The integration of excellent motivation methods and the knowledge on how to get motivated to study can have a very positive effect for a student’s studies.
A motivated student will find it easier to do all the necessary tasks that need to be done; it will especially allow students to study a lot more focused and with more concentration. Motivating yourself to study is especially helpful when you feel a lack of motivation or face procrastination during your studies.
The following tips on how to study effectively will help you to become motivated to study and to beat procrastination!
Effective Motivation Techniques for Students
How to become motivated to study?
I. The motivational power of having a goal!
One of the most effective motivational techniques students can apply is to set themselves well thought-out goals and objectives. These aims could be either short-term goals (e.g. about an upcoming exam) or long-term goals (e.g. about the achievements you want to reach during your studies in the university). Objectives and aims are one of the best sources of motivation, as they will keep you focused and enable you to “do whatever it takes” to accomplish your goals. Furthermore, cleverly chosen objectives will inspire you to greater heights, allowing you to reach your true potential. A very positive side-effect of an excellent goal is that it will drastically increase your perseverance.
Important tips for goal setting:
- #1 Write your goals down
- #2 Avoid vagueness, negations and necessities
- #3 Split complex goals into main targets and sub-goals
- #4 State how you intent to achieve your goal
- #5 Visualize the accomplishment of your objective and what it feels like
- #6 Gratification: reward yourself once the goal is reached
For more details and an in-depth explanation on the above named aspects of the best goal setting strategies, visit How to set goals effectively?
II. Gratification: Reward yourself!
Personally, I don’t consider the act of rewarding oneself – once a goal is accomplished – as a motivational technique for students per se, but the positive effect that a gratification can have on your motivation to study is stupendous, hence I have no other choice than including the fantastic aspect of gratification into this article. If you feel the urge to become motivated to study, set yourself a goal (as discussed in I. The motivational power of having a goal) and determine an appropriate reward once the objective is accomplished. It’s really that simple, but so effective. By rewarding yourself, whenever a goal is achieved, your brain elicits positive emotions, leading to the realization that an effort results in a positive reward. Furthermore, you will – consciously or subconsciously – recognize that a high effort will result in an even more positive gratification. In accord with the formula {high effort + accomplishment of the objective = gratification} you start linking hard work with a gratification. Basically, you will associate upcoming challenges (and necessary efforts to reach a goal) as another chance to get rewarded (= positive emotions). Hence you increase your motivation to study hard which allows you to maintain your motivation on a high level, until the objective is accomplished. Also, your willingness to make an expenditure (e.g. studying) in order to accomplish the objective (e.g. an excellent grade) will raise, when having a reward in mind that you have desired for long.
Please keep in mind that this method can only stir your motivation to study as long as you apply the simple rule: {demanding objective = glorious reward} and {simple goal = small reward}. Also, it’s crucial that you DO NOT reward yourself if you fail and if you were not able to reach the objective as determined. Furthermore, the reward should be received once the goal is reached, not any time prior to this.
Important tips for rewarding yourself to become motivated to study:
- #1 Set a goal & determine an appropriate reward for it’s accomplishment
- #2 Associate the efforts you take with the positive reward
- #3 Ambitious challenges require outstanding rewards
- #4 Basic objectives should only be rewarded slightly
- #5 Do not allow yourself to receive a reward if you fail
- #6 Reward yourself subsequently after achieving the goal
III. Just do it & start studying
I know that whenever you feel a lack of motivation to get started with studying there are a dozen other activities that sound by far more interesting than studying. Sometimes you would rather watch TV, an episode of your favorite sitcom, the new movie that has hit cinemas, listen to music or hang out with your friends. The simple trick to overcome this dilemma is to just get going. Start studying, no matter what. “Boost” yourself to get started with studying, no matter if you feel tired or if the teaching material isn’t interesting at all.
“It doesn’t matter where you go, as long as you get going.”
Why am I recommending “to just do it“, whenever you lack the motivation to study? Simply because it will allow you to free your mind from all kinds of negative thoughts about being lazy or lacking the right motivation. Basically, instead of wasting important time worrying about being unenthusiastic and lazy (in short: playing the victim) you take action. You will notice that once you’re getting started “just for a couple of minutes“, time will fly by and you will get used to your tasks. Once you got into the habit of studying, it will feel just natural after a while to remain on your tasks for longer periods of time.
