How to Stay Motivated in School  

Sometimes classes can feel overwhelming. There may be outside distractions from your peers or you may feel academic pressure. Here is how to stay motivated in school this semester. 

1. Create a Study Routine 

Sometimes it can be hard to motivate yourself to study. Then you end up cramming at the last minute. Creating a routine eases anxiety by having more structure in your life. Plus, it helps you develop healthy habits. 

So, try this study routine to stay motivated:

1. Before class, look over the material you’re covering. 
2. Go to class, take notes, and ask questions.
3. Review your notes after class.
4. Schedule time during the week to study the information.

2.  Consider Why You’re Studying

Focusing on the bigger picture is one of the best strategies for how to stay motivated in school. Remind yourself working hard helps you earn your degree and land a job after graduation. Also, think about how earning the degree helps you give back to your family. For example, could you repay your parents for assisting with tuition? Having these goals in mind motivates you to stay focused despite any challenges. 

3. Speak Up in Class

Try to participate in lecture discussions and contribute to small group conversations. By actively participating you will be more engaged. This will help you learn the material better and get to know your professor. If you’re shy, speaking in class may feel intimidating, but you can start small. For example, just try to say one thing each day. It can be as simple as asking your teacher a question and not expecting yourself to sound perfect. 

4.  Get Help When You Need It

Some students may be nervous about asking for help. But it’s essential in understanding the material and increasing your motivation. There are plenty of resources available on campus. Vist your academic office and or head to your writing center. If you’re doing research ask your librarian for help. 

5. Maintain a Balanced Schedule

While you’re working hard, remember to still practice self-care. This helps keep your energy up, so you can stay engaged. To take care of your health, get enough sleep, eat healthy meals, and exercise. You want to get at least 7-9 hours of rest a night. It’s also important to take breaks in between assignments. During this time, step away from your computer and stretch or go for a walk. 

6.  Stay on Top of Important Activities 

Your coursework is your main priority. To stay motivated, make a list of what you have to do each day and come up with a plan to get it done. Start with assignments that take the most time and effort. That way you can get them out of the way and need less energy to complete the smaller assignments. 

Then, rank the projects and schedule the ones that have the most impact on your grades first. For example, studying for a mid-term may take precedent over an English paper. 

7. Change Up Your Studying Habitats  

Mixing up your approach keeps your coursework interesting. So, if you have two similar assignments tackle them in different ways. For example, if you have multiple creative writing projects, write an essay one semester and a poem the next. This will make the information seem new and motivate you to complete the assignment faster. 

8. Set Realistic Goals

This is one of the essential ways for how to stay motivated in school. When you look at an assignment as a whole it can feel overwhelming. That’s why you want to break it into smaller chunks. Suppose you have to write a long paper; break it into sections instead of page numbers. Focusing on a few sections at a time helps you to feel less stressed and prevents procrastination. 

9. Lean on Friends for Support 

Having a social support system can help you stay focused. They can encourage you to push through and comfort you when you’re feeling anxious. Plus, your peers are often facing similar struggles and can relate. 

Your network can consist of friends, family, or teachers. You can also work with academic counselors to plan your courses. Having social support has many health benefits as well. It can help enhance your self-esteem and lower your blood pressure. 

10. Celebrate Your Accomplishments 

Rewarding yourself for all your hard work is essential. After you complete an assignment treat yourself. These can be small rewards, like going to dinner with a friend. Having something to look forward to can help you stay engaged in your current task. 

Motivation is Temporary, Discipline is Forever

Staying motivated takes discipline, especially with social distractions. Yet, it’s important for your academic success. Try these strategies for how to stay motivated in school to ace your next semester.