How to Get Motivated When It’s Time to Hit the Books

Sitting at your desk and doing your homework isn’t very exciting, however, it’s an important responsibility. Fortunately, it’s not as difficult as it may sometimes feel. Even just a little bit of motivation goes a long way and will help sustain you throughout the week.

You don’t have to give-up your hobbies and interests to devote your life to school. However, it’s important to understand why you’re working so hard and to believe in yourself so that you have the confidence to focus and work efficiently.

Let Your Walls Talk

PBteen has tons of decor that you can display in your bedroom or study space. From inspirational slogans to dreamy photographs of all the places you can explore in the world, giving yourself a positive setting to work in can help influence your attitude. A positive attitude is almost as important as your organization and ability to focus. Therefore, the right decor can help put a smile on your face and strengthen your faith in your ability.

Stay Focused, Stay Confident and Stay Motivated

Don’t let distraction get you down. If you have important study materials on your phone or a tablet, it’s a good idea to transfer them to your notebook or computer. Productivity apps that block distraction and prevent you from visiting certain websites and using the apps that distract you the most can also be a helpful idea.

Make a List

Now that you’ve boosted your confidence, focus on what you need to accomplish. Narrowing your focus makes studying a lot less intimidating. Set a specific amount of time that you want to work, and make a realistic list of tasks you can accomplish in that time. Use a calendar to stay on top of what you need to do and when; this makes list-making a lot easier. Break your tasks into smaller categories within your list. That way, you can cross things off when you finish them, such as a specific chapter in a book, and you’ll have a positive visual that you’re actually accomplishing your goals. That positive feeling can be incredibly motivating and will help sustain you as deadlines and due dates approach.

Plan Something Fun for Later

Having something to look forward to later in the day, whether it’s playtime with your dog, a fun dinner with your family or time lounging around on the couch with your friends, can serve as a reward. If you do your best while you’re studying, you’ll feel better about relaxing and doing something more fun later on. If you find yourself getting distracted or feeling discouraged, remind yourself of your goals and what you have to look forward to later on in the day or week.

Think of Rewards to Come

It’s hard to keep this in mind sometimes, but the work you’re doing in the present will definitely have long-term consequences and will pay off in the future. Learning how to keep yourself motivated and clear the necessary hurdles is going to put you in a better position for future success. Have something in your study area to remind you of all the things you want to do in your life so you can remember why you’re working hard in the first place. Keeping motivated and staying confident are skills that need to be learned and practiced.