Inspiration is a necessity of life, and nowhere does this ring more true than when it comes to your studies. It is rare that a student wants to study—at least more than they want to watch a movie, hang out with friends, or play video games. But in today’s globally competitive marketplace, a quality education is more essential than ever before, and there is no getting around the need for learning. Thankfully, finding the inspiration that it takes to study effectively is easy. Here are some helpful tips for doing the job right.
1. Choose Relevant Rewards
Rewarding yourself for a job well done has long been cited as an incentive, but you have to be careful with how you go about doing it. Populating your life with shiny distractions that have nothing to do with the task at hand can keep you far off from your goals. That’s why when you choose to reward yourself for a job well done, you need to choose relevant rewards.
Productivity apps for your iPhone or a book that plays to your interests are far more productive incentives than a $60 video game or a six-hour shopping binge. (And they’re usually much cheaper!) Know when and how to reward yourself. Allow rewards based on results rather than effort, and pick items that will not severely alter the course of your productivity.
2. Set Mini-Goals
If you are not passionate about a topic—and let’s face it, if you’ve spent any time in the education system, you’re going to find things you’re not passionate about—then you can stay motivated by “chunking” information and arranging studies into blocks of time that are broken up with mini-breaks. Check your Facebook. Make a sandwich. Read a chapter of your favorite book. Arrange rewards in manageable bursts of time that are only enjoyed after you have accomplished study goals.
3. Build a Soundtrack
It may be difficult to make this tip work for you if heavy reading is involved, but certain types of material can be more easily addressed with the right soundtrack in the background. Make a playlist of songs that motivates you, and then hit the little tipped-over triangle on your iPod or MP3 player to play at a reasonable volume. Certain types of music have been known to increase adrenaline levels and raise alertness. Find the tracks that work for you, hit shuffle/repeat and learn as you jam.
4. Journal
Journaling, or keeping a written record of your accomplishments, challenges, questions and concerns, keeps the blood flowing and the mind active. It allows you to trigger your creativity even when you feel bogged down by the material.
Learning is not always fun, and study-time can be a struggle if you’re not doing things to stay motivated. During those rough times, it is important to incorporate motivators that work. Use the tips on the list above, or conjure up some of your own. The important thing is to keep mind and body active on the road to success.
Aric Mitchell's work appears regularly here at 4tests.com and across the web for sites, such as The Inquisitr and Life'd. A former high school teacher, his passion for education has only intensified since leaving the classroom. At 4tests, he hopes to continue passing along words of encouragement and study tips to ensure you leave school ready to face an ever-changing world.
