How to get motivated to do school work?
Updated on Nov 18, 2023
•By Ewa Nikodem
Struggling with schoolwork motivation? Some tips to boost motivation include setting goals, rewarding progress, and cultivating routines.
School work piling up, tons of homework to do, preparations for an upcoming exam. You promise yourself that you will do all of it today. Yet, at the end of the day, you realise you've been watching YouTube or TikTok all day long. You start feeling guilty, but you can’t find the motivation to do anything. So, how to get motivated to do school work? Let’s talk about it.
What is motivation?
Motivation is a driving force behind someone’s actions or behaviour. It involves internal and external factors that stimulate enthusiasm and energy towards a specific objective. It is influenced by various elements, such as personal values, aspirations, past experiences, rewards, and the significance of a task/goal. Ultimately, motivation serves as the catalyst that propels individuals toward taking action and striving for desired outcomes in their lives.
Motivation can be a tricky topic, as it goes as quickly as it comes. You start studying for the exam because you are scared of failing. You start going to the gym because you saw someone’s transformation on Instagram. That’s all motivation, but it might be gone within days.
On the other hand, there’s discipline. Discipline is an ability to regulate someone's behaviour, actions, and impulses in accordance with established rules or principles. It involves self-control, consistency, and adherence to a set of norms or standards. It often requires making deliberate choices and exerting effort to overcome distractions, temptations, or obstacles that may hinder progress towards your goals or desired outcomes. Discipline involves developing a strong sense of commitment, perseverance, and responsibility toward achieving objectives or maintaining certain behaviours.
Motivation vs discipline
So which is better? It's not a matter of one being superior to the other, but rather recognizing their complementary roles.
- Motivation provides the initial push or inspiration to start something. It's like the fuel that gets you going.
- Discipline is what keeps you going even when motivation fades. It's the structure and self-control that help maintain progress towards a goal.
Both motivation and discipline are crucial. Motivation gets you started, while discipline keeps you moving forward, especially during times when motivation might be low. They work hand in hand to help you achieve your goals and maintain progress over the long term.
Ideally, a harmony between the two is the key: a healthy balance between motivation to initiate action and discipline to sustain it, which is more effective than relying solely on one or the other.
Some tips
- Set goals: Define what you want to achieve with your school work. Break down your tasks into smaller, achievable goals. This can make the workload seem less overwhelming and provide a sense of accomplishment as you complete each task.
- Create an optimal workspace: Designate a specific area for studying that is organized, comfortable, and free from distractions. Having a dedicated workspace can help you focus and get into the right mindset for studying.
- Establish a routine: Develop a consistent study routine or schedule. Set aside specific times each day for studying and stick to them as much as possible. Having a routine can create a habit and make it easier to get started on your school work.
- Find intrinsic motivation: Think why your school work is important to you. Connect it to your personal goals, interests, or future aspirations. Understanding the significance of what you're learning can boost your intrinsic motivation to complete tasks.
- Gamification: Turn your school tasks into a game. Each task can have a certain number of points, based on the complexity. After completing tasks or reaching milestones and gathering enough points, reward yourself. Treat yourself to something you enjoy, whether it's a favourite snack, leisure time with friends, or an activity you love. Having a reward to look forward to can provide extra motivation to tackle your school work.
Conclusion
Motivation can fluctuate, and it's okay to have off days. However, implementing these strategies consistently can help you maintain a higher level of motivation, discipline and productivity with your school work.
