how to be motivated to do your homework

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Everyone struggles with homework sometimes, but if getting your homework done has become a chronic issue for you, then you may need a little extra help. That’s why we’ve written this article all about how to do homework. Once you’re finished reading it, you’ll know how to do homework (and have tons of new ways to motivate yourself to do homework)!

We’ve broken this article down into a few major sections. You’ll find:

• A diagnostic test to help you figure out why you’re struggling with homework
• A discussion of the four major homework problems students face, along with expert tips for addressing them
• A bonus section with tips for how to do homework fast

By the end of this article, you’ll be prepared to tackle whatever homework assignments your teachers throw at you .

So let’s get started!

How to Do Homework: Figure Out Your Struggles 

Sometimes it feels like everything is standing between you and getting your homework done. But the truth is, most people only have one or two major roadblocks that are keeping them from getting their homework done well and on time. 

The best way to figure out how to get motivated to do homework starts with pinpointing the issues that are affecting your ability to get your assignments done. That’s why we’ve developed a short quiz to help you identify the areas where you’re struggling. 

Take the quiz below and record your answers on your phone or on a scrap piece of paper. Keep in mind there are no wrong answers! 

1. You’ve just been assigned an essay in your English class that’s due at the end of the week. What’s the first thing you do?

A. Keep it in mind, even though you won’t start it until the day before it’s due  B. Open up your planner. You’ve got to figure out when you’ll write your paper since you have band practice, a speech tournament, and your little sister’s dance recital this week, too.  C. Groan out loud. Another essay? You could barely get yourself to write the last one!  D. Start thinking about your essay topic, which makes you think about your art project that’s due the same day, which reminds you that your favorite artist might have just posted to Instagram...so you better check your feed right now. 

2. Your mom asked you to pick up your room before she gets home from work. You’ve just gotten home from school. You decide you’ll tackle your chores: 

A. Five minutes before your mom walks through the front door. As long as it gets done, who cares when you start?  B. As soon as you get home from your shift at the local grocery store.  C. After you give yourself a 15-minute pep talk about how you need to get to work.  D. You won’t get it done. Between texts from your friends, trying to watch your favorite Netflix show, and playing with your dog, you just lost track of time! 

3. You’ve signed up to wash dogs at the Humane Society to help earn money for your senior class trip. You: 

A. Show up ten minutes late. You put off leaving your house until the last minute, then got stuck in unexpected traffic on the way to the shelter.  B. Have to call and cancel at the last minute. You forgot you’d already agreed to babysit your cousin and bake cupcakes for tomorrow’s bake sale.  C. Actually arrive fifteen minutes early with extra brushes and bandanas you picked up at the store. You’re passionate about animals, so you’re excited to help out! D. Show up on time, but only get three dogs washed. You couldn’t help it: you just kept getting distracted by how cute they were!

4. You have an hour of downtime, so you decide you’re going to watch an episode of The Great British Baking Show. You: 

A. Scroll through your social media feeds for twenty minutes before hitting play, which means you’re not able to finish the whole episode. Ugh! You really wanted to see who was sent home!  B. Watch fifteen minutes until you remember you’re supposed to pick up your sister from band practice before heading to your part-time job. No GBBO for you!  C. You finish one episode, then decide to watch another even though you’ve got SAT studying to do. It’s just more fun to watch people make scones.  D. Start the episode, but only catch bits and pieces of it because you’re reading Twitter, cleaning out your backpack, and eating a snack at the same time.

5. Your teacher asks you to stay after class because you’ve missed turning in two homework assignments in a row. When she asks you what’s wrong, you say: 

A. You planned to do your assignments during lunch, but you ran out of time. You decided it would be better to turn in nothing at all than submit unfinished work.  B. You really wanted to get the assignments done, but between your extracurriculars, family commitments, and your part-time job, your homework fell through the cracks.  C. You have a hard time psyching yourself to tackle the assignments. You just can’t seem to find the motivation to work on them once you get home.  D. You tried to do them, but you had a hard time focusing. By the time you realized you hadn’t gotten anything done, it was already time to turn them in. 

Like we said earlier, there are no right or wrong answers to this quiz (though your results will be better if you answered as honestly as possible). Here’s how your answers break down: 

• If your answers were mostly As, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is procrastination. 
• If your answers were mostly Bs, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is time management. 
• If your answers were mostly Cs, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is motivation. 
• If your answers were mostly Ds, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is getting distracted. 

Now that you’ve identified why you’re having a hard time getting your homework done, we can help you figure out how to fix it! Scroll down to find your core problem area to learn more about how you can start to address it. 

And one more thing: you’re really struggling with homework, it’s a good idea to read through every section below. You may find some additional tips that will help make homework less intimidating. 

How to Do Homework When You’re a Procrastinator  

Merriam Webster defines “procrastinate” as “to put off intentionally and habitually.” In other words, procrastination is when you choose to do something at the last minute on a regular basis. If you’ve ever found yourself pulling an all-nighter, trying to finish an assignment between periods, or sprinting to turn in a paper minutes before a deadline, you’ve experienced the effects of procrastination. 

If you’re a chronic procrastinator, you’re in good company. In fact, one study found that 70% to 95% of undergraduate students procrastinate when it comes to doing their homework. Unfortunately, procrastination can negatively impact your grades. Researchers have found that procrastination can lower your grade on an assignment by as much as five points ...which might not sound serious until you realize that can mean the difference between a B- and a C+. 

Procrastination can also negatively affect your health by increasing your stress levels , which can lead to other health conditions like insomnia, a weakened immune system, and even heart conditions. Getting a handle on procrastination can not only improve your grades, it can make you feel better, too! 

The big thing to understand about procrastination is that it’s not the result of laziness. Laziness is defined as being “disinclined to activity or exertion.” In other words, being lazy is all about doing nothing. But a s this Psychology Today article explains , procrastinators don’t put things off because they don’t want to work. Instead, procrastinators tend to postpone tasks they don’t want to do in favor of tasks that they perceive as either more important or more fun. Put another way, procrastinators want to do things...as long as it’s not their homework! 

3 Tips f or Conquering Procrastination 

Because putting off doing homework is a common problem, there are lots of good tactics for addressing procrastination. Keep reading for our three expert tips that will get your homework habits back on track in no time. 

#1: Create a Reward System

Like we mentioned earlier, procrastination happens when you prioritize other activities over getting your homework done. Many times, this happens because homework...well, just isn’t enjoyable. But you can add some fun back into the process by rewarding yourself for getting your work done. 

Here’s what we mean: let’s say you decide that every time you get your homework done before the day it’s due, you’ll give yourself a point. For every five points you earn, you’ll treat yourself to your favorite dessert: a chocolate cupcake! Now you have an extra (delicious!) incentive to motivate you to leave procrastination in the dust. 

If you’re not into cupcakes, don’t worry. Your reward can be anything that motivates you . Maybe it’s hanging out with your best friend or an extra ten minutes of video game time. As long as you’re choosing something that makes homework worth doing, you’ll be successful. 

