How do I stay motivated to study?

When you get to college, the amount of homework can seem overwhelming compared to high school. Remember, you spend less time in the classroom so more of your learning is independent. You want to evaluate the type of learner that you are to get started. If you don't know, there are several quizzes about learning style available online. You may need visual aids when learning or find that working in small groups is most effective. Find a partner that you can connect with on a regular basis to hold each other accountable. Finally, take everything one step at a time. Try not to sit down and study for 3-4 hours at a time. By breaking your study time into smaller, more manageable parts with a break in between, you will find it is not as difficult as you may have first thought. Remember, you came to school for a reason so you want to make the most of your time. It will go by quickly.

Echoing the previous tips, find out what study style works best for you. It sounds like your current method of studying isn't the best for you so switch it up, try something else. Everybody studies and learns in a different way so finding the way that you study and retain information is critical. I learn the best when I hear something and when I hand write things. I would take notes during lecture and the act of writing down what I heard ingrained what the professor had said and I was able to retain that information for a long time. When it came time for the test or quiz, I could literally picture my notebook in my head and what I had written down. But, this is just me, by no means do this if it is not how you learn. You will remain motivated to study and studying will seem easier if you are able to discover the method that works best for you.

Think about yourself and how you learn best. Once you know, try and replicate that learning style in how you study. If you learn best via pictures, then incorporate more visuals into your study habits. Motivation is largely related to how much we enjoy something and if you are able to make studying easier via a tailored approach, you will enjoy it more and thus be more motivated in your academic studies!!

I hope this helps and I wish you the best in your studies.

Best,

Austin

Hi Catherine. I also find it difficult to focus on studying at times and completely understand this issue. I believe it is very important to make sure you remain focused while studying. Half studying while half being distracted by something else is not an effective way to learn. And the key to making sure you remain focused is to make sure you take breaks. I usually like to schedule time to study and then schedule breaks in between. So I will put in my headphones and block everything out and really concentrate for some time. Then when it's time for a break I can get up and stretch my legs and clear my mind before diving back in again. It takes some getting used to. But once you make it a habit, it will get easier to do this more regularly.

Hope this helps!

Regards,

Mike