Are you looking for information on how to get motivated to study? Are you struggling with learning how to study? If your answer is yes, you’ve come to the right place. Imagine yourself acing the exam you’ve been stressing over all night. The joy on your face supersedes everything else that it took to get there. You can make this dream a reality by putting in the needed effort and time, as well as getting motivated to study. There are several ways to do this, and this list will provide 33 study motivation tips to help you. You only have one thing to do, and that is to keep reading.
Why You Need to Get Motivated to Study
Why You Need to Get Motivated to Study1. Earn better grades.
If you are a student, one of your main goals is to earn the best grades possible. You will not be able to do this without frequent study sessions and a mindset for success. Staying motivated is essential to making the grades you desire and staying on top of your coursework. Have you noticed that when you’re motivated to do something, you can work hard and have a better outcome?
2. Easier retention of information.
Much like the employees of a company, when they feel motivated and pushed to do better, they stay longer. This can be directly applied to the information you are studying. If you are dedicated to a topic and motivated to continue, you will work harder at retaining the information. For example, if my motivation for doing well in a course is knowing that I will have a 4.0 when I am done. I wouldn’t skim the readings and lazily complete the assignments. I would be motivated to find ways the best way to retain the information that I am taking in to recall it later for an exam or a quiz.
3. Increased comprehension of the topic at hand.
Being motivated allows you to work harder at understanding the subject in front of you. If you are motivated to be better in school, you will do more activities which aid in the understanding of information. Motivation is what pushes you to go to tutoring or visit the office hours of your professor. These activities directly relate to how well you can comprehend a subject. When you are putting in a more significant amount of effort, you get a higher return on your investment.
4. Improves performance.
Overall, being motivated to do well increases your performance. Motivation not only helps you do well, but once you see that you have done well, you are motivated to continue doing well. The feelings that come with doing well are not only gratifications but pushes to keep up the excellent work. If you are feeling good, wouldn’t you want to keep that feeling? Motivation allows you to do just that.
5. Increased persistence and effort.
When you are motivated, you are more likely to push through a difficult task. Have you ever been working out and as soon as you decide to give up your trainer’s voice bellows in your ear motivating you to push through? I’m sure with the added push you could get through it. The same thing can be said for studying. However, there will not typically be a person yelling in your ear for you to study unless you have great friends. You will give more when you are inclined to do so.
6. Increased productivity.
Increased productivity is a great reason to ensure you are motivated before you study. It ensures that you get the most out of your study session and can mean a better quality of work.
How to Get Motivated to Study When Tired Tips
How to Get Motivated to Study When Tired Tips7. Get your heart pumping.
Exercise is a great way to wake you up when you are feeling exhausted or simply out of energy. No, you do not have to do hours in the gym, but the movement is recommended. If you feel your energy draining take a walk around the block, jog in place or even do some jumping jacks. This will ensure that you are awake and ready to study. Another great way to get your heart pumping is to listen to your notes during a workout. All you must do is record yourself reading your notes or if you aren’t a fan of your voice, get a friend to record themselves reading your notes. This technique allows you to brush up on material while taking a jog or a walk to a sound you are familiar with. You may have also seen people bring notes or a book with them when jogging on the treadmill. This can be an excellent technique for recalling information.
8. Take power naps.
Power naps have several benefits, especially when studying. These benefits include refreshing your body, creating a heightened sense of awareness, and providing a refreshed outlook. They can successfully reduce stress and provide relaxation for the body. However, power naps should be no longer than 20 minutes and after almost 3 hours of study time or when you feel it is needed. Taking naps longer than 20 minutes has the potential to leave you tired and unable to sleep at night.
9. Rotate topics.
When you find, yourself getting tired and unable to focus, switch topics. Choose an item you are more familiar with that excites you and come back to the other topic later. Do not continue to stare at the same information; otherwise, the potential to fall asleep or quit is more significant. Though you shouldn’t switch topics every 15 minutes, it is good to take a break from a topic and come back later. This gives your brain time to rest and come back with a new perspective. For example, if you have spent the last 4 hours studying linear algebra attempting to understand equations and problems, fatigue is normal. You should switch to a different topic which does not follow the same pattern and return later. Do not switch from linear algebra to differential equations. You will likely find yourself more fatigued and at a quitting point if you do.
10. Study in an upright position or at a desk.
Finding a comfortable and productive place to study is essential, especially when you are tired. Never study laying down or on a bed. Find someplace that is well lit and provides a comfortable workspace for you. This can be the library, a coffee shop, or even a common area. Posture is critical when studying. You want to try to sit up straight with your shoulders and arms relaxed. You should also always attempt to study with some hard surface in front of you. Many campuses also offer a standing desk if you find that this works better for you. If you remember to change your position after long periods, you will stay alert and focused.