#2: Have a Homework Accountability Partner 

If you’re having trouble getting yourself to start your homework ahead of time, it may be a good idea to call in reinforcements . Find a friend or classmate you can trust and explain to them that you’re trying to change your homework habits. Ask them if they’d be willing to text you to make sure you’re doing your homework and check in with you once a week to see if you’re meeting your anti-procrastination goals. 

Sharing your goals can make them feel more real, and an accountability partner can help hold you responsible for your decisions. For example, let’s say you’re tempted to put off your science lab write-up until the morning before it’s due. But you know that your accountability partner is going to text you about it tomorrow...and you don’t want to fess up that you haven’t started your assignment. A homework accountability partner can give you the extra support and incentive you need to keep your homework habits on track. 

#3: Create Your Own Due Dates 

If you’re a life-long procrastinator, you might find that changing the habit is harder than you expected. In that case, you might try using procrastination to your advantage! If you just can’t seem to stop doing your work at the last minute, try setting your own due dates for assignments that range from a day to a week before the assignment is actually due. 

Here’s what we mean. Let’s say you have a math worksheet that’s been assigned on Tuesday and is due on Friday. In your planner, you can write down the due date as Thursday instead. You may still put off your homework assignment until the last minute...but in this case, the “last minute” is a day before the assignment’s real due date . This little hack can trick your procrastination-addicted brain into planning ahead! 

If you feel like Kevin Hart in this meme, then our tips for doing homework when you're busy are for you. 

How to Do Homework When You’re too Busy

If you’re aiming to go to a top-tier college , you’re going to have a full plate. Because college admissions is getting more competitive, it’s important that you’re maintaining your grades , studying hard for your standardized tests , and participating in extracurriculars so your application stands out. A packed schedule can get even more hectic once you add family obligations or a part-time job to the mix. 

If you feel like you’re being pulled in a million directions at once, you’re not alone. Recent research has found that stress—and more severe stress-related conditions like anxiety and depression— are a major problem for high school students . In fact, one study from the American Psychological Association found that during the school year, students’ stress levels are higher than those of the adults around them. 

For students, homework is a major contributor to their overall stress levels . Many high schoolers have multiple hours of homework every night , and figuring out how to fit it into an already-packed schedule can seem impossible. 

3 Tips for Fitting Homework Into Your Busy Schedule

While it might feel like you have literally no time left in your schedule, there are still ways to make sure you’re able to get your homework done and meet your other commitments. Here are our expert homework tips for even the busiest of students. 

#1: Make a Prioritized To-Do List 

You probably already have a to-do list to keep yourself on track. The next step is to prioritize the items on your to-do list so you can see what items need your attention right away. 

Here’s how it works: at the beginning of each day, sit down and make a list of all the items you need to get done before you go to bed. This includes your homework, but it should also take into account any practices, chores, events, or job shifts you may have. Once you get everything listed out, it’s time to prioritize them using the labels A, B, and C. Here’s what those labels mean:

• A Tasks : tasks that have to get done—like showing up at work or turning in an assignment—get an A. 
• B Tasks : these are tasks that you would like to get done by the end of the day but aren’t as time sensitive. For example, studying for a test you have next week could be a B-level task. It’s still important, but it doesn’t have to be done right away.
• C Tasks: these are tasks that aren’t very important and/or have no real consequences if you don’t get them done immediately. For instance, if you’re hoping to clean out your closet but it’s not an assigned chore from your parents, you could label that to-do item with a C.

Prioritizing your to-do list helps you visualize which items need your immediate attention, and which items you can leave for later. A prioritized to-do list ensures that you’re spending your time efficiently and effectively, which helps you make room in your schedule for homework. So even though you might really want to start making decorations for Homecoming (a B task), you’ll know that finishing your reading log (an A task) is more important. 

#2: Use a Planner With Time Labels

Your planner is probably packed with notes, events, and assignments already. (And if you’re not using a planner, it’s time to start!) But planners can do more for you than just remind you when an assignment is due. If you’re using a planner with time labels, it can help you visualize how you need to spend your day.

A planner with time labels breaks your day down into chunks, and you assign tasks to each chunk of time. For example, you can make a note of your class schedule with assignments, block out time to study, and make sure you know when you need to be at practice. Once you know which tasks take priority, you can add them to any empty spaces in your day. 

Planning out how you spend your time not only helps you use it wisely, it can help you feel less overwhelmed, too . We’re big fans of planners that include a task list ( like this one ) or have room for notes ( like this one ). 

#3: Set Reminders on Your Phone 

If you need a little extra nudge to make sure you’re getting your homework done on time, it’s a good idea to set some reminders on your phone. You don’t need a fancy app, either. You can use your alarm app to have it go off at specific times throughout the day to remind you to do your homework. This works especially well if you have a set homework time scheduled. So if you’ve decided you’re doing homework at 6:00 pm, you can set an alarm to remind you to bust out your books and get to work. 

If you use your phone as your planner, you may have the option to add alerts, emails, or notifications to scheduled events . Many calendar apps, including the one that comes with your phone, have built-in reminders that you can customize to meet your needs. So if you block off time to do your homework from 4:30 to 6:00 pm, you can set a reminder that will pop up on your phone when it’s time to get started. 

This dog isn't judging your lack of motivation...but your teacher might. Keep reading for tips to help you motivate yourself to do your homework.

How to Do Homework When You’re Unmotivated 

At first glance, it may seem like procrastination and being unmotivated are the same thing. After all, both of these issues usually result in you putting off your homework until the very last minute. 

But there’s one key difference: many procrastinators are working, they’re just prioritizing work differently. They know they’re going to start their homework...they’re just going to do it later. 

Conversely, people who are unmotivated to do homework just can’t find the willpower to tackle their assignments. Procrastinators know they’ll at least attempt the homework at the last minute, whereas people who are unmotivated struggle with convincing themselves to do it at a ll. For procrastinators, the stress comes from the inevitable time crunch. For unmotivated people, the stress comes from trying to convince themselves to do something they don’t want to do in the first place. 

Here are some common reasons students are unmotivated in doing homework : 

• Assignments are too easy, too hard, or seemingly pointless 
• Students aren’t interested in (or passionate about) the subject matter
• Students are intimidated by the work and/or feels like they don’t understand the assignment 
• Homework isn’t fun, and students would rather spend their time on things that they enjoy 

To sum it up: people who lack motivation to do their homework are more likely to not do it at all, or to spend more time worrying about doing their homework than...well, actually doing it.

3 Tips for How to Get Motivated to Do Homework

The key to getting homework done when you’re unmotivated is to figure out what does motivate you, then apply those things to homework. It sounds tricky...but it’s pretty simple once you get the hang of it! Here are our three expert tips for motivating yourself to do your homework. 

#1: Use Incremental Incentives

When you’re not motivated, it’s important to give yourself small rewards to stay focused on finishing the task at hand. The trick is to keep the incentives small and to reward yourself often. For example, maybe you’re reading a good book in your free time. For every ten minutes you spend on your homework, you get to read five pages of your book. Like we mentioned earlier, make sure you’re choosing a reward that works for you! 

