How to Find Motivation in Studying?

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Sep 15, 2013

Good day:

You need to motivate yourself; no one can do it for you.

Your actions show you what is important. If facebook and other web sites are more important than studying, that's where you will spend your time. The only way to change that is to start changing yourself. You have to have the drive and passion to do it.

If you don't have the drive or passion, pray; at the same time start acting and walking in the direction of the passion ignoring everything that doesn't contribute to the drive and passion.

Thank you.

Jill2Shay · Sep 15, 2013

Do do you have any repeaters in your class? Do you want to be that person?

Study in a room without your phone or a computer

pookyp, LPN · Sep 15, 2013

Same thing happens to me. I think of my future and the ppl who didn't get to get in my program. Or think a out the ppl I've seen that failed out. Then I'm like I don't wanna be like that! So I turn off my tv and time myself to study for 2 hrs. Then i take a social media break for a bit them start up studying again. Lol

ravenpuff, BSN, RN · Sep 15, 2013

Everyone's source of motivation is going to be different. It's up to you to find yours.

As for being distracted on the Interwebs...that is inevitably going to happen. The best thing that I ever did for my studying getting rid of my Facebook.

I also installed extensions on my browser that limits how much time you can spend on websites of your choosing.

A few examples: Leechblock for Firefox, Waste No Time for Safari, StayFocused for Chrome.

My recommendations if you go this route:

-If you have/use more than one browser, put time-limiting extensions on all of them. I could spend all day on lifehacker.com, and I'm guilty of using Browser B to finish reading once I run out time on Browser A. But with extensions on both browsers, I can still curb my time to a set limit.

-Modify your settings on whatever time-limiter extension you choose such that the extension makes it difficult and/or highly inconvenient for you adjust the set time limits you have established for yourself. That way, when you're tempted to add "just five more minutes" to your set time, you'll be deterred.

It may seem like a lot of work to set up the extensions, but they will save you much time, feelings of regret, and possibly a grade once you've got them up and running.

Whoo! That seems like a lot of info.

tl;dr

GET RID OF FACEBOOK

USE TIME-LIMITING EXTENSIONS ON YOUR BROWSER

sjalv · Sep 15, 2013

When I study, I turn my phone off and put it out of sight. Same with my computer. I make myself goals, too. Like, I'll finish this chapter, then I can take a 30-minute break. Motivaiton comes from within though.

Summer Days · Sep 16, 2013

Start with setting realistic goals, say for instance, today you will study for an hour and in that hour you will cover (insert topic of your choosing). Then, at the start of your study, turn off all distractions, whatever they may be, and do serious study. Make sure you finish what you set down to cover. Include breaks between studies and use this time to turn on the distractions and give your mind a break. Be disciplined as to keep the breaks very brief so that your mind can return to the momentum of studying. Lastly, treat your study time as you would your work.

coolinbysound · Sep 16, 2013

What keeps me motivated to study and get good grades is I reward myself for every accomplishment I get. For instance, if I got a 90% or better on a chem test I would go out and get that music record I've been dying to have or something else I really wanted. If I reached my quarter goal of getting a 95% or better I would take myself out to an awesome buffet.

Needless to say, these types of things have made me want to keep studying and do well in my studies!

It also helps to study in different areas. I would study at beaches, coffee shops, different libraries, parks and have a picnic or my backyard. Change of scenery does wonders for the mind.

oceanblue52 · Sep 16, 2013

It definitely helps to break the material down into manageable goals (e.g. I'm going to study these lecture notes for a specific amount of time before taking a break).

As far as avoiding the internet, I try to go to a coffee shop that either a) does not have Wi-Fi, or b) leave my computer and smartphone at home if they do have Wi-Fi. People say that going to a coffee shop is expensive, but you'd be amazed at how much material you can get through when you're forced to forgo internet (2 days a week is enough for me to get a jumpstart on 15 hours worth of lecture material before switching to mini review sessions at home). And it's motivating to be in an atmosphere full of other people studying (as long as you can find a table! :)). Going outside for breaks and getting fresh air does wonders for memory consolidation as well.

If you really dont like the idea of a coffee shop, there is also free software you can download that will block internet access for a set amount of time. Surely you have other resources besides the internet to look up questions that come up while studying?

And when all your hard studying pays off, make sure you reward yourself! It doesnt have to be expensive, even taking a night off to watch a movie or take a hot bath and read is good. Rewards are really important to reinforcing new habits. Good luck to you!

ShadowsGirl101, ADN, BSN, LPN, RN · Sep 17, 2013

Try and study a bit everyday. It's said that if you hear the information twice within a twenty-four hour period it sticks better. So why not go over powerpoints (If your instructors use those) and write down the slides the day you do them in lecture? Same thing with oral lectures. Write notes or highlight the book on what your instructors says. I find that writing things down actually helps me remember. Depends on what type of learner you are. Then after lecture maybe take an hour break and crack down on actually studying. Motivating yourself is not easy. (

As said above take breaks you need them. After about forty-five minutes of straight study your brain starts to shut down. That is not good. So just try your best. Listen to upbeat music while studying. Live for your passion.

sbaker935 · Sep 18, 2013

Motivation comes within yourself! You have to force yourself to study sometimes...good motivation also comes from knowing you did well on a test from studying so much. I would just remember that studying pays off in the end fortunately :)

cbv91 · Sep 18, 2013

I'm in the same boat. My motivation comes from stuff like the Johnson & Johnson commercials, stuff that reminds me why I wanna be a nurse.

Also Pinterest, which is tricky because it's so tempting to pin everything you see, but it's very helpful for study tips and tricks to remember things to make it easier and more interesting. I have a board filled with stuff that even my professor uses!

I DO NOT turn my phone off. I need that window of light or else I will cave in on myself. However, that being said, I have my phone on SILENT, not vibrate, since I have an iPhone though I put it on "do not disturb" so I can't even see it light up and eventually I forget about it and find myself checking it after awhile with all these messages and that's when I take a quick break to chat and step back from the books.

Also because I have the Nursing Central app on my phone which is a great reference. So much so that I actually get terrible anxiety if I don't have anything like it. So I never have my phone off or not with me. I tried deleting the apps themselves for finals week. Kinda helps but like everyone said, motivation comes within you and whatever works for you. Try a few different things and see. I always think "I never regret it when I do it, but I always regret it when I don't" (works for both school AND fitness haha!)

Even watching YouTube videos of stuff like how a myocardial infarction works and things like that. Meet yourself halfway so it doesn't seem like a chore!