Many students find that studying is a struggle with deadlines and books. You will sit down with the intention to focus and study but after a few hours, you will be drained and your mind will start wandering. The syllabus will look like a lot to cover and notebooks will look boring. And to make things worse, you start comparing yourself with your friends and others. And the pressure will start building up more! Almost every student reaches a time when studying feels like they can’t do it any more and is very exhausting. But there are some practical ways to push through and regain the energy. We have listed some of them down:
Why does studying feel so draining?
Exams can be overwhelming! The muscles in your brain become exhausted when you sit for extended periods of time. Reading, memorising and problem-solving need deep concentration. They can quickly lead to brain drain because all the focus goes onto the brain. Stress can also be increased by the pressure to meet deadlines and do well on tests. A lot of students also feel exhausted from doing the same thing every day. So, it starts feeling like a chore rather than an activity.
Phone distractions, social media and a noisy environment can also break the focus. Since you will have to start over and over again, your frustration level will increase. Therefore, it is simple to feel overburdened when learning seems to be slow and the syllabus seems to be very long. As a result, you will gradually lose motivation. So, these are the things that cause you to drain when you start studying.
Practical Study Motivation Tips to Build the Best Habits
1. Break big goals into smaller ones
One way to deal with the syllabus is to break it up into smaller and easier-to-manage pieces. So, whenever you complete a smaller goal, it will feel like a big success. Smaller goals can feel like a motivation for students. It will help you to be motivated for the next goal.
2. Change your study environment.
Sometimes, the problem is not you, it can be your environment. A messy surrounding, a noisy environment or the same room can drain your energy. Try to switch places maybe go to a library or a quiet cafe or even a different corner of your home. If you change your scenery, it can refresh your focus.
3. Use the “Pomodoro Technique”
Studying for hours without taking a single break is not a good idea. This is where the Pomodoro technique can help you. It means that if you study for 25 minutes continuously, you can take a break of 5 minutes. It can help you to avoid burnout and stay motivated. This way, if you study for 25 minutes, you will be eager to take the break and then after the break, you will be able to sit again.
4. Mix up study methods
- Reading notes over and over can get boring very fast. You can use different techniques that can help you learn.
- Teach the topic to a friend or even to an imaginary person out loud. This will help you memorise it and you will know what you can’t explain.
- You can also use flashcards, mind maps and quizzes that will help you memorise a topic fast.
- You can also watch an explanatory video to get a new perspective and definition.
5. Make rest and self-care a priority
Sometimes it is better for you to take a complete step back for a while. Having good nutrition, taking some rest and getting enough sleep you need are some of the ways to improve your health. You can stop what you are doing and take a rest. If you have had enough sleep.
6. Celebrate small victories
Every one has their own pace of studying. If you compare yourself with your friends or other people, you will start feeling demotivated. So instead what you can do is: you can track your own progress and celebrate the minor wins and goals.
Best Study Habits for Students to Stay Focused and Motivated
The best study habits for students are not to spend endless hours at the desk or studying till late at night. It is when you make a routine that will make learning effective and sustainable. Consistency is one of the most effective habits. You can try studying every day a little part instead of just leaving everything for the last moment. This will help to reduce the stress in your head and improve your memory.
- Setting clear goals is also one of the best study habits for students.
- Students who study in a distraction-free environment often get most things done in less time.
- You can also try switching off your phone and turning off the notifications.
- Active learning techniques like using flashcards and teaching someone else are more effective.
- And you should get proper sleep, nutrition and exercise to make your mind sharper and your body more active.
Conclusion
Every student has these moments when they start feeling exhausted from studying. What matters is not avoiding those moments but learning how you can rise above them. But motivation does not mean just having endless energy to study! It means that you are disciplined, you can achieve the small wins and remember your purpose for why you started in the first place. So, if the next time feels like a burden, simply take a step back. Keep in mind that reading each page will only help you get closer to your main goal.
At 88tuition, we provide PSLE online tuition where there are interactive classes and personalised instruction from tutors. We make sure that each child learns the fundamental concepts. We make them understand topics with video-based learning and concept explanations in detail. We also help students with these basic concepts to help them understand them better.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do when I feel like giving up completely?
Take a short break, step outside and do something that makes you happy. Then when you are good, you can go back to your studies with more manageable tasks. Check if you are not sleep deprived. If it is just because of low energy or no motivation, just try some light exercises and changing your environment, change your learning method and you will feel better.
How can I make studying less boring?
Try gamifying it! Learn the chapters and then make them into quizzes. Challenge yourself with a specific timed goal. And you can also try studying with a friend! These varieties can make it less boring and you will be able to study well.