So why does this technique work? Using small rewards more often allows you to experience small wins for getting your work done. Every time you make it to one of your tiny reward points, you get to celebrate your success, which gives your brain a boost of dopamine . Dopamine helps you stay motivated and also creates a feeling of satisfaction when you complete your homework !  

#2: Form a Homework Group 

If you’re having trouble motivating yourself, it’s okay to turn to others for support. Creating a homework group can help with this. Bring together a group of your friends or classmates, and pick one time a week where you meet and work on homework together. You don’t have to be in the same class, or even taking the same subjects— the goal is to encourage one another to start (and finish!) your assignments. 

Another added benefit of a homework group is that you can help one another if you’re struggling to understand the material covered in your classes. This is especially helpful if your lack of motivation comes from being intimidated by your assignments. Asking your friends for help may feel less scary than talking to your teacher...and once you get a handle on the material, your homework may become less frightening, too. 

#3: Change Up Your Environment 

If you find that you’re totally unmotivated, it may help if you find a new place to do your homework. For example, if you’ve been struggling to get your homework done at home, try spending an extra hour in the library after school instead. The change of scenery can limit your distractions and give you the energy you need to get your work done. 

If you’re stuck doing homework at home, you can still use this tip. For instance, maybe you’ve always done your homework sitting on your bed. Try relocating somewhere else, like your kitchen table, for a few weeks. You may find that setting up a new “homework spot” in your house gives you a motivational lift and helps you get your work done. 

Social media can be a huge problem when it comes to doing homework. We have advice for helping you unplug and regain focus.

How to Do Homework When You’re Easily Distracted

We live in an always-on world, and there are tons of things clamoring for our attention. From friends and family to pop culture and social media, it seems like there’s always something (or someone!) distracting us from the things we need to do.

The 24/7 world we live in has affected our ability to focus on tasks for prolonged periods of time. Research has shown that over the past decade, an average person’s attention span has gone from 12 seconds to eight seconds . And when we do lose focus, i t takes people a long time to get back on task . One study found that it can take as long as 23 minutes to get back to work once we’ve been distracte d. No wonder it can take hours to get your homework done! 

3 Tips to Improve Your Focus

If you have a hard time focusing when you’re doing your homework, it’s a good idea to try and eliminate as many distractions as possible. Here are three expert tips for blocking out the noise so you can focus on getting your homework done. 

#1: Create a Distraction-Free Environment

Pick a place where you’ll do your homework every day, and make it as distraction-free as possible. Try to find a location where there won’t be tons of noise, and limit your access to screens while you’re doing your homework. Put together a focus-oriented playlist (or choose one on your favorite streaming service), and put your headphones on while you work. 

You may find that other people, like your friends and family, are your biggest distraction. If that’s the case, try setting up some homework boundaries. Let them know when you’ll be working on homework every day, and ask them if they’ll help you keep a quiet environment. They’ll be happy to lend a hand! 

#2: Limit Your Access to Technology 

We know, we know...this tip isn’t fun, but it does work. For homework that doesn’t require a computer, like handouts or worksheets, it’s best to put all your technology away . Turn off your television, put your phone and laptop in your backpack, and silence notifications on any wearable tech you may be sporting. If you listen to music while you work, that’s fine...but make sure you have a playlist set up so you’re not shuffling through songs once you get started on your homework. 

If your homework requires your laptop or tablet, it can be harder to limit your access to distractions. But it’s not impossible! T here are apps you can download that will block certain websites while you’re working so that you’re not tempted to scroll through Twitter or check your Facebook feed. Silence notifications and text messages on your computer, and don’t open your email account unless you absolutely have to. And if you don’t need access to the internet to complete your assignments, turn off your WiFi. Cutting out the online chatter is a great way to make sure you’re getting your homework done. 

#3: Set a Timer (the Pomodoro Technique)

Have you ever heard of the Pomodoro technique ? It’s a productivity hack that uses a timer to help you focus!

Here’s how it works: first, set a timer for 25 minutes. This is going to be your work time. During this 25 minutes, all you can do is work on whatever homework assignment you have in front of you. No email, no text messaging, no phone calls—just homework. When that timer goes off, you get to take a 5 minute break. Every time you go through one of these cycles, it’s called a “pomodoro.” For every four pomodoros you complete, you can take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes.

The pomodoro technique works through a combination of boundary setting and rewards. First, it gives you a finite amount of time to focus, so you know that you only have to work really hard for 25 minutes. Once you’ve done that, you’re rewarded with a short break where you can do whatever you want. Additionally, tracking how many pomodoros you complete can help you see how long you’re really working on your homework. (Once you start using our focus tips, you may find it doesn’t take as long as you thought!)

Two Bonus Tips for How to Do Homework Fast

Even if you’re doing everything right, there will be times when you just need to get your homework done as fast as possible. (Why do teachers always have projects due in the same week? The world may never know.)

The problem with speeding through homework is that it’s easy to make mistakes. While turning in an assignment is always better than not submitting anything at all, you want to make sure that you’re not compromising quality for speed. Simply put, the goal is to get your homework done quickly and still make a good grade on the assignment! 

Here are our two bonus tips for getting a decent grade on your homework assignments , even when you’re in a time crunch. 

#1: Do the Easy Parts First 

This is especially true if you’re working on a handout with multiple questions. Before you start working on the assignment, read through all the questions and problems. As you do, make a mark beside the questions you think are “easy” to answer . 

Once you’ve finished going through the whole assignment, you can answer these questions first. Getting the easy questions out of the way as quickly as possible lets you spend more time on the trickier portions of your homework, which will maximize your assignment grade. 

(Quick note: this is also a good strategy to use on timed assignments and tests, like the SAT and the ACT !) 

#2: Pay Attention in Class 

Homework gets a lot easier when you’re actively learning the material. Teachers aren’t giving you homework because they’re mean or trying to ruin your weekend... it’s because they want you to really understand the course material. Homework is designed to reinforce what you’re already learning in class so you’ll be ready to tackle harder concepts later.

When you pay attention in class, ask questions, and take good notes, you’re absorbing the information you’ll need to succeed on your homework assignments. (You’re stuck in class anyway, so you might as well make the most of it!) Not only will paying attention in class make your homework less confusing, it will also help it go much faster, too.

What’s Next?

If you’re looking to improve your productivity beyond homework, a good place to begin is with time management. After all, we only have so much time in a day...so it’s important to get the most out of it! To get you started, check out this list of the 12 best time management techniques that you can start using today.

You may have read this article because homework struggles have been affecting your GPA. Now that you’re on the path to homework success, it’s time to start being proactive about raising your grades. This article teaches you everything you need to know about raising your GPA so you can

Now you know how to get motivated to do homework...but what about your study habits? Studying is just as critical to getting good grades, and ultimately getting into a good college . We can teach you how to study bette r in high school. (We’ve also got tons of resources to help you study for your ACT and SAT exams , too!)

These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links, PrepScholar may receive a commission.

Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

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How to Get Motivated to Study: 23 Tips for Students Who Procrastinate

Updated on July 14, 2023 By Daniel Wong 147 Comments

Is it hard for you to get motivated to study?

Let’s face it…

It’s so easy to watch one more video or to scroll through your social media feed one more time.

