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What’s the harm in watching one more YouTube video or another episode of this new TV series? Well, you’ll probably find yourself realizing you haven’t done anything the whole day.
There’s no mystery what the consequences are. You’ll have to cram your studying in one night before the assignment is due or the test. Or, you’ll need to employ the help of an essay writing service via websites like https://essaywritingservice.com if there’s no time left for cramming. Needless to say, this isn’t healthy nor efficient.
The good news is, it doesn’t have to be this way. There are plenty of ways you can turn studying into a productive session instead of another boring chore.
What’s even better, anyone can achieve this kind of zen if they give it enough thought and make some commitments along the way. Here are just six ways studying harder can be made easier that are worth trying out.
6 Ways to Motivate Yourself to Study Harder
1. Find Your Reward System
It’s as simple as it can be. Tell yourself, “Once I do X, I’ll allow some time for Y”. The reward itself has to be significant enough to be wanted (and realistic enough, too). It can be anything from a delicious treat to watching another episode of a favorite TV series.
There’s also the gummy bear method that went viral a while ago. In case you’ve missed it, the idea is to reward yourself with a gummy bear after each paragraph of the reading that needs to be done. Then, eat one after another once you reach the end of each paragraph.
The trickiest part with the reward system is to follow through on the deal made.
For example, you promise yourself to spend 30 minutes practicing a hobby after studying. But then you’d do it anyway without doing homework because you think it’ll get you into a productive state of mind.
To avoid this, stick to the deal you’ve made with yourself. No takebacks. Saying what the tradeoff is out loud can help in cementing it.
2. Stick to a Routine
Motivation isn’t everything. It’s impossible to feel excited about the prospect of studying every time you need to do your homework. Self-discipline, on the other hand, is how you get things done.
What’s more, creating a new conditional behavior is easier than some might think. Once you have a routine, your brain will gradually become used to doing some lifting at a specific time or under certain circumstances. You’d be surprised how powerful the force of habit is.
So, what should this routine include? Give enough thought to:
- Study area. Set up a dedicated space for studying and studying only. No watching YouTube or scrolling Facebook while being there. Keeping it clean and organized is also a good idea, it’ll help you focus.
- Schedule. Set a specific time for the study session. Either choose the duration and do as much as you can or follow a short to-do list without a time constraint.
- “Before” and “after” the session. Find out what gets you in a good mood and focused. Make it a habit to do it before studying. It can be taking a walk, exercising, or listening to music. After you’re done, get used to rewarding yourself for the effort.
3. Join (or Form) a Study Group
Each of the group members makes a commitment to get certain things done before the deadline. These promises keep everyone responsible and accountable.
That’s because if you don’t finish that assignment on time, you’d feel guilty or ashamed. Subconsciously (or very much consciously) you’ll strive to avoid feeling this way. So, this will be a powerful boost for the study sessions.
4. Exercise to Jumpstart Your Brain
It’s not obligatory to hit the gym for a 45-minute workout. But going for a brisk 15-minute walk is enough to help any brain get into that productive mode.
That’s because exercise leads to the release of endorphins. These hormones will make anyone feel more motivated and improve even the nastiest mood.
Exercising is especially helpful when you’re experiencing that brain fog and/or fatigue. The idea of going out may fill you only with dread in this condition. But you’ll be grateful you decided to go for that walk. You’ll feel refreshed and energized.
5. Stop Looking for Excuses: Just Get Started
Sometimes, all you need is to realize you’ve been finding excuses to avoid homework. Once the thought “I still haven’t started studying” pops into your mind, the best thing to do is just do it. Just. Get. Started.
Often, the first five or ten minutes are the scariest. So, start with something small, choose the easiest task on the list. If the perspective of staring at a blank page inspires only anxiety, just write down everything that comes to your mind to overcome it.
6. Remember Why You Do This
Self-reflection is a powerful tool for getting some insights – and for finding your personal motivation to excel at studying. Here are some questions worth pondering:
- Is it important for me to perform well academically? Why or why not?
- What goals do I want to achieve in the long run? Do I plan to study abroad, land an internship or a grant, get a prestigious job?
- How can grades impact my chances of achieving those goals?
- Do I experience any negative emotions associated with studying? Which ones and why?
- What are my main distractions? Why do I find myself procrastinating? Is there a pattern?
- What makes me feel “in the zone”?
Be honest with yourself when answering these questions. Don’t try to twist the responses to make them more impressive or in line with someone’s expectations.
These insights will be your light at the end of the tunnel. Whenever things get tough, remember them. Put them up on a wall to re-inspire yourself when needed.
Final Words
There’s no 100% efficient solution for everyone when it comes to motivation. It’s a deeply personal matter, so what works for some will bring nothing but misery to others. The best you can do is try different approaches until you find what works great for you.
A word of caution, though: don’t put additional pressure on yourself for not studying enough. Don’t be too hard on yourself. It’ll have the effect that’s completely opposite of what you strive for.
Instead, be gentle and forgiving to yourself. Remember: developing habits and introducing meaningful changes into your lifestyle will take time.
Thank you!
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