This is a question that I get asked a lot, so I thought I would write a blog post on it. Mock season is coming up for everyone so I thought it would be appropriate to write it now. For me it is this upcoming week but I know that most colleges do it before the Christmas break.
Just like everyone else, I have days where I feel super unmotivated and lazy, and it is perfectly OK to feel that way sometimes. Believe it or not, I am not studying 24/7 and when I feel super unmotivated, I give myself a break. However there are days where I feel out of it but I know I need to give myself a kick up the butt and hit the books. These are just a few of the things I do in order to get motivated to study.
1) Remember my goals
For me, goals are a huge attribute when it comes to my work ethic. I believe in setting myself goals, whether it be daily, weekly, monthly or even annually. I make sure to document them somewhere and refer back to them whenever I need to. In fact, I document my monthly goals here on my blog, which you should definitely read if you haven't already. Goals not only hold you to account but when you reach them, you feel so good about yourself. I love the feeling of working towards something and being able to meet it. Big or small, goals are important. I may set small goals that will help me reach my larger goals. For example, my BIG goal this year is to get into my first choice university, so I may make smaller goals like getting a certain grade in coursework or to write a certain amount of essays in the week, which ultimately contributes to meeting the larger goal.
TASK: Purchase or find a Journal/Notebook that you can document your goals in. Not only will it actually keep you organised but in the future you can look back at it and see how far you've come.
2) Follow Study Grams
This is something I discovered only a few months ago. It actually motivates me so much. You're probably thinking, what in the world is a study gram? A study gram is basically a community on Instagram dedicated to studies. It may sound stupid to some but for someone like me who loves academia, it is the most inspiring thing ever. It features a bunch of accounts and feeds created by actual students around the world. They include amazing looking notes (seriously, I get so jealous at some people's handwriting), pretty stationery, coffee and teas etc. I always feel the urge to actually study whenever I see them on my feed, its so weird how it helps me. Anytime I find myself being lazy and scrolling through Instagram when I should be studying, I see at least one in my feed and instantly open a book. Type into Instagram #studygram, #studyinspo or #studynotes to know exactly what I mean. It is so addictive, following all these accounts. I followed at least 10, the first day I ever knew of its existence.
My favourites:
@sherstudy
@studylustre
@study.relief
@studycationery
@emmastudies
@mylittlejournalblog
These are just a few that I love, I have soooo many more. I can even do another "Instagram feeds you NEED to follow" but study edition. Some of them are studying specific and others are associated, so they may be planning ones (because I love a good planner) or bullet journaling etc.
3) Buy new stationery!
My "favourite" thing about going back to school after the summer time is being able to use all new stationery. Yeah I know, what a nerd, but its true. Its actually sad how much staplers and notebooks make me happy. I feel like once my pencil case or bag starts to lack, so does my motivation to study. I've found that I make nicer notes and generally try harder when I treat myself to new stationery. Whether it be buying new pens, new highlighters or a new pencil case, once I get them, I feel so much more motivated to study, since I get to use them. I tend to get all new stuff for every term.
4) Study with a friend
I find it so much easier to study when I study with people (unless they're really distracting). You can help each other out on topics you're unsure of, test each other on exam questions, rant to each other about how much you hate exams (@charlotte loool). It is so much easier to study when you have someone with you who is in the same boat as you. Around exam season, I love going on little study dates at the library or a coffee shop because it gets you out and socialising, whilst doing what you have to do.
5) REWARD YOURSELF
I'm still learning to listen to this one but It really is important. Its so easy to complete something and then move on to the next task without actually paying attention to your achievements. You're far more likely to feel unmotivated to revise if you're constantly going through the list of things to do all day, everyday but not rewarding yourself for it. Take a break, go out with some friends, buy yourself something nice. If you treat studying like your own little competition, its not as boring. Once you've met your deadlines for the week, treat yourself to the weekend off or buy yourself a pizza, because why not? Acknowledge your hard work and you'll feel encouraged to keep working hard.
6) Just forget it Kid
Sometimes, you try so hard to study but its just not going to happen. You try your best and you don't succeeeeed. You try everything you can but its just not going to happen. Sometimes I am so tired that I don't even want to think about picking up a pen, so I don't. Take care of your physical and mental health. Don't push too far. I have had to learn this the hard way so take it from me and just forget it kid!
So these are ways that I have learnt to get motivated to study. There are so many other methods. I'm sure there are people with much better ideas than me but these are just some things I do. I hope they are somewhat helpful.
Thanks for reading,
Have a great day x