But your exams are approaching.

You have a rising sense of panic, but you don’t know where to begin. The more you panic, the harder it is to get to work.

If this is the situation you’re in, keep reading.

In this article, I’m going to explain 23 proven strategies that successful students use to motivate themselves to study.

Get ready to say goodbye to procrastination!

This article is 3,000 words long, so I’ve created a PDF summary for your convenience. Enter your email below to download it. The PDF contains all the tips found here, plus 7 exclusive bonus tips that you’ll only find in the PDF.

How to motivate yourself to study.

When you’re feeling unmotivated, taking the first step is usually the hardest part.

Here are the best ways to motivate yourself, so you can study productively .

1. Discover why you procrastinate

Procrastinating on your schoolwork  is a complex problem that can have many different causes.

Here are some of the most common:

• You’ve convinced yourself that your homework is beyond your abilities
• Putting off your homework is a way of rebelling against your parents or teachers
• You’ve decided the topic is boring
• You’re waiting for the “perfect” time to start
• The task has become so overwhelming that you don’t know where to start

Understanding why you procrastinate is a key first step to getting motivated.

Spend some time reflecting on what makes you procrastinate. This will enable you to identify which of the following tips will help you the most.

2. Break the material down into chunks

A major cause of procrastination is that the task ahead seems overwhelming.

That’s when you need to “chunk down”. Break down each task into small chunks.

Assign yourself a certain number of those chunks each day. Suddenly, you’re no longer faced with a scary task, but rather a series of manageable chunks.

A chunk might be reading two pages of your textbook, completing five multiple-choice questions, or finding four reference articles on the Internet for your paper .

3. Reward yourself

Every time you complete one or two chunks, reward yourself with a short period of relaxation.

It could be five minutes on your favourite smartphone game, a short walk, or playing the guitar.

Rewarding yourself with short and enjoyable breaks is a key part of the “chunking down” technique.

4. Create a study routine

We’re creatures of habit.

Bad study habits are easy to fall into, but you can also develop good study habits to help you keep up with your schoolwork.

If it’s a challenge for you to get motivated to study, you can put this principle to work for you.

Habits are so powerful that once you develop a study routine, you’ll find it difficult to go into relaxation mode without studying.

How should you go about creating a study routine?

The first thing to do is to set up a study schedule (see Tip #14).

Be aware, however, that habits aren’t formed overnight.

Research indicates that it typically takes 20 to 30 days to form a habit. So you’ll have to put in some work before this technique pays off.

5. Be clear about why you want to get good grades

One of the best ways to get motivated to study is to be very clear about why you want to get go o d grades in the first place.

Make a list of the reasons you want to do well academically.

Here are some typical reasons:

• I want to learn more and develop myself
• I want to develop the habit of pursuing excellence
• I want to become a more focused and disciplined student
• I want to get into a good school or programme
• I want to have a meaningful career
• I want to provide well for my family and my parents in the future
• I want to know that I gave it my best shot
• I want to live with no regrets

Write down your own list of reasons for studying hard, and put the list at your study desk.

Then, when you’re feeling unmotivated, read the list one more time.

6. Use a mind map to organise the information

If you’re like most people, chances are you’ve been taught to use lists to summarise information. A classic example is to-do lists.

As such, it may seem natural to use lists to summarise the information you’re studying.

But there are times when mind maps are more effective than lists as a way of organising information.

Because mind maps mimic how the brain works.

When you create a mind map, you’re mapping out the way your brain has processed a certain topic.

This makes it easier to get a handle on the topic. It’ll also make it easier for you to retrieve that information when you need it.

You can create a mind map using pen and paper. But if you prefer to do it on your phone, tablet or computer, you can use an app like SimpleMind .

7. Make a “boring” subject interesting

When you find it difficult to study because the subject is “boring”, ask yourself:

“Is the subject really boring, or does it seem that way because I have closed my mind to it?”

As G.K. Chesterton once said: “There are no boring subjects, only disinterested minds.”

If you think a subject is boring, try to engage with the subject by asking yourself questions.

When was this technique or theory developed?

Who developed it?

What problem did it solve?

How would the world be different today if not for this technique or theory?

If you ask the right questions, you can make any subject interesting.

8. Understand the topic, don’t just memorise it

One of the keys to effective studying is to develop an understanding of a topic rather than just memorising facts.

In some situations, rote memorisation may be necessary.

But, in general, the more years you spend in school, the more you’ll be expected to understand relationships and connections between different concepts.

This will require you to apply principles to a given set of facts or to draw conclusions from a given set of facts.

Understanding a topic is far more rewarding than memorising it. So this approach to studying is not only more effective – it will keep you motivated.

9. Look for gaps in your understanding

Try giving a mini-presentation on a topic to a friend or relative. You can do this in a formal way, or you could simply talk to them about the topic.

By doing so, you’ll deepen your knowledge.

But you’ll also realise quickly if there are gaps in your understanding of the topic.

As Albert Einstein once said, “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.”

10. Study in short bursts

Research shows that we learn better when we study in short bursts.

It’s called “ spaced learning ”, and the theory behind it is that learning involves the creation of memories.

Memories are formed through links between neurons. In order for these memories to become embedded, the neurons have to be left undisturbed for a period of time.

That’s why we learn better in short bursts of studying. This approach gives the neurons time to “lay down” these new memories.

Read on to Tip #11 to learn about how to put this tip into practice.

11. Use the Pomodoro technique

If you want a system for studying in short bursts, try the Pomodoro technique.

Francesco Cirillo invented the technique in Italy in the late 1980s.

Using a kitchen timer shaped like a tomato (“pomodoro” means tomato in Italian), he found he could concentrate better by studying in short stretches.

Here’s how to apply the Pomodoro technique:

• Decide on the task that you’ll work on
• Set the timer for 25 minutes
• Work on the task
• Stop working when the timer rings
• Put a checkmark on a piece of paper
• If you have fewer than four checkmarks, take a 3- to 5-minute break, then repeat from Step 1
• After four pomodoros, take a 15- to 30-minute break
• Draw a line through the four checkmarks and start counting your checkmarks afresh

There are lots of apps to help you apply the Pomodoro technique and become a student who’s better at time management . Here are some of the best apps out there .

12. Don’t expect to feel motivated all the time

Strangely enough, one of the best ways to deal with a lack of motivation is to stop expecting to feel motivated all the time.

The fact is that no one feels motivated all the time.

So don’t rely on feeling motivated in order to get the work done.

Sometimes the motivation just won’t be there.

That’s why you need a study routine and study habits , because systems always beat motivation.

13. Exercise your brain

To get motivated to study, you need to train your brain. Think of your brain as a muscle.

Developing your ability to focus is like training to be a world-class sprinter.

It’s all about consistency and making gradual progress.

Continually exercise your brain, even when you’re not studying.

You can do this by reading, thinking through challenging world issues, doing puzzles, or journaling.

The greater the variety of ways in which you train your brain, the stronger and more flexible your brain will become.

