It is a general observation of the last decade that with the development of technology and digital media, the focus of students on their academic journey has significantly shifted.
Thanks to the distractions from media, online gaming and streaming platforms, it has become increasingly difficult for students to maintain consistent study habits and achieve their career goals.
Hence, as the situation called for it, here are eight ways to stay motivated in the academic journey. All of them are tried and tested for results so, just jump on the bandwagon and let’s make it happen.
8 Motivation Hacks to Focus and Study Smarter
Staying driven about their studies or work is not just important for undergraduates but also in many other professions. For instance, imagine you are a writer currently working on an autobiography ghostwriting project.
You too, like students, need to study the subject and client before you accurately capture their story. Hence, you must carefully set your focus, remain disciplined and use effective studying practical hacks, like the ones discussed below.
However, do not just know about them, try to find the right strategy for yourself and incorporate it into your routine. This will not just help boost your productivity but also elevate your grades.
Set Clear Goals
First, you need to set your goals for each study session. So, make sure that they are SMART – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely. Having them will provide a clear roadmap for what you want in that particular learning hour.
This not only gives you a sense of direction but also helps you track your progress over time. Moreover, when you set small, realistic objectives for the session, you create a series of milestones that help boost your confidence and motivation.
Create a Study Schedule
A schedule is like making a plan with greater clarity in mind. Hence, you can try this method of planning your study time, allocating specific periods for different subjects based on the exam date or complexity.
When you do this, it helps you manage your time effectively and ensure that you give adequate attention to each subject. In addition, when you follow with consistency it supports you in establishing a regular study habit. Besides that it also reduces procrastination episodes, preventing you from burnout and focus interruptions.
Go the Pomodoro Way
Next up is the Pomodoro way where you study in short but focused bursts of twenty-five minutes. Then you follow it with a 5-minute break. This trick works wonders for the human brain by naturally allowing it to maintain its attention for short periods.
In addition to that, by breaking your study time into regular intervals, you can stay focused without feeling overwhelmed. This would also prevent mental fatigue and keep you refreshed. Hence, try this and if it suits your routine, you can achieve significant success in studying with enthusiasm.
Eliminate Distractions
Before you eliminate a distraction, it is important to identify them correctly. So first, spend some time with yourself and reflect on everything. Then identify the areas of conflict and subsequently, remove the potential distractions.
By removing disturbances like phones, social media and noisy surroundings, you successfully create a special and conducive space for your study sessions. Here you can sit in peace and allow your mind to fully concentrate. Furthermore, this trick allows you to significantly improve your attention span.
Stay Organized
The fifth way of escaping the demotivated academic journey is by staying organized. Yes, this might seem stupid to some but once you try it, you realize the difference it makes. It starts from basic habit changes like keeping your study material and notes in a proper arrangement.
If you do this, you spend less time searching for what you need and more time focusing on the content. In addition, if the notes are neatly written and arranged then, it leads to a clearer mind and productivity booster. So, try using folders, binders and other digital tools to categorize your subjects and know for yourself.
Introduce Rewards
The following trick is used by many Ghostwriting UAE companies. What they do is that a reward is introduced upon the completion of a target/task. Then as the incentive theory suggests, people feel enthusiastic and they work better. You can apply this theory in your case effortlessly.
Imagine rewarding yourself for completing a chapter’s revision. Show uplifting would that be? We are sure that you would want to do one more for the next treat. However, what can be the treats, is a nice question. It could be anything that you like.
Mix-Up Study Techniques
There will be times when you don’t feel like doing anything. That will be the height of demotivation but worry not. We have just the cure – mixed study techniques. To be clear, there are no rules and limits here. You get to decide what you do and where you begin.
Just pick some of your favourite techniques that work well for you such as flashcards, summary writing, teaching etc. Different methods like these will stimulate different cognitive processes, helping the brain to remain engaged and understand the information better.
Stay Physically Active
Last of all, the eighth way out of this problem is to engage in regular exercise and take breaks to stretch or go for a walk. These are some basic things that we take for granted in our daily routine but they matter a lot to our mental and physical abilities such as our cognitive functions.
So, try doing regular body movements to boost blood flow to the brain and enhance your concentration on the studies. On the other hand, taking breaks can help you with elevating your energy levels. For example, a walk outside can clear your head much better than playing video games.
The Frequently Asked Questions
- What if I feel overwhelmed by my workload?
Feeling overwhelmed is nothing to be afraid of as it is manageable. All you have to do is take a deep breath and prioritize your tasks. Then make a schedule and take regular breaks to avoid burnout.
- How should I deal with exam anxiety?
Exams do be scary but if you prepare well in advance and practice some relaxation techniques then the anxiety episodes will be easier to tackle. Other than that, for instant relief you can try the success visualization trick.
- What if I can’t find a quiet place to study?
Always remember, the perfect moment does not exist. You have to create it by using noise-cancelling headphones, finding a local library or creating a study corner at home.
- What tools can help me balance studies with other commitments?
You can use planners, calendar apps, task management apps (e.g. Trello), study timers and reminders to balance studying with other commitments effectively. These options will support you in staying organized.
The Final Words on Studying Motivation
To sum everything up – staying interested and inspired in your studies can be challenging but highly rewarding. Hence, you need to follow all or perhaps at least a few of the above-discussed tips and tricks.
You can start by setting clear goals and creating a consistent study schedule. Then you can mix up your study techniques to see a bigger difference. On the other hand, remember to take regular breaks and incorporate physical activity into your routine to keep your mind fresh.
Moreover, stay connected to your reasons for studying and remind yourself every day about your long-term goals. Then finally, keep your study environment organized and distraction-free.