Important tips to just get started with studying:
- #1 “Force” yourself to do 15-20 minutes of studying for now
- #2 Don’t agonize yourself by picturing the alternatives to studying
- #3 Try not to procrastinate.
- #4 The more you focus on your task, the faster you’re finished
- #5 Imagine the negative consequences of prolonging studying
- #6 If you’re tired, get up and jump on the spot, take a shower (or the like)
- #7 Prevent distractions (TV, internet, email, telephone, smartphone)
IV. One step at a time – avoid prolonging
Let’s face it, one of the main reasons we students are not very enthusiastic about studying is the fact that we prolong the start of the necessary study work for too long. As a result, we fail to grasp the subsequent teaching and learning contents, which forces us to become self-tutors that have to teach themselves everything that was missed. In the end, that’s a very time-consumptive method of studying, and a direct result of prolonging studying. The alternative is to constantly keep up with your tasks in college or university on a daily basis. This – by all means – doesn’t suggest that you will have to study for hours each day, from the beginning to the end. Instead, it means that you keep going one step at a time, which allows you to grasp subsequent contents and to stay ahead with your tasks. If it takes you 10 minutes each day to organize and revise the contents you learned in the present day, that’s fine! That way, you will understand what’s being discussed, thereby you can avoid the accumulation of gaps in knowledge.
At the beginning of your term, you could write down the specific goals you aim to accomplish (as discussed in I. The motivational power of having a goal). Consider this to be your letter of motivation for the upcoming semester. Whenever you feel a lack of motivation, or disinterest in studying, grab this letter and reassure yourself of the higher purpose on why you are studying. Realize that you have a “once in a lifetime” opportunity; you are young and entitled to study, so you might as well make the best of it by working and studying hard and by doing the best you can to get accepted at the destination of your choice. Otherwise, you might regret it at a later point in time.
V. Music – there is no easier way to get motivated
Music is a wonderful way to stir your motivation, as it elicits positive emotions. If chosen wisely, a song can get you powerfully motivated to study; it can cause a spirit of optimism which evokes the epic feeling of being able to do anything. When compared with other techniques to get motivated to study, listening to music is by far the simplest way to become excited of studying. As a rule of thumb, you shouldn’t opt for ballads, chill-out or lounge music. Instead, choose songs that you find motivating and inspiring, songs that immediately energize your whole body and make you smile from ear to ear. So, grab your headphones, turn on your stereo equipment and listen to some fantastic songs, for instance Jorge Quintero’s 300 violin orchestra:
I really hope you like the song and if it stirred motivation then it’s even the better! In general, you can listen to any kind of music, as long as it energizes you, makes you happy and increases your motivation to “get going”. In the following, I’ve prepared a short list of suggestions for music that could help you to get motivated to study.
Suggestions of very motivational songs:
- #1 Steve Jablonsky – Arrival to Earth (Transformers Soundtrack)
- #2 Daft Punk – The Game has Changed (Tron: Legacy Soundtrack)
- #3 Hans Zimmer – Time (Inception Soundtrack)
- #4 Paul Engemann – Push it to the Limit
- #5 Nas ft. P. Diddy – Hate me now
- #6 Queen – We Will Rock You
- #7 Phil Collins – In the Air Tonight
- #8 ACDC – Thunderstruck
- #9 Blur – Song 2
Hopefully I covered a broad range of tastes in music, for further suggestions see The Best and Inspiring Orchestral Movie Soundtracks and the Most Motivational Songs.
VI. How bad do you want to succeed?
The foundation of all motivation – not only the motivation to study – will make or break with one question, “How bad do you want to succeed?“. If you want something bad enough and you really want it to happen, you are motivated to the hilt. It’s as simple as that; you know it and I know it. The question is, do you really – thoroughly – want to succeed in your graduation or study? And if not, why is that? Get to the bottom of this question and find out what you can do to make you want to succeed in school, college or university. Focus on the higher purpose of your education, i.e. getting enrolled in your favorite college/university, earning an door-opening degree or being recruited by that top employer you ever dreamed of. If you want to succeed in life bad enough, some lack of motivation to study will not be a difficult obstacle to overcome, will it?
Important tips to increase your desire to succeed:
- #1 Find out the reason why you are studying!
- #2 What is your driving desire to succeed in school, college or univ.?
- #3 Where do you want to be after finishing your education?