There are also various websites with exercises designed to train your brain. Here are three popular ones:

• NeuroNation

Just as with a physical workout, a key part of training your brain is rest and recovery. So make sure that you get at least 8 hours of sleep a night (many students even need 9 to 10 hours of sleep a night).

Nutrition is another important aspect of training your brain.

The brain needs certain fatty acids in order to function optimally. You can get these fatty acids from eating nuts, avocados and salmon. Other brain foods include:

• Pumpkin seeds
• Pomegranate juice
• Dark chocolate

14. Organise your time

The act of creating a study schedule is a form of commitment, so it will help you to stay motivated.

Here are some useful steps in creating a study schedule:

• For each subject, make a list of the tasks you need to complete in order to be ready for the exam
• Download a study schedule template and block out the times you have available each day to study
• As far as possible, choose blocks of time that are the same each day (e.g. 3:30pm to 5:30pm) so that your study schedule is easy to remember
• Create a daily plan which lists the most important tasks to be completed for the day

Review your study schedule at the end of each week.

Assess whether you’re on track to reach your study goals by exam time. If you’re not, adjust your schedule by finding additional blocks of time for studying.

15. Study in a group

Many students find it motivational to study in a group.

Of course, it’s crucial that you find the right students to join the study group. These students should have the desire to learn the material well and get excellent grades .

I recommend that the study group have no more than four students. If the group is larger than four, it tends to become distracting.

Studying is more fun in a group.  It also gives everyone a sense of accountability.

When you study in a group, you can make commitments to each other related to new habits you want to develop, or bad habits you want to break.

But the benefits of studying in a group don’t stop there.

When you study in a group you can pool your notes together and get much better notes than any one person could possibly produce.

Also, studying in a group takes advantage of the fact that everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. If there’s a concept you don’t understand, chances are that someone in your group will be able to explain it to you.

16. Make learning active, not passive

Passive learning is where you try to absorb information and knowledge. It’s based on the idea that you’re an empty vessel waiting to be filled.

But research shows that this isn’t the best way to learn.

We actually construct knowledge by integrating the new material with what we already know and have already experienced.

So if you want to learn a new topic quickly and effectively, use as much active learning as you can.

Examples of active learning are:

• Finding applications of the new topic in your own life
• Doing case studies where the new ideas or theories are put into a specific context
• Doing group projects
• Reviewing and commenting on the work of your friends
• Thinking of ways to apply concepts to problems you come across

17. Schedule relaxation

This may seem obvious, but when your focus is studying for an upcoming exam, it’s easy to forget that you need time to relax.

Remember Point #10 and “spaced learning”?

We learn new information by creating memories. But those memories need time to be formed. That means having gaps between learning spurts.

In short, you need to schedule relaxation to recharge and learn better.

18. Exercise regularly

When you’re focused on studying for a major exam, it’s common to overlook exercise.

But, as far as possible, get 20 to 30 minutes of physical activity every day.

This is because regular exercise is vital if you want to study effectively and stay motivated.

Aerobic activity, such as swimming, jogging or walking, sends oxygen, blood and nutrients to your brain.

This helps you to think and concentrate.

Research even shows that short periods of light exercise immediately after studying improves the recall of new information.

19. Visualise yourself doing the task successfully

If you’re having trouble with a particular task, visualise yourself completing that task successfully.

Sports psychologists have long known about the power of visualisation as a technique for accomplishing difficult tasks.

Visualisation uses the “theatre of the mind” to mentally rehearse completing challenging tasks.

It works by laying down neural pathways in the brain. When you repeatedly visualise yourself completing a task, it makes it easier to perform the task in reality.

So spend a few minutes every day visualising yourself successfully completing your various study-related tasks – especially if you find them daunting.

20. Remind yourself that this won’t go on forever

Studying for exams can seem like an endless marathon, but it does have an end date.

Remind yourself of this, particularly on days when you feel overwhelmed or unmotivated.

Telling yourself that “this won’t go on forever” will allow you to focus on the light at the end of the tunnel.

But it will also make you study harder, because you know that you have urgent tasks at hand.

21. Focus on the process, not the result

When you’re studying, it’s often difficult to see the fruit of your labour, especially at the beginning.

That’s why you should focus on the process, not the result.

Did you complete most of your planned tasks today? Congratulate yourself.

Did you stick to your study schedule in general today? Maintain your focus .

Did you put your phone in another room when you were studying, so you wouldn’t be distracted? Keep it up.

Remember, it’s habits that you’re trying to form.

If you get the process right, the results will follow.

22. Get rid of distractions

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s amazing how many students try to study with one eye on their textbook and the other eye on their social media feed.

It’s almost as if they want to be distracted.

List all the common distractions you face when you’re studying. Do your best to eliminate every single one of them.

For example, you could:

• Turn off your Internet access
• Put your phone on flight mode
• Put your phone in another room
• Mute your group chats
• Use earplugs
• Delete all the games on your phone, tablet and computer

23. If you don’t feel like starting, set a timer for 5 minutes

Sometimes, the hardest part of anything is simply starting.

But the fear of doing something is almost always worse than the actual doing. Once you start, you’ll find it wasn’t as bad as you thought.

The same applies to the fear of learning . If you don’t feel like getting to work, set a timer for 5 minutes.

You can tell yourself that once those 5 minutes are up, you can stop work.

But, in all likelihood, you would have got some momentum going, so you’ll continue.

I hope these words of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe will inspire you:

“Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.”

The keys to getting motivated to study are organising your time and work, and knowing how to use your mind effectively.

That’s what I’ve shown you in this article: 23 tips for organising your time, developing the right mindset, and using your brain in the most efficient way possible.

(Download the free PDF below to learn 7 bonus tips.)

Follow these tips for studying smart – not hard – and you’ll soon be on your way to becoming a successful student who doesn’t procrastinate!

Like this article? Please share it with your friends.

April 28, 2018 at 2:41 pm

Love your ideas! especially “Break the material into chunk”, “Mind map”,”Make boring topics to interesting”, These guidelines are really effective to my studying plan. Hope you will write more books pertaining to academic excellence as I am looking forward .Kudos to you for sharing!!

April 28, 2018 at 3:06 pm

Glad you like the article!

April 7, 2019 at 11:59 pm

The article is so powerful. Great ideas Mr.Wong you’ve changed lives.

July 3, 2019 at 8:36 am

Great article, I am sure it will help me with my students.

April 26, 2019 at 9:05 pm

thank you so much this is gonna change my life

April 27, 2020 at 10:07 pm

Thank you very much am sure after reading this articles now I can say goodbye procrastination. Thanks

December 16, 2020 at 4:23 pm

August 18, 2019 at 2:57 am

Thanks a lot!

November 7, 2019 at 9:13 pm

before i used to study all day and i used to be a topper..but due to games my grades went on falling…my parents also face few business problems right now but they try their best to make me feel complete..today i felt all this and i wanted to change..so i came up to this website and went through all the tips…thanks bro and my exam are coming up..hope i do well…also before coming here i was going to open a video game but i stopped myself..i will try my best!!!

April 5, 2020 at 1:17 pm

Video games are the worst distraction 😂

April 8, 2020 at 5:29 pm

im the worst distraction

May 10, 2020 at 5:47 pm

haha..u wish!