11. Commit to a task Publicly.
It’s easy to give up on a goal when no one else knows about it. Use your social media accounts to your advantage. Generally promising to complete a task publicly makes a job more likely to be achieved. Have you ever wonder why there is a surge of weight loss blogs and Instagram accounts? When other people are aware of your situation, they can hold you accountable as well. Therefore, you are not only giving up on yourself; you are letting others down around you. Creating a study blog or account which shares your tips or study habits is a great way to not only share knowledge but hold yourself to the standard you discuss. This can also be a fun way to tag friends from your courses in your posts and use them for accountability as well.
12. Eat a healthy snack.
A cheeseburger or a bag of fries is not a healthy snack that should be had while you are studying. Greasy food increases your level of tiredness and can be detrimental to your motivation to study. Snacking can be beneficial while you are studying. However, having a healthy snack is essential for reducing fatigue and not burning out. There are several brain foods which provide cognitive benefits. These foods include almonds, dark chocolate, fruit salad, Greek yogurt, grapes, and even trail mix.
13. Add greenery to your workspace.
If your workspace or desk area is very dreary and dark, adding some plants may not only liven up the space, but it may aid in motivation for studying. They not only help in purifying the air, but they also have been proven that plants help people concentrate though different plants have different levels of effectiveness. Many studies also show that green can aid in creating an environment conducive to creativeness and increased mental health.
How to Increase Motivation to Study Tips
How to Increase Motivation to Study Tips14. Reward yourself.
Rewards are an excellent incentive for studying or reaching a milestone in your coursework. A bonus gives you something to look forward to while studying. For example, after an hour of studying, you can reward yourself with a snack or a power nap. Your reward can be anything that will keep you motivated to continue working. This reward can also be time on social media, fifteen minutes of your favorite game, or a short call with friends.
15. Take frequent breaks.
It’s crucial when you are studying to take regular breaks. This ensures you are reenergized continuously. You should do activities which promote energy. You do not want to do activities which make it hard for you to transition back into studying. Suitable break activities can include stretching, cooking a meal, or even taking a shower.
16. Change your location.
Studies show that studying in multiple locations increases retention and your ability to recall information. A change of scenery can also keep you motivated to study more. You should study in an area with minimal distractions. Studying from your bed may entice you to go to sleep whereas studying from your couch may encourage you to binge-watch your favorite TV show. Keep these things in mind when changing your study location. If you are in college, it may be fun to explore your campus and see what areas are available to you. Make a list in your phone of the places which may be a good fit for studying. Whenever you need a change of scenery, refer to one of the locations on your list.
17. Create a study playlist.
Music is a great motivator and can help you stay focused while studying. Listening to music can aid in elevating your mood, calming you down and keeping you motivated for long periods of time. You should choose music which is calming and peaceful. Classical music or ambient music can be two great types of music to listen to while studying.
18. Use timers to keep you focused.
Timers can be used to increase productivity, keep you focused on the task at hand, and motivated to do more. A timer allows you to treat activities as containment units. You can primarily concentrate your energy on one task until there is time for another one. A timer also aids you with keeping a firmer grasp on how long it takes to do something.
19. Use small goals to keep you on track.
Setting goals is an important activity which can make it easier to achieve more significant milestones. They also aid students in meeting deadlines and staying accountable. When creating goals, they should follow the SMART framework. This means that they should be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-specific.
20. Read motivational quotes.
Motivational quotes, though cliché, can be a great way to inspire and motivate students. Though different quotes have a different effect on students, they can aid in getting students back on track and in the mindset to study.
How to Motivate Yourself to Read a Textbook Tips
How to Motivate Yourself to Read a Textbook Tips21. Set reminders and benchmarks for completing readings.
For some subjects, reading may be hard to do. Instead of telling yourself you are going to sit down and ready 300 pages of text, create a reading plan. You can segment your reading by topic or by chunks of pages. For example, for 1 hour, you will read about the Industrial Revolution. After reading, you will take a quick 15-minute break to recharge then come back and complete your reading on the great depression. You can also segment these tasks by time instead of specific sections. Use your phone to set continuous alarms or reminders for when you should finish your reading. Keep doing this until you are finished with the full reading assignment.
22. Annotate with purpose.
It’s essential that while you are reading your textbook that you are using meaningful annotations. These annotations can include highlighting prominent information, circling words, and phrases you are unsure of. Before writing in the textbook ensure it is yours otherwise takes notes on sticky notes and place them on the sections you would like to annotate.
23. Make it fun.
Reading doesn’t have to be boring. It can be fun and entertaining. There are several ways to make learning fun. Turn your textbook sections into a song or create a word association game with keywords and vocabulary. Students can create any game with their information. This can include puzzles, quizzes, and even flashcards. You can also turn your studies into a party with music as well.