VII. A positive approach!
Your attitudes and mindsets about university/college can have a huge impact on your motivation! Having a mindset like: “University is a place where I face daily anxieties and get mentally tortured by all my professors.” is not helpful and will not help you to get motivated. But if you have a positive attitude towards your studies (e.g. you see university/college as a chance to gain important knowledge, to develop yourself and to get ready to start your career) you will be able to boost motivation, just by having a positive attitude towards it. A positive approach towards your studies, your fellow students and professors will help you to keep your academic motivation on a constant high level.
VIII. Negative feelings can kill your motivation!
You will be confronted during your studies – every once in a while – with negative emotions such as anger, anxiety and disappointment. These emotions can decrease your motivation drastically, which means you will begin to lack drive with negative results for your studies. My tip for you is to not waste your precious time and energy on negative feelings/emotions and attitudes towards professors, fellow students or situations you neither can change nor control. A lot of professors can be a real pain (see: How to deal with difficult professor personalities). The constant pressure to perform or the lack in social skills of some can be very frustrating. However, you are not able to change them, so anger would be an unnecessary and inefficient reaction towards their behavior. Pay their negative behavior back with excellent marks, instead! Anything else is contra productive (for you). The “pay back” attitude is also an interesting method for those who want to transform their negative emotions into even more motivation to study.
IX. True interest!
Another very effective motivational element that helps you to get motivated to study is your interest in the subject. True interest! If you are able to develop a true interest in what you are studying it will help you in becoming very motivated! If you know the difference between a task you dislike and an assignment you enjoy you know what I mean!
Important tips to become truly interestd in studying:
- #1 Get curious about the subject
- #2 Read interesting books, magazines or articles on the topic
- #3 Team up with others that are interested in the subject
X. Beat procrastination and distraction!
Procrastination – or any kinds of distractions – can have a negative influence on your ability to get motivated to study in general. Therefore it is important that you create a space to study where you do not get distracted by any means. Just by sitting in a room where you cannot procrastinate or distract yourself will help you to get started with your studies. Cut out any kind of distraction (TV, radio, mobile phone, internet, telephone, etc.) that could interrupt you while studying.
The above mentioned motivation techniques will help you to know how to get motivated to study!
The article “Ultimate Motivation Techniques – How to motivate yourself effectively” will show you 10 in-depth techniques that will boost your motivation!
You might also like the following articles:
- How to Become King of College
- How to Overcome Exam Nerves
- How to Deal With Difficult Professor Personalities
- Study Time Management
- The Secret to Peak Motivation
- Amazing Self-Motivation Techniques
Photo by Horia Varlan
The article How to Get Motivated to Study was presented by Success Blog.
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I appreciate your opinion steve. But however i am in the middle of my engineering i just cant step back,two more years to complete my course.. if you can help me to keep myself motivated from studying as well as working i would be really very grateful to you..
Hi Arif, okay if its a matter of motivation here we go:
Now, you wrote that you are in the 6th semester, so you have 3-5 semesters left. That means its going to be another 1-2 intensive years for you, but these are some very important years for the rest of your life. Imagine the result that quitting would have on the outcome of your life. If you do not want to wake up 10 years later regretting that you did not finish your studies, then you will have to bear this burden for the next months and years. It’s difficult but if you focus and concentrate for this period and give your very best you will tremendously benefit from it.
You will emerge from this experience stronger and better than before. You will be more knowledgeable and wiser. This gives you a huge advantage when you compete with others that did not have to go through the same as you had to!
The next one to two years are going to be important for you, so give everything you can on this final spurt! If you want to you can bookmark this page and make it a monthly habit to check by to renew your motivation.
Thank you for giving me an unbelievable future I never could have dreamed of.
Thank you for this incredible opportunity to improve my life in many ways.I will ensure that i strictly follow all your words… I felt you were a great speaker.. cheers mate..
You’re welcome! I wish you good luck and I’m very sure you will succeed. Never cease to believe in yourself and you’ll make it.
I m in 6th semestr in my engineering life.
I fail in 3 subject of my previous semester’s.
Plz motivate me.
I want to study serious and want to go for gud job.
Plz steve help me ;-(
Hi Aakash, please read the article it should boost your motivation and provides the methods and techniques that help you to motivate yourself. And please do not forget that it is YOUR responsibility to motivate yourself day after day after day. There will be no one else who will take up the role of the clown to motivate you. In the end, you are the only one that can motivate yourself in an effective manner. And quite frankly no one else will take that responsibility for you. Learn to motivate yourself, the tools are provided in this article. The best motivational power comes from within you, when you motivate yourself.