April 23, 2021 at 1:32 pm

January 29, 2021 at 10:22 pm

Thank you so much for this content. This is the best article that I’ve read related to this subject. It is so useful.

August 8, 2020 at 1:18 am

Same here bro, I am a topper but also a pc gamer. I just don’t want to fail but I don’t want to stop playing also. But after reading this I will surely control gaming.

November 29, 2020 at 12:17 am

Hi bro do you study these days like when you read this for the first time and can you tell me some of the tips which you used to stop wasting your time

May 10, 2021 at 2:58 am

Man i have same situation, It looks you are my reflection. Reader: does it really happen in this world

July 10, 2021 at 10:24 pm

Even though i study all night i dont get good marks

April 16, 2020 at 5:11 pm

This increased interest in me to study

May 24, 2020 at 10:32 pm

this is the best thank u for helping us

October 15, 2020 at 3:04 am

January 16, 2021 at 10:42 am

Thanks.. Obviously everyone who visits this site is the one who has same issue of procrastination and wasting time.. All comments same lols

November 25, 2020 at 9:42 pm

Thanks for the guidelines, Mr. Wong.

December 15, 2020 at 10:30 pm

Wow I really liked it Thanks!

April 30, 2021 at 2:22 am

I am really thankful to you sir . This article gives me goosebumps. I hope it will definitely change my life for good

November 19, 2018 at 12:27 pm

I agree! This was very helpful and I will use it as a future reference!

November 24, 2018 at 12:52 am

July 18, 2019 at 2:43 am

Thanks a lot

March 15, 2020 at 1:17 am

Thank you much Daniel. Like a flow chart, the brain mapping is going to work wonders for connecting the subjects of my study.

November 26, 2020 at 1:31 am

Thanks for the help bro 🤜

December 11, 2020 at 8:20 pm

I became addicted to video games… soon after that my grades started falling… I’m currently in one of the best schools in the country but I’m the worst student in the class. I don’t know what to do… I literally can’t study anymore like I used to… hope this is gonna help me.

April 3, 2021 at 6:57 pm

Hi, maybe do not pressure yourself too much. I’m no pro but maybe setting your goal to get better scores than the second worst at first and then go rank higher each time, like levelling up. It can be fun and motivational.

Don’t play too much that you won’t sleep and eat properly. (Important bro) If gaming has become your life then think of your brain as a cpu and school a tryhard game and exam a high boss.

May 3, 2018 at 2:10 am

Very useful tips Thank you doctor

May 3, 2018 at 8:49 am

You’re welcome, Sulaiman.

May 13, 2018 at 5:08 pm

nice i have encouraged by you

May 13, 2018 at 10:12 pm

You’re welcome!

June 28, 2019 at 4:23 am

August 21, 2018 at 4:53 pm

Thank you doctor it will really help me

September 3, 2018 at 7:22 pm

Really this helped me a lot….thanks for your motivational tips and i loved that tip on bored subjects…Ones again thanks a lot Daniel..love you

September 17, 2018 at 1:06 pm

Nice blog, Thank you for shear this information, It’s very helpful for me and everyone.

October 16, 2018 at 3:48 pm

Love these tips….. Best ones I’ve come across so far hands down 🙂

October 17, 2018 at 7:20 pm

Hi I am Hasin…and I am really struggling due to lack of concentration…I have only 5 months left for a crucial examination and I can’t seem to concentrate even a little bit…I read the article and feel somewhat motivated..But I am not quite sure whether I can actually convert myself from what I am right now…I am really very tensed…I just hope this works out well for me…

November 18, 2018 at 11:17 pm

You don’t have to worry set your mind to it and focus, you will do better than you could ever imagine.

December 14, 2020 at 12:29 am

January 21, 2019 at 4:26 am

bro…….5month due 5months ……more than enough …….dont be worried you nerd

April 23, 2019 at 6:23 pm

How did the exams go?

October 21, 2018 at 8:13 pm

I’m having intrest to study…first my friend was helping me in studies I got first class in Al the semester..but now he is too busy because he is teaching others..if I start to study at that movement I can understand..after tat my mind will b blank..only 2weeks left for my semester examz what should I do now??

July 17, 2019 at 1:00 am

No brother u dont have any intrest in study .Ur fathers pays money to the college to ask dought their to more and more educated qualified proffesor thain ur friend .u suppose clear your doughts from professor. So if u really want to study hard be regular in college logoff from social media take urself out from the comfort zone ,if u did the same from that period u dont need friend their to teach u .thanku

November 4, 2018 at 9:30 am

Don’t worry everything will be alright just focus on your study.

November 10, 2018 at 4:00 pm

nice thoughts to fight challenging problems

November 14, 2018 at 9:00 am

Needed it right now. phew. Thanks!

November 16, 2018 at 1:05 am

Arigato Doctor. It really helps🙃

November 17, 2018 at 7:20 pm

I needed this. I’m quiet motivated. Thank you so much.

December 26, 2018 at 8:35 pm

Great tips! One of the most basic things that we need to understand is that each and every child has a different learning capacity and different learning style. Some child might grasp things quickly, while others may take time. In high school, more studying techniques are there which can help students to score well in exams.

December 27, 2018 at 12:26 am

I need to be a member

January 4, 2019 at 4:30 pm

Hey I’m feeling motivated by reading this. And some lf the tips are really perfect for me. I literally get fully help from this article.

January 9, 2019 at 3:43 am

Really this is very helpful I like all tips thank you so much

January 18, 2019 at 12:25 am

This feels really good and it helped me a lot too thanks much!

January 19, 2019 at 9:49 pm

Explained By Heart ! Thank You Sir..

January 25, 2019 at 9:02 pm

Thanks to your hurt opinion,Really its too good.

July 17, 2019 at 1:03 am

Yes ,I’m getting hurted as well.can u please share ur ideology. I want to write a book on that.plz😭😭😭😁😭😁😭😍

January 29, 2019 at 10:21 pm

This is really helpful…I have one of my most important exams in my life in April, but I have bit of lacks here and there. Though I know 2 months is a huge time if I try, but I was really lost about how to start, now I can see some light…..Thanks a lot, for sharing these awesome ideas.

February 5, 2019 at 4:47 pm

The best way to start the study is switched off your cell phone or handover it to your parents. Then other factors will automatically followed.

February 1, 2019 at 12:15 am

The best motivational article I have ever read.thanks and keep it up.

February 2, 2019 at 1:04 am

It is really a wonderful motivation it’ll help to those who are feeling like they can’t…I’ll surely implement this during my study holidays n I am sure that I’ll get the top most rank …tqs for motivation..

February 2, 2019 at 1:16 am

i have a studying anxiety,,,my exam wkll be in 2 months and still struggling in preparing for it 🙁 i have no motivation and start the day in the idea that i want to study but ending it the opposite and stressed all the time,,any helpful suggestions

February 8, 2019 at 5:13 am

-#9 is powerful!

February 9, 2019 at 7:49 pm

Thanks for the tips and ot was really helpfull and I hope that I get succesfull.

