If you are a student no matter the exam you are preparing for, be it for IELTS, Board Exams, Competitive exams like UPSC, SSC or professional courses like CA, CFA, MBBS, the major question that stays rent free on your mind initially is “How to find the motivation to Study”. And let me tell you, you are not alone.
As a student myself, the major problem I used to face was also finding the motivation to study. Honestly, at first, I blamed everything around me: the COVID-19 pandemic, the shift to online classes, the uncertainty, and the isolation. I told myself that my reduced sitting power, low attention span, and poor retention were all a result of the crisis we were living through. But I realised, blaming other factors won’t change anything and it is high time I start building proper strategies to get motivation to study.
And yes, motivation comes from within when you take small steps to achieve bigger success. To cultivate motivation to study, read this detailed blog that will talk about the problems the students face and the effective strategies and study tips to boost your motivation.
Why Is It So Hard to Stay Motivated to Study?
Why do you think that most of our youth including you and me are struggling to stay motivated and focused? While you would say distractions but let me tell you it is not the sole reason. Some of the common reasons are:-
- Lack of clear goals
- Fatigue and burdening tasks and academics
- Engaging in multiple tasks at the same time
- Procrastination habits
- Mental fatigue or burnout
- Distractions (social media, noise, etc.)
- Fear of failure
- Anxiety and conditions like ADHD etc
“Read about the SSC CGL exams 2025– Get the preparation tips and latest updates”
Top Strategies to Find the Motivation to Study
Following are some of the strategies that can be followed in order to boost positivity and stay motivated to study for your exams and career:-
Set Achievable Daily Goals
I know your dreams are big but that doesn’t mean your daily goals should also be large ones. Your short term goals should be more specific and attainable. Setting exaggerated goals leads to non-fulfillment and the backlogs of pending targets would ultimately lead to demotivation and anxiety. For example– Setting a goal of reading 10 chapters is unattainable, so it is better to set a smaller goal of let say learning and practicing 3 chapters a day.
When formulating the goals be it short term or long term, use the SMART model to set better goals.
S: Specific
M: Measurable
A: Achievable
R: Relevant
T: Time Bound
Remind yourself of your goals
The best way to stay motivated is by asking yourself WHY and WHAT, , Why am I doing this? What is my goal? What will I achieve after doing this? The answers to these questions will become your motivation to study. Whenever you are feeling low and unable to study remind yourself of your goals and your family who are waiting for your success.
Prioritize the necessary work
Each day of preparation is full of dilemmas and choices. Make sure to prioritize the important thing first without any bias. For example- You like studying economics a lot but in the process you forget other subjects which have more weightage in your exams. This might affect your score in the end, hence prioritizing the subjects plays an important role.
Breakdown your task
Excesses are always disastrous even if it is about overburdening goals. Setting a target of studying for 6 hrs straight is honestly overwhelming and tiring, but studying for 50 mins every hour with a 10 mins break is achievable. Hence breakdown your goals to complete the tasks with efficiency and effectiveness.
Be consistent
Consistency is the key to achieve success in any field. Constant efforts, disciplined actions and positive approach towards examination or your dream will definitely lead you to the doors of success. Set the daily targets and achieve those on daily basis. Studying 9 hours one day then studying 1 hour the other can not be considered consistency. Consistency is studying for a minimum hours every day.
Time management
Most people engage in procrastination and suffer from anxiety because of poor time management. You should learn how to divide your time among the subjects as well as other tasks. You can make a timetable to divide your time efficiently between learning theory, solving pyqs, taking tests etc.
Stay away from distractions
The major problem that every student faces while studying or during their preparation is dealing with distractions. You have accounts on multiple social media which you started for connecting but it is slowly turning into a major distraction for you. Cutting on these distractions is a challenging task but not impossible. Start with limiting time you spend on social medias
Choose the study method that is best for you
When I was preparing for UPSC, I contacted many seniors and everyone told me about different study methods and strategies. But you know which one was the best one? The one that I formulated for myself. Yes, you need to design your own study method and timetable because what worked for me might not work for you. For example- I can not study a single subject for the whole day while some people can. So choosing one subject per day or diversifying the subjects you study on a daily basis very much depends on your personal preferences.
Challenge yourself
Take each day and each task as a challenge for yourself. For instance, I would tell myself: “I must score 80+ in my mock tests, and if I don’t, I won’t allow myself to eat my favorite chocolate that day.” It may sound challenging but it actually works in making you more accountable and disciplined.
Reward yourself for completing daily goals
You know you are worth every reward. The preparation journey becomes smoother and memorable when you appreciate yourself at each step. From smaller achievements like a good score in a random test to actually securing a rank in the main exam, reward yourself at each achievement. Reward can be as simple as just buying yourself your favourite chocolate or getting yourself your favourite meal.
Do not engage in comparison and self sabotage
I often hear people say My brother cleared CA in first attempt. Why can’t I? Or My friend started her agency at the age of 21 and I am still studying at the age of 24. Comparisons like these do nothing good. It only leads to demotivation, self blame and low self esteem. Trust me success will come to you when it is destined for you.
Look for a better environment
By environment I mean your surroundings, especially the people around you. Staying with or being surrounded by positive people would eventually lead to positive energy and thoughts. Be it family, friends, peers or kins, make sure you have a few people who believe in you and are waiting for your success.
Track your progress
Tracking your progress is important so that you know how much of your efforts are actually giving you results. By tracking, you can learn about your strengths and weaknesses and change your study plan accordingly. Your motivation to study increase when you realize your growth with each passing day. When the test scores increases with each successive test taken, there is no chance that your motivation stays low.
Ensure you get enough sleep
Not just hard work but sound sleep and exertion free schedule is also equally important. It is scientifically proven that a person with a better night routine and sleep cycle feels more active in the day and hence productivity increases.
Build your own motivation
Don’t look for external motivation to study, be your own motivation. Remember motivation is something that you can create on your own. So build your own motivation by staying positive, reading good books, following a healthy routine, and taking disciplined actions.
Do you know which is the toughest exam in India? – Learn here.
Conclusion
After reading this blog I expect you will cultivate the motivation and discipline as you are now aware of the effective strategies that answers your doubt about “How to find the motivation to study”. With disciplined approach and consistent efforts you will definitely achieve your desired goal and success. Till that day, stay focused, stay motivated!
FAQs
- What is the best way to stay focused when studying?
The best way to stay focussed is to start asking WHY. Why am I doing this? Remind yourself of the goal you have and the success you want to achieve.
- How to be 100% motivated?
To stay 100% motivated follow the strategies that are discussed in the above blog- setting up clear attainable goals, breaking down your tasks, rewarding yourself, time management etc.
- Why am I lacking motivation to study?
It can be because of lack of clear goals, overburdening work, high stress, distractions or simply you are not interested in the course you are studying.
- Does music help you study?
Music works as therapy for many students and it might work for you as well. Listening to music can give you the calm and peace which will eventually help with better attention and retention.