I am first year bachelor at a law university..I already have 3 resits to cover and a total of 7 subjects to study until the beggining of april…I always have a negative approach and everytime I study, I get depressed by the amount I have to cover and get distracted easily.Just the fact that I have so much to cover, makes me throw the books away and do something else.Almost everyone tells me that it is impossible to study everything until beginning of April, and I am seriously considering of dropping out of the university.What’s the point of studying all these if even by that way i still won’t be able to succed here?Steve, please give me the motivation to continue…
Hi Valeri, when you are confronted with a pile of work it’s important that you work it off constantly and step by step. Sometimes the amount one has to study is overwhelming, but if you approach it step by step, day by day, you will soon notice that it reduces until you have finished it all. However, it is important that you do not allow yourself to be distracted while studying.
When I read your comment I get the impression that you are not too motivated to study law. Why is that? Become aware of the true reason you are studying. Is it that your parents or someone else wants you to study law, or did you always wanted to become a lawyer? (This makes a great difference motivation-wise!). Maybe you want to become a great lawyer one day, maybe you want to become a lawyer that defends the innocent in court. Whatever the reason is, be aware of it and channel your motivation out of this goal! If on the other hand your parents or anybody else wants you to be a lawyer, then you should reconsider your choice, because it is not your own goal and you will never be able to peak motivation from a goal that is not yours.
Studying is just the (sometimes very unpleasant) journey that leads you to your goal. And yes, you will have to make a lot of sacrifices to reach your goal, but in the end only you can know if it was worth it. I think if you become an amazing lawyer that helps other people that cannot defend themselves in court, then by all means that is a truly worthwhile prospect. Read the article and implement the techniques into your life and you will see that you will be able to motivate yourself in an efficient manner.
I am in my schools and studying seems like a burden. And believe me I really want to study and I keep on searching things like..how to study well..how to get motivated to study..and the list goes on. I am no poor learner it’s just that I am unable to study for who knows what reason. Please help me
Hi Sanu, I think you have some kind of mental blockage that prevents you from doing well in your studies. You write that “studying seems like a burden” and that you’re “unable to study”. Why is that? Try to find the reason for this blockage and get rid of it. Whatever the blockage is, break free from it and you will see that studying becomes easier, especially as you are no poor learner, as you wrote.
Hello, Steve!
I’m a 3-rd year International Relations student. I chose this major myself, but sometimes I have problems with the lack of interest. I don’t know why this happens, may be because of bad mood or tiredness? You know, it seems to me that I need more energy than I have, because I become exhausted very quickly. I participate in a lot of social activities in my university and in the city level and also I’m the coordinator of students charity club. I try doing everything to make my student life interesting. So every day I have a lot of job to do, but I like it. The problem is that when I come home and it’s time to do my home tasks I’m very tired and want to sleep. And it’s only home tasks. But as you know students get only 10-15% of knowledge from university and other 90% is the result of self-studying. So, I even cannot do this 10-15%. There is no talking about self-study.) The decision may be is to give up all my other duties and concentrate on studying… But from the other hand I see people who have more work but they do everything in time. I’m also easily distracted. And when I have time it’s just to difficult for me to start doing something concerning studying. I can surf internet or chat with somebody and it doesn’t make me exhausted but when I start studying I feel that I want to sleep…
I hope you could give me a wise advice.)
Hi Medet, I’ve got an idea for you. Have you considered to do the 10-15% of university-related tasks BEFORE you focus on the other activities (social activities, city level, coordination of the charity club, etc.)? That way you can invest a majority of your energy into your studies (which is the most important part while at university of course), before you focus on other activities. Also, you could avoid the tiredness problem, as you would have already finished all your study-related work when you move your attention on to other activities. Hence you might get tired during some other activities, but you’ll avoid getting tired while studying.
That’s just an idea, however, it might be difficult to be implemented if your other activities are on a fixed schedule or have to be done before you can focus on studying.
Another option to circumvent the “tiredness problem” would be to study early in the morning. That takes a lot of self-discipline, but you will notice that your mind feels really fresh, calm and unstressed right after waking up. That’s the perfect time to put some information inside!
If that doesn’t work out either there’s still the option to reduce some of your tasks that are not related to your studies so that you can focus more on studying.
I hope that helps!