February 11, 2019 at 5:40 pm

Thanks for your most simple and effective ways. I feel things would be easy if one follows even 5 of the above.

February 12, 2019 at 12:09 pm

final exams coming up in 2 weeks and here i am… i re-read this article whenever i feel demotivated and it definitely shows me some light. its too late for me now, but i must say, the biggest distraction is definitely your phone. so guys just give them away to your parents or whom so ever, atleast when u r studying. and make sure u hv a nice and quiet study environment. take small breaks in between and keep ur table stocked on light and healthy snacks. dont stay up too late and get atleast 6 hrs lf sleep. i hv soo many tips from reading many articles but i fail to implement it on my own study routine. anyways, all the best u guys!!! 🙂

February 13, 2019 at 2:36 am

Really these are very helpful tips and the only thing is that we have to use these tips so that we will succeed

February 14, 2019 at 2:07 am

All of your tips are really helpfull and amazing . Thank you so much for giving us such a nice ideas to get rid of our troubles.It helps me alot .

Thanks once again.

February 22, 2019 at 10:43 pm

Hi, Good day. I thank you for the paper. But, to be honest, I can not find out exactly why I do not study. I always scored good grades, but I never remember to have a strange motive for studying. And rightly so now that I am justified by a fateful exam, I do not want to study at all I’ve gotten caught up with everything and there’s no incentive to move forward I see all my dreams and I have no interest in moving I do not know what I’m doing? Thank you, if you help me

February 24, 2019 at 12:19 pm

Thank u so much

February 26, 2019 at 1:47 pm

One of the best articles have come across!. Thank you so much sir!☺ Feeling much much better.🙏

March 4, 2019 at 2:52 am

Thank you so much for typing in such an amazing article or in fact all the helpful factors that we ever needed thank you once again.

March 5, 2019 at 2:46 am

Honestly it wasn’t really helpful for me cuz I’m studying Russian and it’s really boring but I can’t ask myself those questions to make it more interesting….

March 9, 2019 at 4:50 pm

very inspiring thoughts sir.thank you!

March 9, 2019 at 5:30 pm

for me it usually happens when i decide to miss a class or two and things pile up and i get more caught up in other things besides school. Once that point hits and midterms come around next week i have to try to cram up everything because it feels like i didn’t actually learn anything up until now, it was just memorizing for quizzes and doing small homework assignments. now even knowing what to study and having the material in front of me i don’t feel motivated at all. I am a senior in college now studying computer science. I hate trying to understand certain code or other things and I end up rereading my notes or things multiple times while thinking about something else (like how much i screwed up by taking days off class!)

March 10, 2019 at 1:52 am

Thank you so much Tip 05 wow motivated me alot… am about to start studying my books now thanks to you.

But hey I got a big problem ,I can’t concentrate when my phone is not here with me. I become disturbed cause i think of it all the time while studying what should do?

March 11, 2019 at 1:01 am

Great. All these tips are really based on real facts. thanks for sharing the details.

April 1, 2019 at 8:01 am

You’re right!

March 12, 2019 at 11:07 pm

I know that if I try I can actually good grade but i m not motivated enough to try I can’t seem to get my seldf into the mood of studying since I can’t study more than one day before cause my school gives a test every day two tests on Wednesdays and homework and above all that we are learning a new language and I’m really stressed out!! I really don’t know what to do!! Please help!!!!!

March 28, 2019 at 4:08 pm

This is the best article I’ve ever read regarding procrastination !!

April 1, 2019 at 7:59 am

Thank you for this tips. 😊

April 5, 2019 at 7:44 pm

Tq so much ,I just read it’s benefit for me ,I wish I Follow your tips ..

April 8, 2019 at 2:14 pm

Thank you sir, for your great motivation.

May 6, 2019 at 1:24 am

I LIKE THAT DANIEL WONG YOU ARE HARD WORKING.’!’

May 13, 2019 at 1:10 am

Hi,my name is Ada. i just have a month and a half left of school and they are full of exams and i just cant seem to focus i don`t know what i am doing wrong because i love studying and getting a good grade but know i just don`t care. and the worst part is i really want to become a doc but i am just not getting motivated to study

May 15, 2019 at 3:06 am

I like this . It is very helpful thx

May 17, 2019 at 3:04 am

I MUST STUDY HARD THAN THINK. IT IS GREAT SUCCES IN MY FUTURE. THANKS TO DR WONG

May 19, 2019 at 2:30 am

It was an amazing article!!!. After a long period of time i regained my motivation towards studies. Thanks for such a awesome and organized suggestion.

May 20, 2019 at 12:32 am

Lovely ideas. Feeling much more motivated

May 21, 2019 at 8:45 pm

So my exam’s the day after tomorrow and I’m sitting here reading motivational blogs…..what even is my life

June 11, 2019 at 5:17 pm

Excellent article!!! For past several weeks,I was looking up for some kind of motivation and this article helped me to regain my interest in studies.Thnks a lot

June 20, 2019 at 1:30 am

Really i thought i am not motivate by anyone but i m wrong. i m feeling pleasure at the moment this is a unique way to motivate and one of best essay in world

July 29, 2019 at 12:34 am

Although i am one of top 10 students of my own class but in routine its also hard for me to be motivated and concentrated daily. so thanks for such great advice , hope it will work.

August 20, 2019 at 2:46 am

Instead of studying I’m reading this article wow 😭

September 19, 2019 at 8:03 pm

Very interesting and effective ways….. Thank you for giving us this article…

October 1, 2019 at 4:53 am

this article will save my life

October 3, 2019 at 12:14 am

My mom doesn’t have much confidence in me so this was motivating and I really appreciate your efforts and hope I really do well this year

October 3, 2019 at 11:56 pm

Wow what an amazing article thanks for this precious article it is really helped to me a lot

November 20, 2019 at 2:16 pm

I love this read with our children. Thank you so much..

November 27, 2019 at 12:30 am

I want to study

December 7, 2019 at 1:46 am

thank you daniel for giving me wonderful information

December 18, 2019 at 11:14 pm

Before I came here, I was obsessed from playing minecraft. But my exams were going on. But after visiting here, I think I am kind of relieved now. Thanx Dr. Daniel Wong

December 20, 2019 at 2:42 pm

Such a beautiful article! Really helped !All the points are so inspirational. Thank God I found this

December 29, 2019 at 7:14 pm

Awesome article Daniel. All the points are spot on. This article is motivating to not only students,kids but also to adults as we are all students of life. Thank you .

December 31, 2019 at 8:34 pm

This article is very helpful for regular study to achieve a goal. Thanks so much!!!!

January 15, 2020 at 12:49 am

Hi Mr.Daniel ,I am Diana from Ghana. Waaaw this article is indeed a God sent to me ,and I was wandering how I’m I going to excel in my exams, but lool and behold got everything here.I really appreciate your efforts and hope that I will get good grades after my exams,God richly bless you.

