12 Ways to Motivate Yourself to Study Hard for Exams

Study hard for exam
Photo by Tirachard Kumtanom

Studying well for your exams is not an easy thing to accomplish. With classes, a lot of school works, and extra-curricular activities stressing you out, the last thing that comes into your mind with what you can do in your free time is to study. There are days when you feel so hyped and ready to accomplish a lot- then most days you just feel so overwhelmed and stressed that you lose all your energy that you can’t even read a single lesson.

It may seem like a roller-coaster of emotions but know that it is normal to feel that way. However, these thoughts should not hinder you from actually accomplishing what needs to be done. So, here are 12 ways to motivate yourself to study hard for your exams:

1. Just do it.
No matter how many motivational posts or quotes you read, if you’re not going to start doing those tasks then nothing’s going to happen. Getting started is probably the hardest thing to do but it is the most important part. If you don’t know how to start or you don’t feel like starting yet, try setting an alarm for 20-25 minutes once the time’s up, stop doing your tasks. This will help you overcome your boredom and procrastination and can encourage you to finish your tasks.

2. Prepare your study area.
It is really important that you have a quiet and clean space where you can study. Making sure that there is no clutter or things that may interrupt you from studying your lessons. If you are not staying at home and you prefer to study outside, make sure that it isn’t somewhere where you most likely might run into your friends. That way you can study your lessons well without any interruption.

3. Divide your tasks.
Feeling overwhelmed by the sight of the things that you need to do makes you feel less motivated to continue or even just starting your assignment. So one thing you should do to avoid cramming days before the examination is to divide your tasks ahead of time. That way you can also set your schedule as to when should certain topics or lessons should you study first. This can also make the load of your work looks less daunting.

4. Remove all distractions.
Things such as your phone or any kind of gadget distract you from getting your work done. In this day and age where people find it so hard to get off of Twitter, Instagram, or any kind of social media sites, you should always remember that there are a time and place for everything and what’s important is for you to focus on studying and finishing your assignments.

ALSO READ: How to Motivate Yourself When You’re Too Lazy to do Homework

5. Have a study routine.
Having a routine is one way to having yourself get used to a specific schedule where it is intended for studying your lessons. That way, it will help not just you but also your friends and family to be aware to not disturb you during that schedule. Make sure that such a schedule is convenient to avoid canceling it.

6. Be disciplined.
As I have mentioned earlier, there is really a time and place for everything, once you have set your schedule for studying, make sure that you observe and follow it. Avoid postponing or moving it minutes/hours after for you will end up procrastinating.

7. Write down the reasons why do you want to study well.
Writing down your goals and reasons why you want to study hard can encourage and increase your motivation in finishing your tasks. Post this on the wall of your bedroom or your study area so that you can see and always be reminded of why you are studying hard.

8. Reward yourself every time you complete your tasks.
A reward doesn’t need to be big, it can be as simple as eating a snack during a quick break or listening to your favorite song when you’re in the middle of a study session. If you’re already done, take a walk outside or hang out with your friends to de-stress yourself from studying. That way you can have something to look forward to and be even more motivated in finishing your goals.

9. Try studying in groups.
Now, this part is a bit tricky especially if you’re used to studying alone. But this can actually be helpful if you’re studying with the right people, those who are also focused and determined in finishing their tasks. A study group should not be more than 4 people, for it can be a bit crowded and distracting. Here you can exchange ideas where it can help you learn a different perspective of a certain lesson, or have exercises that can master your knowledge on a topic. You can also share your notes to see if there are certain topics or a teacher’s statement that you missed to write down on your notebook.

ALSO READ: 50 Inspirational Quotes For Students to Study Harder

10. Find a study approach that works for you.
Whether it is by studying at home alone or with a group at a coffee shop, find a study approach that works well that would help you to be more productive. It doesn’t happen immediately, it is a matter of trial and error but eventually, you’ll find one. Once you find what works for you, it will be easier and more comfortable to study your lessons.

11. Do not expect that you will always feel motivated.
There are just certain days that no matter how hard you try to motivate yourself, you just can’t seem to do it, and that’s okay. It’s human nature to feel tired and uninterested. However, even in that situation, sometimes you just have to face the truth and do a certain task with or without motivation.

It is true that no one feels motivated every single time. That is the reason why it is important to have a solid study routine so that you can still function even though you feel unmotivated.

12. Trust the process.
It may be hard and stressful most of the time to study while balancing other activities that you are participating in, but know that this won’t go on forever. At some point in time, you are going to graduate, pass a board exam, and achieve the goals and dreams you have for yourself. A bit of sacrifice and hard work today will make a huge difference for your future.

I hope some if not all these tips helped you have an idea to motivate yourself in studying hard for your exams. The most important thing is that your routine of choice works best for you and helps you avoid procrastinating and aids you to become more productive.

ALSO READ: 10 Tips on How to Overcome Laziness in Studying

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Mary Fatima Berongoy
Fatima is a photography enthusiast who loves to binge - watch movies and television series. She also loves listening to indie music and dreams to own a coffee shop one day.

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