That’s a really good idea! I also was thinking about it. Yes, some of my activities should be done during my presence in university, and that’s why I do them before studying. But when I come home I also start concentrating on my other activities first and only then on studying. So, I also think it’s better to start from studies. Thank you for such a good advice, Steve!
You’re welcome Medet. I’m glad I could help you. You’ll see that the own ideas that you find will work even better than anybody else’s advice, as you know yourself better than anybody else!
Hi steve a lot i try bt i can’t overcome my laziness you have said thnk ths and that about future thnk negative consequences about it bt as i reached in the state of laziness thn my mind doesn’t thnk a single line. And when i knw all these then my mind force it to do later my biggest problem also is procrastinating i m not overcoming it a lot i try . If it works then works only 1 day and from tomorrow onwards i couldn’t study. I couldn’t undrstnd what stop me . If ths cntinues my whole life will be ruined i knw that bt ths also can’t bring fear in me. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HELP…..
Hi Gaurav, I think it’s great that you’ve already identified what the problem is. That way, you’re already one step closer towards solving the problem.
I think your laziness is a pattern that has become dominant in your life. Your brain is used to it, you’re used to it and so it’s perfectly normal for you. Now is the time to change that. Your laziness is a vicious circle, as you constantly repeat to yourself that your lazy. I’m lazy – I’m lazy – I’m lazy. Stop that. Focus on your problem and try to work on it. Do it one step at a time. Get out of the environment that keeps you lazy and go to your library (or anywhere else) instead, when you need to study and when you need to be concentrated/focused. Do not be set off after initial hardship but continue on your journey against fighting off your laziness.
If you really want a solution: Turn off your TV & computer, disconnect from the internet, turn off your mobile phone for some days. You will notice that you procrastinate less (as you have nothing else left that diverts your attention). From this point onwards you will be capable to fight your laziness and the issue with procrastinating.
What is intended by this is that you become so bored (as there is nothing left that could allow you to procrastinate) you will eventually end up doing the things you need to do, i.e. studying, etc. Turn off the TV and computer, stick to this decision and you will see laziness and procrastination will reduce drastically.
Another time ur wrds created magic steve..
I thnk you correctly identified my problem that i with myself punishng all time that i am lazy. Now ths thng i have to changed. And also avoid other distraction . Yeah i knw that i am very very very hardworking and i cn do anythng just was a little ignition requrd thnxx…..
Hi Gaurav. I think we all need every once a while that little spark that ignites us and boost our motivation! Glad I could help you!
Set yourself ambitious goals, work hard to reach that goals and generously reward yourself for reaching your goals. That’s one of the most effective ways to boost your motivation and to keep it at a high level for a long period of time, until another spark ignites your motivation again!
hi i m doing certified financial planner . . i hav to pass 5 tough exams to become CFP. i study alot and i gave one exam of it but i cudnt pass it. can u suggest me sumthing plz
Hi rucha, I think I would need some more information on your situation in order to give you any kind of recommendation. What’s your problem? Why are you having trouble getting motivated to study? etc.
Another time ur wrds created magic steve..
I thnk you correctly identified my problem that i with myself punishng all time that i am lazy. Now ths thng i have to changed. And also avoid other distraction . Yeah i knw that i am very very very hardworking and i cn do anythng just was a little ignition requrd thnxx…..
Hi there. M in Govtt job and I was having my assessment interview this year. We have to got some marks in our performance report so as to become eligible for assessment. But my boss has not given me the marks. What should I do? On one hand, m looking to change the job & other hand, m thinking to request him for increase in my marks.
My 2nd problem is that people back bite me. I never bitch abt any1 but why this happen wid me? What should I do so that my energy & focus remains streamlined. Pls help me out. Thanks in advance.
Regarding your first problem, have you already asked your boss politely if he could give you your marks? Show him that these marks are really important to you, your assessment and your future career. Maybe he just forgot or wasn’t aware of how important they were to you. I think, however, that it might be difficult in persuading him in increasing your marks. That depends on the relationship you have with your boss and whether or not he thinks an increase is justified.
The second problem, well. Make yourself aware of the following: You cannot change the behavior of other people. You can neither change what they think about you nor how they behave towards you. Which means that no matter what you do, there will always be people that do not approve of what you do. There will always be someone that does not like you in general. But this is okay, because this is not your problem. What other people think of you is none of your business. You cannot change how they perceive you, so it shouldn’t concern you what they think of you.
