corny but visualization is a great tool for getting motivated. Think about how good it feels when you hand in your homework or assignment on time. Or how great you feel when you get a top grade on your next test. Think first, act second.
Tip Three. Take small steps consistently. The demotivating part of most tasks is that they seem so huge and hard that it seems pointless even getting started. But that's the trap you must avoid. If you have to write a 1000 word essay, then start by writing just 50 words. That's only one paragraph. You don't have to write it all in one go you know! Break it down into parts. Your worry will only disappear when you take some action. So take some small regular action and remember that repetition is your friend.
Tip Four. Set up a personal stick and carrot routine. Warning! This one will work better for some than others. Establish a goal for what you are going to get done each day. For example, you might say "I am going to get my Maths homework done and write the first two paragraphs on my History paper." Now, if you complete the goal you get to have the reward. The reward could be eating pizza or ice-cream, or watching television, or buying yourself a new song for your iPod, or going out to see a movie with friends (or a combination of many things). But make sure your rewards are important and desirable to you. If you didn't do as you promised yourself, then you get nothing. Nothing at all. You can't watch television, stuff your face with sweets or spend time with your friends. But if you do complete your goals you can do whatever you please! Granted, this routine does require a serious level of self-discipline, but if you master it you will find that motivation comes very easily to you.
Tip Five. The more you do the closer you are to the end. We've all been there. Work just seems to constantly pile up and no matter how much you get done there is always more work to do. But the thing to remember is that every day brings you closer to completion. When you hand in an assignment you have ticked a box. When you sit a test or exam you have ticked a box. There are only so many boxes you have to tick before your study days are over. Your life will not be like this forever. So start ticking boxes like crazy and before you know it they'll all be ticked!
When you don't know how to motivate yourself to study it's time to take some action. Do something. Do anything. But don't just sit there wasting time! Use the five tips students have shared with us to make it happen for you. Good luck!
No comments:
Post a Comment