We get it — being a student can be overwhelming. Juggling assignments, exams, and social commitments can make motivation hard to come by.
If you’ve been feeling too stressed and overwhelmed to study lately, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve curated a list of actionable tips to kick your study laziness to the curb and get you back on track for those A+ grades.
Looking for more study and focus tips? Subscribe to The Flow — our free quick, snappy, value-packed focus and recharge newsletter:
Motivation Study Tips
Create a study schedule and routine
Without a plan, you’re just wasting time. Nothing’s worse than going through your day without a to-do list at hand and having no idea where to start and what you should do next.
Get organized with a detailed study schedule that maps out your academic journey. Want help deciding between a digital or paper planner? Check out our guide to planner types for some inspiration.
Break tasks into smaller action items
Big tasks are daunting. Instead of tackling that entire Biology chapter in one go, break it into smaller, more digestible parts. This way, you’ll build the momentum you need to breeze through study sessions.
Set deadlines
Time flies when you’re scrolling through Instagram. Beat the clock by setting deadlines for your study tasks. Try using a timer to add a sense of urgency and keep you on track. Check out some of the best Notion assignment tracker templates to help you stay on top of your schoolwork by organizing them based on due dates, subjects, priority, and more!
Create a welcoming study space
Your environment sets the stage for effective studying. Make sure it’s optimized with the best possible lighting, desk setup, aesthetics, comfort, and temperature to make learning more effective and fun! Studying in a dull, unorganized room sets you back from getting the most out of your study sessions.
Time block with the Pomodoro technique
Looking for a way to structure your study sessions? Choose a task to focus on, set a 25 minute timer, and start working on it. After the time runs out, take a break for 5 minutes and repeat the entire process — a method known as the Pomodoro technique. This method has become popular among students looking to improve focus and beat procrastination while studying.
If you’re interested in a free, all-in-one dashboard with a built-in customizable Pomodoro timer, try Flocus. Check out its other features, such as personalized greetings, motivational quotes, aesthetic backgrounds, and more, which are perfect for leveling up your study sessions.
Remove distractions
If your phone’s constant stream of notifications steals your attention while studying, consider installing apps like AppBlock or even putting your phone in a different room. Also, make sure to have everything you’d need while studying in your desk beforehand (like your school supplies, snacks, and water bottle) to stop you from leaving your study area once your study session starts.
Write down future goals and purpose
One of the best ways to stay motivated while studying is to remember your “why” — the reason why you’re studying and striving towards your goals in the first place. Whether it’s as simple as getting high grades or as huge as becoming a world-renowned surgeon, there’s no wrong answer.
Check out our curated list of the best Notion vision board templates to help you visualize your long-term goals and keep you motivated!
Join a study group or Discord server
Ever felt lonely while studying inside your room for hours on end? Consider adding some company to the mix by inviting your friends to your study sessions. Discuss difficult topics together, create some funny mnemonics for memorization, and boost each other’s morale while studying. It’s also an amazing way to bond with your classmates and build friendships!
If you’re looking to meet people beyond your classroom, try joining public study groups or Discord servers like the Flocus Discord server to meet fellow students around the world. Check out our roundup of the best study Discord servers for even more options!
Use an ambient study website
With all the hustle and bustle of student life, finding a relaxing environment is key to staying motivated while studying. Luckily, there are plenty of study websites, such as Flocus, which offer a much-needed virtual space for students to meet their productivity needs. Here’s our list of other aesthetic study websites you can use during your next study session!
Take breaks and recharge
Studying is a marathon, not a sprint. That’s why pacing yourself by taking regular breaks is important to avoid burnout. It’s good to challenge yourself, but make sure not to push yourself too hard or past your limits to avoid bigger problems that may arise.
Wanna be inspired by others’ journey towards personal or career success? Check out our list of the best study motivation movies — perfect for those chill study sessions when you’re not doing deep work. Also, here’s a list of Pomodoro break ideas for you to try.
Find a tutor or study buddy
If you’ve been stuck understanding a difficult lesson for hours already, consider finding a tutor or a study buddy to help you. Not only would they be able to answer your questions, but they’ll also help you stay on track with achieving your study goals. Don’t be shy to reach out to your classmates — chances are, some of them have similar goals and are also looking for someone to study with!
Listen to a study playlist
Adding your favorite tunes to your study sessions not only puts you in a better mood but also helps you study better by improving your focus. Try out different genres of music (like classical, video game soundtracks, jazz, etc.) and pick the sounds that don’t distract you and help you stay motivated.
Looking for a way to incorporate your Pomodoro sessions with some good study music? Check out Flocus and listen to some of the best study playlists curated by us — from handpicked lofi mixes to the charming sounds of a Parisian café.
Read motivational quotes
Try reading motivational quotes before starting your next study session for an extra boost! Write your favorite quote on a sticky note for your desk, or even add a quote widget to your Notion dashboard for a daily supply of positive and inspirational quotes for you to read.
Check out our curated list of the best study motivation quotes and see if any resonate with you!
Why do I lack motivation to study?
Lastly, digging for the root cause of your lack of motivation will help you manage it! That said, there are plenty of reasons why you’re probably not feeling motivated enough to study.
Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Are you bored? A topic might just feel too boring or easy for you, making you less enthusiastic about dealing with it. Try looking at it from a different angle, or exploring other related areas to make it more challenging!
- Is it too difficult? If a topic is too hard or complicated, your brain responds by doing its best to avoid dealing with it due to fear of failure. Overcome this by seeking help or by starting gradually with more manageable chunks.
- Do you feel tired? Feeling demotivated after consecutive nights of pulling all-nighters is your body telling you to get some rest. Get some adequate sleep and practice mindfulness to maintain your health while studying.
If you’ve been in a slump lately, it’s not too late to bounce back. By using these techniques to motivate yourself to study, you’ll be able to achieve your academic goals and reach your full potential in no time!
How do you usually motivate yourself to study? Are we missing any tips? Let us know in the comments below!
Gridfiti is supported by its audience – when you buy something using the retail links in our posts, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Read more about our affiliate disclaimer.