Focus on your behavior and actions, make sure that you adhere to your own rules and most important of all: make sure that you only do what you think is right so that you can still look at yourself in the mirror so to speak.
Thanks Sir for your help. Yes, I have asked my boss very politely that I want marks & he told me that he will see. You told me absolutely correct about other people back biting. That’s exactly what I was also thinking. Thanks for your so much help. Last line of mirror is gr8. Thank you sir.
You’re welcome Rahul!
Hi Steve,
I am a pre-med student and I have been working very hard for almost two years now, and I have had a really good standing and achievements. But lately I became so lazy, like I don’t even understand it. I am unresponsive and I don’t really care if I study or not. I don’t wanna wake up, I am doing nothing that is necessarily productive.
I am really scared to what is happening to me. I was never like this. I was always prepared and finish every assignment on time.
Please give me advice
Thanks
Hi Selam, I was facing a very similar situation not too long ago. I think it sometimes happens that you become lazy, sluggish, unresponsive and unproductive during your course of studies. So first of all it’s important to get it straight in your own mind that it’s just a phase and not for ever to eternity (to take away your fears) and that you will work your way out of this phase eventually. Also, it’s important to realize that you can easily become an ambitious, hard-working student, because you already were that not too long ago, which means that your brain is already used to this state of being (as opposed to a lazy student who always was lazy and suddenly wants to become a high achiever, which would be a lot more difficult, if you understand what I mean).
Secondly, it’s important to seek for the root cause of your laziness and lack of productiveness. Is it a new tool or something else that suddenly came into your life (TV, smartphone, video game, computer, internet, app, leisure activity, friendship, relationship, family) and that distracts you in any shape or form? Or a new mindset, a new opinion, perspective? There is something that somehow withholds you, that draws you back. Find it and eliminate it. If necessary, throw away or hide your television cable, internet cable, console, etc. Be radical. In general it can be helpful to turn off your television and any other digital distractions for a while (say some weeks) so that you get so bored that there is literally nothing interesting left than studying and preparing assignments (this one is very powerful!)
For me, it was the lack of a proper goal. I had set myself an ambitious goal for each semester with a really fancy reward, so effectively I was working towards getting the reward and would work and study hard to achieve the goal. But one semester I totally forgot to set the goal and so I lost a little bit of my focus. Therefore, set yourself an ambitious goal that motivates you to study! If you can think of an amazing reward that you receive once you reached your goal (e.g. good grates) it will further boost your motivation.
Hi Steve,
I’m in a situation where im motivated to acheive great things in life but then there are some things in life that just dont let you succeed. I really need help with motivation to achieve my goals live a happy and content life 5 years from now
Hi Asad, I think I need some more information on your situation in order to give you any kind of recommendation. What are the things that don’t let you succeed? What kind of help with motivation do you really need? Sincerely Steve
Thanks a lot! I was so sad before reading this. I got excited.I am ready to get challenge.
thanks so much.
i have many problem to get motivated to study because i usually have a negative feeling and i think i can use this method to solve it.
thank you .thank you .thank you!!!!
Hi Hamidreza, you’re welcome! I’m glad I could help you and I wish that your study adventure is going really good for you!
Hi Steve,
I read your article and all the comments too,kudos for such a motivating article.I am a regular reader of motivational books and blogs so i know some that how to motivate self. But still i need ur help for my problem.
As you replayed to one response that identifying our problem is one step closer to solve it.
I am preparing for Gov exams, and as u told u in this article to-
Set a goal which i did
Me too din believe in rewarding myself
I am focused to my task ( but not for long )
I prevent all types of distractions and i have a positive attitude about life and everything around me.
But my problem is I can’t able to stick to what I am doing, i get bored with things too easily and din able to continue my preparation for long time in same speed(say not more then 2 weeks in a stretch). My maths is weak and I am trying my best to prepare it,but in this too i din able too keep focus for long time.I try to keep myself motivated by reading self help books as i told u earlier,I know that how much a job is important for me and what happen to me if i din able to get a job, but still i din able to be focused on my goal , its annoying for me and I am fed up with this problem, I try to get rid of this problem but fail again and again.Please help me out from this problem.Please give me some advice how to stay focused no goal for long time.
Hi Prem,
I know what you’re talking about, been experiencing it every once in a while, too. I guess what helps me to stick to what I’m doing is to create a routine of it – meaning that you keep going and going until it’s a routine for you. This means that you have to be very persistent during the first (say four) weeks – after that period it will be easier and easier to stick to what you’re doing as you become used to it.
