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How to motivate yourself for studying?
Everyone who has been in school knows the feeling of staring blankly at a blank computer screen. Hoping that their term paper would just write itself.
Or they might have tried to read a book, only to discover that they’ve read the same paragraph ten different times and still don’t know what they were reading.
Oder, they decided to clear the clutter from under their beds rather than study.
The bottom line is that studying can be quite a drag. If you have a million other things that you want to do and an overwhelming amount to do, it can be hard to get started and difficult to complete.
There are scientifically-proven ways that you can keep your motivation high.
What is the Motivation to Study and Why Do You Need It?
Motivation is a Latin term that literally means “to move.” However, science has long been interested in what motivates someone to study.
According to researchers, motivation to learn can be either from within you or from outside. Motivation can come from within or outside of you. An external reward, like a good job or a promise of a car, can motivate you to study.
Researchers have recently discovered that motivation to learn is dependent on many factors. Some of these factors we can control. Rory Lazowski of James Madison University analyzed over 70 studies about what motivates students to study. Chris Hulleman of the University of Virginia also examined the topic. they published their paper titled “Motivation interventions in education: A meta-analytic review” in the Review of Educational Research.
Hulleman, Lazowski, and Hulleman discovered that motivation can be improved in a variety of ways. This results in positive results. I will describe seven methods that you can easily use to break through study blocks and push your learning forward.
Motivational Strategies
Recall your purpose
You can regain your motivation by reminding yourself why you are studying. Reassess why you chose the course you are currently taking and how you plan to use your time studying. Then write them down and place them on a piece paper. You can set goals that will motivate you to keep going with your academics.
It is important to assess the motivation behind your goals. You might find it easier to be motivated by positive motivations such as learning for fun or getting high grades in order to secure a job. You should also focus on what you love about each course or subject. This could be writing, researching, or sharing ideas with fellow students. This will help you to stay engaged.
Start the first step
It is easy to feel overwhelmed when you have a lot to read, do assignments, or prepare for exams. You can feel overwhelmed and find it difficult to know where to begin. This is when the temptation to procrastinate may arise. You can start small and take the first step. As you do this, the energy to carry on will increase. You don’t have to feel ready or motivated to do everything in one session. Instead, put your efforts into each step, beginning with the first.
Split tasks into manageable pieces
Take that first small step. Make sure you break up tasks into manageable parts. If you can break down large tasks into manageable chunks, it will make it less likely that you feel overwhelmed and unmotivated. If you have an essay to write, split it into research, writing, editing, and the final draft. Then, you can further break down each stage into smaller tasks such as researching on specific topics. This will allow you to tackle each step individually rather than feeling overwhelmed or tempted by the temptation to put it off.
Another way to split tasks is by using the Pomodoro Technique. This is simply about dividing tasks into smaller chunks, such as 15- or 25-minute intervals. The shorter time frames prevent you from becoming overwhelmed and losing motivation. It allows you to have a stronger focus. Between the intervals, you can stand up and take five-minute breaks. This allows you to do what you want. You can feel motivated even if you only take brief breaks or little rewards.
Maintain a study schedule
Students may find it helpful to stick to a study plan or routine in order to keep them motivated. A schedule will help you organize study times over a period of time, such as days, weeks, or months. This helps you stay focused and can keep you on track throughout the academic year. Create a digital or paper-based schedule and allocate study blocks to your days. This helps you establish a pattern and allows you to be consistent.
Join a Study group
Study groups are a great way for staying motivated. You can either create one with your friends or join an established study group. You can chat with others who share similar goals and follow your academic journey together. It is a good idea for students to form study groups with other people who are taking the same courses. You can exchange ideas and help each other meet deadlines. For more information on the various online study groups, contact your university.
Create a study space
You can create your perfect study space at home. You should have a quiet, well-organized, comfortable study area. Make sure you have comfortable seating and that there are no distractions, such as tablets and gaming consoles. It can help you stay motivated by taking a break to study at the library. Some people don’t prefer to study in silence. You can help this person by listening to relaxing music or natural sounds or even going to a nearby cafe. Other ways to avoid distractions are to turn off your smartphone and use the web-blocking extension on your browser.
