8 ways to motivate yourself to study
Learning to be a self-starter when you have to study from home and revise isn't easy. Aside from the fact, there are distractions aplenty; it can be hard to find the motivation to keep to a strict routine and get the work done. Here are 8 tips to help you get it done.
Studying gives a stable structure to your day
Studies show that having a clear-cut structure to your day is better for your mental health and how you cope in times like these. During the week, get up at the same time every day and work set hours, giving yourself three clear goals a day. Remember you don't have to replicate your school/college hours, just ensure you do whatever is set and work between 2 and 3 hours a day.
Never work on your bed
Sometimes getting work and feeling motivated is s all about your mind-set and lying on your bed sends the wrong signals to your brain. To get into work mode, find somewhere you can work, be it the kitchen table, a desk or a quiet spot away from others.
Seek extra help
It takes time and determination to get used to working alone, and not everyone can do it. If you are struggling to do the work and need an extra push, we have online tutors in every subject that can give you help support around motivation, knowledge and techniques.
Make notes as you work
After your work is done, always review and expand on what has been studied. Reviewing your lessons helps move material from short-term memory into long-term memory, and will help when you go back to school and college and when exams are set again. It will also help when you move onto your next lesson. To help highlight keywords and methods, create flashcards to organise and simplify information and look back on your notes as the week progresses.
Minimise the distractions
Working with YouTube on, or your phone nearby or music on will always be a temptation even if you are the most disciplined of students. Try to work in a room that's quiet and allows you to think, so you don't do your work on auto mode. Again studies show students who listen to music with lyrics while completing reading or writing tasks tend to be less efficient and come away having absorbed less information.
Think about what happens when you go back
Eventually, schools and colleges will be open again when you go back. When this happens, you need to be in a position to re-engage at the same level. This won't happen if you take a holiday from now until schools re-open. If you are facing a transition from primary to secondary or to further and higher education, the challenge is harder as it's likely less work is being set from school. In these cases, it pays to review all past work regularly, so you are ready for whatever comes next.
Make your learning fun
No matter what stage of education you are at being at home allows, you to change up how you study. YouTube/Netflix is fantastic for every subject, whether you want to learn Mandarin or see chemistry in action. Podcasts offer you a world of thought and opinion that you may not have had at school - again they cover every subject and level out there.
With younger children think of alternative ways to make subjects more motivating. For instance, why not do fractions and Science through cooking a meal. Cooking allows you to introduce concepts such as addition and mass (mathematics) and seeing how substances change when they are combined and heated.
Join an online study group
If you're feeling the lack of peer input in your work make the most of Facetime, WhatsApp and Zoom to connect with peers and have study groups and general chats about work. If you can't find people who want to do this checkout Facebook groups for revision groups, teacher-led groups and subject groups at all levels.