I congratulate you on identifying your problem, which makes it easier for you to solve it (as you mentioned). However, I hope you don’t mind if I slightly adjust the statement of the problem slightly: the main problem isn’t so much that you are not able to stick to what you’re doing, the main problem is that you do not recommence your task after being distracted. It’s normal to be distracted or bored every once in a while, especially when studying. But what is important is that you re-continue with your task, after a given period of distraction. If you look at it from this perspective, not the distractions are the problem, but the issue of not being able to recommence what you did. So after a given period of distraction make sure that you re-continue.
Also, it’s always a CHOICE to allow distractions from relinquishing you from your goal, which is why I recommend that you prepare yourself mentally not to give in when the temptation (or boredom) arises that could lead you astray. Determine that you will not cancel your preparation, even if boredom arises. Prepare yourself mentally that such a situation will arise and that you will meet the right decision. Again, it’s a choice. Do not give in to distractions, do not retreat, not one inch!
Keep going in your preparations (even if boredom arises, even if problems show up) until the task is done – resp. until the goal is reached. Studying can become very boring at times, but that is an elemental part of university, as it teaches you to persist with things that are not so interesting.
Hi Steve,
Firstly, Thanks for replying me.Steve you get it right that I have problem of not to recommence to my my task after i being distracted, you know its very difficult for me to re-continue after i get distracted.
Steve it would be a great help for me if u give me some tips to stick to routine because i think i never really followed routine.Once i tried to follow routine but give up after 2 months.
And whats your thought about meditation, is it help in studies??
And please include a list of motivational books, like u added motivational music.
HI Prem,
Yes, I think you could benefit highly from meditation, not just study-wise but in your whole life overall. If you’re interested in meditation give it a try, it will help you to calm down and to quieten your mind – something very important as it reduces the influence of distractions, especially when studying.
How to stick to routine?
- monitor your behavior, what makes you stop sticking to a routine? Eliminate the reason!
- have a plan that details how the routine should look like (e.g. study-routine) and how you want to make sure to stick to it
Motivational books:
Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us – Daniel H. Pink
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Steven R. Covey
Awaken the Giant Within – Anthony Robbins
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff – Richard Carlson
The Power of Positive Thinking – Norman V. Peale
Psychocybernetics – Maxwell Maltz.
Talent is Overrated – Geoff Colvin
The Last Lecture – Randy Pausch
Thanks Steve, I started to implement what u said. I have some more questions but i will ask u latter. Thanks again for your help.
Hi, I was wondering if you could give me some advice on my current situation. I’ll be sitting for my IGCSE examinations in few days time and yet I couldn’t bring myself to study. The thing is, I usually get myself so inspired and motivated but then it suddenly fades away, in 1-5mins [And sometimes i get so tired and sleepy too.]This happens like everyday, and I keep on procrasting things! I don’t like it either but I keep on doing it. It’s not that I hate studying. Learning new things in life has always inspired me but then when it is related to studies, I just felt like I lost hope. I used to always do my stuff on time and be the top in class in middle school, but things HAVE changed completely in my high school years. Losing 1-5 marks in tests used to matter a lot, but now I just hope I don’t lose too much and not getting a fail is OKAY. It’s embarrassing to share this with others but I really hope you could help me. Distractions? Oh yes! I do fangirling a lot and Internet has been a major cause of my destruction. Could I possibly get all A*s – losing less than 10 marks- in my IGs? I don’t want to disappoint my parents anymore, yet being the 1st child of the family should be a role model to my siblings. *sigh*
Hi Jazmyn, I think you lack a vision or goal that keeps you going. An aim that fuels your motivation to study hard and be so focused that nothing can distract you from studying. Have you set yourself an ambitious goal yet? Say your goal is to improve your marks gradually then think of some kind of reward that you badly want. Now here is the catch: you get this reward only when you reach your goal, hence you will be willing to do the best you can.
You wrote that internet is a mayor distraction for you, which is why I recommend that you get some plugins that prevent you from accessing sites that would normally distract you from studying. The plugin I like is called LeechBlock (for Firefox) and allows you to block time-consuming sites during a set period of time (say you want to study from 4 to 5 pm then you block the internet during that time).
