Studying when you feel unmotivated: 5 tips to deal with it!

There are times when you don’t feel like studying at all. You feel tired and totally unmotivated. You can’t seem to do one thing and you keep staring at your books. I have been there myself. However, you know very well that you have to study. There are some things you can do to make it feel less of a burden.

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Minimize your to-do list. Although I am not a big fan of long lists (see here how to create a successful list), in this case, your list should be even shorter than regular. Just 3 tasks are enough. You think they aren’t? Imagine being overwhelmed and having a list of 5-6 tasks to accomplish. Now look at your minimized list again. Well, 3 items seem perfect, don’t they?

Begin studying for 10 minutes. In my opinion, start is the most difficult part. Once you begin doing something, then you will probably continue doing it and even finish it. The same applies to studying. Feeling unmotivated makes you procrastinate and never want to start studying. Well, even if you don’t want to, begin studying for only 10 minutes. Set an alarm and stop once the alarm goes off. Most probably, after the 10-minute period, you will be willing to study for much longer.

Change your surroundings. Time for a change! Choose the environment that you feel really productive and helps you focus and relax. Leave your office for once and head for the school library, the university, or even a park. The goal here is to shift your mood. Some fresh air and new scenery could do the trick.

Study buddy helps. Excellent idea for when you lack the motivation and the urge to finish your tasks. Invite a study buddy to join you and study together. You can split the syllabus in half, and then teach each other. Plus, you get to see another person’s perspective when it comes to studying which may prove helpful.

Pose questions to yourself. When you find the curriculum intimidating and you can’t think of any way to memorize all this information, the best way to do it is by breaking it down. Write down questions for every part of the syllabus and try to answer them. This serves as a revision as well as a way to let the information sink in.

In the end, don’t feel bad if you don’t want to study. There are days when you will feel tired, unmotivated and completely unwilling. It is perfectly normal. Just take a deep breath, relax and begin when you are ready.

Try the tips above and let me know if you have any tips of your own. Be sure to comment and share with your friends.