5 Study Hacks to Keep You Motivated

Feeling overwhelmed is a sensation with which we’re all familiar. Family, school, and work can all make us feel like we’re running in circles from time to time, with no end in sight. This can make us feel like giving up or quitting. It’s important, though, to remind yourself that these feelings are only temporary. They don’t last and there are ways you can help yourself overcome them. Keep reading to find out how to keep yourself motivated and what to do when you hit roadblocks while studying.

Why is motivation important?

We all know motivation is key in accomplishing tasks, but it’s important to also know why motivation is important. We’ve all had moments where we’ve said, ‘I’m just not motivated today’, and that’s ok. Very few people have the energy, mentally and physically, to always be ready to tackle whatever is in front of them. But if we don’t know why motivation is important for the bigger picture, it’s harder to snap out of it, creating a motivation-less rut. Motivation is an important part of forming good habits. It makes the process of whatever you have to do more fun, it helps you reach your goals, and it can inspire others to try harder.

Daily habits to get you motivated

Everyone has different ways of doing things, but there are some common habits for finding or maintaining motivation that can be found amongst people who have found different degrees of success. Thankfully, most of them are pretty simple things we’re all capable of doing, we just need to start making them part of our regular routines.

1. Listen and pay attention. Sometimes it’s hard to pay attention when we’re not motivated. But by not paying attention, we miss important details that can help us. If you listen, pay attention, and take notes in classes or meetings, you’re less likely to forget important information.
2. Get organized. Messes and disorganization are motivation killers. Having a clean, tidy space to work or study cuts down on confusion, saving you both time and stress later on. Wasting time looking for notes, tablets, pens, notebooks, etc. eats up valuable time, preventing you from later doing the things you enjoy or keeping you from completing the things on which you need to work. It also causes frustration, which can lead to giving up or not trying as hard. A clean, organized, and dedicated workspace provides a more pleasant environment in which to work, helping you get in the right frame of mind.
3. Set a schedule. In addition to organization saving time, so does setting a schedule. Schedules help keep you from wasting time or procrastinating. If you have a specific amount of time set aside each day, preferably at the same time, you’ll be less likely to have to cram in studying, rush to complete chores, or forget something important.
4. Create a to-do list. Lists are a great way to keep yourself and your schedule organized. Prioritize what’s most important first. For example, if you have a test coming up or an important meeting, make sure preparing is near the top of the list and doesn’t come after getting lunch with friends or watching that movie you’ve been excited to see. If you need, break the list into categories like urgent, important but not urgent, and not important or urgent. It also helps to make the list at the same time each day, so it’s part of your daily routine.
5. Get proper nutrition and sleep. When we’re busy, it’s easy to forget about eating well and sleeping enough. But what you eat matters and can make a big difference in both your motivation and the outcomes of what you’re trying to do. Eat “brain foods” like fruits, veggies, and whole grains. They help your brain work at its best and can make you physically feel better, giving you more energy. The same can be said for sleep. Studies have shown that proper sleep improves memory, helps us make better decisions, and aids in creativity.

What to do when you need help studying

Everyone needs help sometimes, even the best students, and that is ok! It can be awkward and discouraging sometimes, but it’s also completely normal since no one is perfect. The most important thing to remember is that we’ve all been there. It’s much better to momentarily be a little uncomfortable and ask for help than to struggle, fall behind, and get down on yourself. At Ashworth College, we try to make help easily accessible.

There are vast technology resources in our online library and Learning Resource Center, as well as a great Student Community where you can connect with other students who might be experiencing the same problems as you. You may also find someone who excels at that subject or course and can give you some tips.

If a specific subject isn’t as much of a problem as maybe trying to concentrate or finding time to study, there are a lot of online resources that help you with that, too. There are various apps and articles that can teach you time management, guide you through meditations, and even help you with budgeting. Just do a little searching to find something that works for you, but here are some study app suggestions to give you a start in the meantime.

How to improve your confidence

If you’ve heard the phrase ‘mind over matter’, then you know that the way you think about different situations can make a big difference on how you deal with them. If you think poorly of yourself, or tell yourself you can’t do it, guess what? You probably won’t. It can be a hard habit to break, but there are some pretty simple ways to start changing that fixed mindset into one of positivity and growth. Start by giving yourself little daily affirmations. You can repeat something to yourself regularly or you can make little notes for yourself, leaving them around as reminders. It’s a simple step, but it can make a big difference. After making a habit of repeating or seeing these positive messages, you can literally change the way your brain functions. Many psychologists believe this positive thinking actually strengthens and retrains your brain, kind of like how physical therapy helps to build back muscle memory.

Let Ashworth help

Ashworth College is here to help all students, before and even after they graduate. In addition to the resources available for current students, alumni have access to career services offering help with job searches, resume building, and online portfolio creation. If you’re motivated to take the next steps towards your career, call an Admissions Advisor at or enroll online.