Also, make sure that you do the fangirling or surfing on the internet always AFTER you’ve accomplished all your study-tasks for the day. This just requires some mental strength, but your achievements in school will benefit from it. So make it a choice not to engage in any leisure time activity before not all your study-tasks for the day are reached.
sir i m so lazy,i m trying to study,but after half an hour i m distracted from ny track..n then after that i am wasted my whole time. now my 6th semester exams are near in May so plz please help me to out of this fobia…i m very thankfull to you for this act of kindness….
Hi Vibhor,
great that you already know what the problem is (laziness). By knowing the issue you’re already one step closer towards solving it.
I think laziness is a behavioral pattern that has become dominant in your life. Your brain is used to it, you’re used to it and so it’s perfectly normal for you. Your laziness is a vicious circle, as you constantly repeat that your lazy. I’m lazy – I’m lazy – I’m lazy. Stop that. Focus on the problem and try to work on it. Do it one step at a time. Get out of the environment that keeps you lazy and go to your library (or anywhere else) instead, when you need to study and when you need to be concentrated/focused. Do not be set off after initial hardship but continue on your journey against fighting off your laziness.
If you really want a solution: Turn off your TV & computer, disconnect from the internet, turn off your mobile phone for some days. You will notice that you procrastinate less (as you have nothing else left that diverts your attention). From this point onwards you will be capable to fight your laziness and the issue with procrastinating.
What is intended by this is that you become so bored (as there is nothing left that could allow you to procrastinate) you will eventually end up doing the things you need to do, i.e. studying, etc. Turn off the TV and computer, stick to this decision and you will see laziness and procrastination will reduce drastically.
Secondly, it’s important to seek for the root cause of your laziness and lack of productiveness. Is it a new tool or something else that suddenly came into your life (TV, smartphone, video game, computer, internet, app, leisure activity, friendship, relationship, family) and that distracts you in any shape or form? Or a new mindset, a new opinion, perspective? There is something that somehow withholds you, that draws you back. Find it and eliminate it. If necessary, throw away or hide your television cable, internet cable, console, etc. Be radical. In general it can be helpful to turn off your television and any other digital distractions for a while (say some weeks) so that you get so bored that there is literally nothing interesting left than studying and preparing assignments (this one is very powerful!).
Hope that helps.
thankx sir i will follow your steps n studying hard seriously n overcome from this fobia………
HI Steve,
Thank you for your article it is truly an eye opener. I need further advice. I was an A student most of highschool and in the first few semesters of college. In medical school now I am barely passing and everytime i know i have applied myself fully but get a failing grade I am not motivated to study or continue. I become depressed and just saturate myself in monotous activities in my room. Becoming a physician is all i have ever wanted to do and my parents are supportive emotionally and financially. Even though they don’t say it so its probably a burden on them when i keep failing. Am now in 4th yr of 5year program and the cycle continues and I dont know where to look. I wrote down the goals, why i want to pursue studies time and time again. recently i wrote what are the distraction and eliminate them when i go to study (internet, tv,ph,boyfriend) now I find that sleep happens almost immediately when I open the books or I read and do not recall a thing! Please advise.
Hi Lana, great that you took all the steps you’ve outlined in your post! That’s indeed a very good beginning and a necessary part to the solution. Now the good thing is that you have already completed 3 or 4 years of your studies, which means that you only have a short period of time (1/2 years) left studying. This is the final spurt and yes, it can be very exhausting. Focus on your goal of becoming a physician (= finish line) and try to stay focused and motivated for the last meters that are left on your course of studies.
It seems to me that the biggest issue you face at the moment is that you get drowsiness while studying and the problem of not recalling the things you’ve studied. Maybe you’re a little bit overburdened at the moment (understandably after 4 years of intensive studying), additionally it seems that you’re placing a high burden on your shoulders as you’re not satisfied with your grades. It’s important to break through this habit. If you find yourself in the room engaging in monotonous activities stop them instantly. If you find yourself getting tired or mental drowsiness when opening a book go immediately outside, catch some fresh air and do something that gets you energized and pumped up. So basically, it’s important to break these negative habits and to return to your positive habits when you were an A student.
If possible, take some time off from studying, charge your batteries and then return to your studies more focused and energized than ever. Focus on getting away this mental cloudiness. Also, take the burden you have placed on your shoulders away. If you get a couple of B’s in your exams, well, that’s not really that dramatic. Once you’ve worked for 3-5 years as a physician people will matter most about your abilities and skills, not about your grades.