Set clear goals
You might think, “My goal in life is to get a job and become rich.” However, it will not help you in school every day.
To increase motivation to study, you need to set goals that are closer to home. According to science, students who have clear goals are more likely to achieve higher grade points than those who have vague goals such as “I’ll just try my best”.
Aim to get an “A”, on a specific subject test. Decide to learn as much about a concept as possible because it will benefit you in the real world. To make sure you complete homework on time, set a deadline so that you can go over it again before you hand it in. Whatever your goal, ensure it is precise, pertinent, and timely.
You don’t need to be a performer, you must master.
It is frustrating to study hard for a test and then get a less-than-expected grade. Many students will then say to themselves, “If this happens when I study,”
Resist the urge.
You can use the test grades to set performance goals. Setting a goal for an “A” grade and not moving on, can lead to a lack of mastery.
Students who constantly strive for mastery and really learn what they’re studying will see their grades rise almost immediately.
You can also set mastery goals to increase your motivation to learn. It is easier to start learning everything if you really want it.
You are responsible for your learning
It can be tempting to blame other people for your grades. The teacher doesn’t like you. They have never taught you what you were tested on. Your homework assignment doesn’t apply. If you place blame on others, it is more likely that you will fail in tests, assignments, and projects.
When it comes to motivating yourself to study, taking ownership of your learning can make a huge difference. Not only will it help you to start studying, but you’ll also be more motivated to study when you have other distractions.
When you find yourself tempted to abandon your assignment in the middle of a task and start something new, pause. Take a deep breath. Take a deep breath. Next, speak out loud: “No one will learn this for you.” You may be surprised at the impact these words have on your focus.
A Growth Mindset is essential
Some people still believe that one is born smart or not. It’s impossible to change this belief. However, studies have shown that successful people believe that intelligence can be something that you develop over your lifetime. These people believe in a growth mindset.
If you have to deal with complex concepts or hard assignments, people who are growth-oriented tend to think “I don’t know this yet but if I work hard I will learn it.”
Researchers discovered that your brain is stronger when you take on difficult tasks. This belief not only helps you learn better, but it also increases your motivation and grades.
Next time you’re faced with a blank screen, or a difficult chapter in your textbook, remember “I don’t yet know this, but if we work hard, we will learn it.”
Find the Relevance
If you want to be annoying, tell your math teacher that algebra doesn’t have any relevance in the real world. You can also try to find a way to make the subject matter relevant to your everyday life. Study after study shows that high school students who were asked how their subject matter related to everyday life saw a substantial increase in their GPA.
You can start to study by writing down some ideas that will be useful in the future. This will help to make sense of your work, and it will also help you get started on an assignment.
Sometimes the connection between your learnings and how they apply to your daily life can be difficult to see. You can search the Internet for examples of applications related to your topic to see the real-life relevance.
Think about your future self
Imagine your life in 10 years. Are you successful? Do you have a fulfilling career you love? Are you in the best place in the world?
Now, think about how you will get there.
Some people can automatically connect their school work with the opportunity to attend a top college or train in a program that will help them achieve their goals. Some students may have trouble connecting the two.
The ability to visualize your future self is a skill that can improve motivation to learn. It has been shown to be associated with higher grades, lower truancy rates, and fewer discipline problems at school.
The next time you’re faced with an especially difficult assignment, close your eyes and imagine what your life will look like. You must do the assignment to create the life that you desire.
Recognize your personal values
What are your most important values? What are the top two or three qualities you have that you believe are most important? Do you try to be honest in all that you do? Do you value kindness? Are success and happiness the most important values in your life?
It can be helpful to take a few minutes every now and then to remind yourself of your values.
Family is more important than everything. Your ability to care for your family will drive you to do well at school and study. If honesty is your value, you won’t cheat on any test but you will still study hard.
Finding the motivation to study is more about changing how you view learning. You can stay focused and continue to learn by using just a few of the seven tips.
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