24. Eliminate distractions.
Distractions can be a significant hindrance when attempting to read for understanding. These distractions may include the television, loud friends, activity in the space around you and a variety of other impediments. A distraction can even come in the form of a pet or a family member. To avoid situations where you are reading but unable to grasp what you are reading because of the events around you, seclude yourself. If you are a person who needs total silence when studying, go to a study room in the library or pick a time to study when no one is around. One distraction that many individuals have a hard time putting away is their cell phones. We are always connected to the world around us, which can sometimes be a distraction as well. Utilize applications which place a limit on the amount of time you can use social media. You can also place your device on do not disturb for added quiet time.
25. Imagine yourself starting.
When it’s time to study, it will do you no good to imagine yourself sitting on the beach drinking lemonade. This is unrealistic and puts studying further out of your mind. Instead, visualize yourself starting to study and visualize the expected outcome in your head. This strategy aids you in putting yourself in the mindset to study and make progress. When you can physically see, yourself doing something, it makes the task easier to accomplish.
26. Clean your workspace.
When your workspace is clean and tidy, you can focus and spend more time devoted to work. Having a clean workspace eliminates distractions and clutter from not just your physical environment but your mental one. This can be directly compared to not wanting to cook in a dirty kitchen. A clean workspace gives you a fresh start.
How to Make Yourself Study Everyday Tips
How to Make Yourself Study Everyday Tips27. Break the material into chunks.
Chunking the content, you are studying is important because the more time you spend on a subject, the less you can retain. After roughly 30 minutes, you begin to lose the ability to recall information. Breaking down the material into spans of twenty-five to 30 minutes ensures that you will remember the information you are reading. Chunking makes things easier to commit to memory. This can be used when studying or even useful when remembering things like telephone numbers.
28. Create a routine.
If studying is hard for you, create a routine or a schedule to study when the timing is most optimal for you. Creating a study plan allows you to see how you spend your time and plan for each class accordingly. This strategy allows time for you to finish assignments, study for exams, and review the information you are learning. This technique also helps you to evaluate your current study habits to see what works and what doesn’t. Each week on a Saturday or Sunday night, look at the plan for your upcoming week and adjust your schedule accordingly. Look at each class and check what needs to be done, if there is homework or if you have any tests or quizzes approaching. Based on the amount of work due or the upcoming events determine the amount of time which will be needed to complete these tasks and put them on your schedule.
29. Study with a friend.
Studying with a friend is a great way to stay motivated and force yourself to study every day. Studying with friends allows you to share knowledge and information that you may not have had before. It also makes studying fun. Studying with a friend also will enable you to compare notes and challenge each other’s viewpoints.
30. Exercise your brain.
Your brain is a muscle, and to keep it sharp, you must exercise it as you would your arms or your legs. Exercising your brain can aid in boosting your memory and make it easier to recall and retain information. There are several brain exercises you can do throughout the week or even before you study. One way is testing your recall skills. This can be done by creating a list. This can be a list of assignments, a grocery list, or a to-do list. These items shouldn’t be simple two-word tasks but more complicated to challenge your brain more. Attempt to recall everything on those lists and see what you remember. Another activity would be taking a cooking class or learning a new language. Both activities stimulate your brain and use a multitude of senses.
Even if you don’t dive headfirst into preparing a study routine. Make sure you create a schedule of when you will study a specific course. This can be extremely helpful when working through test time or when other assignments take priority.
32. Never study the same way twice.
Look for new and innovative ways to study, which will keep you intrigued and energized. Change the way you study every day. This can mean flashcards one day, self-quizzes on the next day and another creative outlet the next. Diagrams and infographics can also be a great way to study if you are a visual learner. These methods will keep you excited to study and eager to get to the next subject.
33. Teach someone else the material.
Teaching another person, the content you are studying is a great way to ensure that you understand the lesson. It also forces you to articulate your lesson in the most basic terms so that someone unfamiliar with the topic can understand it. If you are unable to explain a concept or word to someone else, there is an excellent chance that you do not genuinely know the material. Teaching someone also makes it easier to pinpoint areas that you are not strong in and may need more practice. You should continue to study the content until you can teach it to someone else effectively.
Wrapping Up How to Get Motivated to Study
There is no one size fits all equation for studying or motivating yourself to study. The things that may work for you may not work for someone else. For that reason, this list contains several items which can be tried and tested by many different people. This list includes all the information you need to get motivated and stay motivated. If you have made it to the end of this list and you are still asking the question, “Why do I have no motivation to do anything,” it’s time to read through this list again. If you’re tired and looking for ways to help you stay awake, take a power nap. If you’re bored with studying and looking for ways to stay motivated, use your study playlist to keep you going. These are all simple tips that won’t cost a dime but will provide ample benefits. Studying doesn’t have to be a chore if you stay motivated, you can get through anything.
Did you like this post? We have a ton of helpful study tips here, including 25 tips on how to ace a test and 25 tips on how to study for exams.