January 16, 2020 at 2:55 pm

Thanks sir for your help

February 2, 2020 at 11:58 pm

I love ur idea this is amazing trick…to gain intreset in studies…it also helps in making study a daily routine…..9797663167 my whatsapp no. Plz text me there if u have more ideas

February 16, 2020 at 7:36 am

I really do hope this works for me cause I find studying boring🤦‍♂️

February 25, 2020 at 12:39 pm

I am Shwazz from Embu,Kenya …i used to perform brilliantly in my form one but my grades took a nose dive while in form two due to myself indulging into unhealthy friendship and loss of interest to study…am in my final year but the work i have to cover is too large so as to prosper but am not getting that inner instinct to study…..Please come to my rescue

March 2, 2020 at 12:42 am

thanks alot it gave me a hopefull start

March 31, 2020 at 4:53 am

wow now i will study

April 14, 2020 at 9:14 am

Great article. The article helped me to know why I am procrastinating and how to start writing my term papers. Thank you :)🙋‍♂️

May 7, 2020 at 3:11 am

Thanks a lot, you are doing the god’s work!!! I was wondering how to stop procrastinating my work as the exams are near. No 5 has helped me a lot. Can’t thank you enough!!!

May 7, 2020 at 4:12 am

i used to be brilliant student but now cause of fire age and my over confidence i lose my height and be medium class student and step by step i lose moral for studying so even foe tests and finals i dont feel anything so help me to have moral to study helppppp please

June 1, 2020 at 7:23 pm

thanks, doctor

June 8, 2020 at 10:49 pm

hi,,,,im actually preparing for one of the toughest exam in the world,JEE ADVANCE..people say your future is setteled after you get into iits…but my problem is i have no intrest in studies..i have other dreams but to fulfill my dream i have to be on safer side so i need to be in iit but i dont have intrest in studying,….. i know it is irritating for you to read my comment but just imagine how would i be feeling of all these stuff happening to me.. please help me out

June 26, 2020 at 4:36 am

Thank you doctor I appreciate your had work, you really get students issues during time of study.

July 5, 2020 at 11:30 am

The article is so amazing I’m really appreciating you Thank for this Mr.Deniel Keep it Up I am also attending your webminar…

August 19, 2020 at 8:40 am

I just don’t know what to do with myself. If someone motivates me or inspires me, i will remember it for hardly one day and after that i will forget everything and will start following the excuses of not studying. Till now i watched many motivational videos and read articles but i didn’t developed at all. I m just a dumb and boring girl. I think i will never succeed in life.

August 22, 2020 at 6:32 pm

Best motivational article i have ever read………………Thank you sir…

September 14, 2020 at 9:32 pm

I never like motivational articles but this was the best one I have ever read, thanks. Quick question, how can I avoid sleeping while studying?

September 21, 2020 at 4:39 am

In this time of the coronavirus, where we all are quarantined in the house, I am so stressed out… since we are having online classes, I am getting easily distracted through the internet… how should i stop this… hoping for the best.

October 8, 2020 at 7:00 am

Thanks a lot for this article, sir! I am a very competitive student, and I recently got a bad grade on a test and have been feeling low and unproductive, though I still have to do other homework and tests. This article has motivated me to start studying again!

October 19, 2020 at 6:21 pm

I just really wanna try your ideas. Actually I was a JEE main aspirant but really these days I am getting distracted. I will try your techniques to overcome the distractions.

November 2, 2020 at 3:37 am

Carla wants to get through university, and she knows she needs the degree to have a decent life, but she’s just not that into it. She’s never thought of herself as a good student, and that hasn’t changed much at Biust. She has trouble paying attention in those big lecture classes, which mostly seem pretty boring. She’s pretty sure she can pass all her courses, however, as long as she takes the time to study before tests. It doesn’t bother her to skip classes when she’s studying for a test in a different class or finishing a reading assignment she didn’t get around to earlier. She does make it through her first year with a passing grade in every class, even those she didn’t go to very often. Then she fails the second assessment in her first first year class. Depressed, she skips the next couple classes, then feels guilty and goes to the next. It’s even harder to stay awake because now she has no idea what they’re talking about. It’s too late to drop the course, and even a hard night of studying before the final exam isn’t enough to pass the course. In two other classes, she just barely passes. She has no idea what classes to take next semester and is starting to think that maybe she should drop out for now.

What do you think went wrong with Carla’s studies? What advice would give to her?

November 12, 2020 at 12:18 pm

It’s one of the best articles I have ever read! Hats off to you brother!

November 23, 2020 at 8:17 pm

Thanks for sharing, I love this article.

January 17, 2021 at 6:49 pm

What tip do you have for me having the highest motivation, but turning to GTA Chinatown wars?

January 26, 2021 at 5:31 pm

Thanks sir for providing such a motivating and informative post. I was searching for such an article to guide me on how to study better. Finally I found it here. Good luck to you!

February 6, 2021 at 11:30 pm

I’m going to give it a try Hope it works out for me because I’m so restless when it comes to studying

February 23, 2021 at 1:43 am

Thank you it is gonna change my life

February 24, 2021 at 9:44 pm

I really think the problem is not with the students but with the education system. It kills creativity and children’s interest.

March 10, 2021 at 2:59 am

Oh thank you bro

March 24, 2021 at 5:51 am

To be honest I’m a 10th grade student who isn’t going to school for months because of many school problems and my exams are very near and I started to think that even if I study nothing gonna change everything’s going to be ruined no matter how hard I study I can’t change the result but a huge THANKS to you that your article gave me way much courage and motivation that I felt really comfortable like my half of the problems are solved Thanks again

April 23, 2021 at 4:12 pm

Thanks for the great blog!

May 5, 2021 at 11:08 pm

this is so inspirational

May 31, 2021 at 1:43 pm

Thank you sir, It’s very helpful, all the aforementioned steps are so powerful and easy to change ones habit and improves ones interest. I was so passive in the last two months that I even didn’t touch my books and waste all my precious time on social media. But after reading this article, I feel more confident and motivated . It seems hard to start for the first time but I still remember the famous saying that “go to the last mile and enjoy it.” Thank you so much!

July 9, 2021 at 6:50 pm

Thank You For Sharing Valuable Information. Really This Was Very Informative Article.

March 10, 2023 at 9:17 pm

Hope it works out for me because I’m so restless when it comes to studying

October 3, 2023 at 7:56 am

thank you very much for all this information and advice , i am sure it will help me in my studies more

October 11, 2023 at 7:06 pm

Hello. This was an amazing article. You have changed my and Amber’s lives. We will now study a lot, maybe. Thank you sooo much.

November 26, 2023 at 1:00 pm

Thank you Daniel! Bookmarked a while ago, re-reading again. You make it easy to read/digest.

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How to Motivate Yourself to Do Homework

How to Get Motivated to Do Schoolwork to Achieve Stellar Results

To motivate yourself to do homework, set clear, achievable goals, create a distraction-free study space, and establish a regular routine. Use a timer for focused work sessions, reward yourself after completing tasks, and maintain a positive mindset. Remember to take care of your health and seek help if needed.

• Make a Plan: Break tasks into chunks, set realistic goals.
• Seek Help: Find a mentor or use assignment services.
• Set Small Goals: Break homework into smaller, manageable objectives.
• Stay Organized: Keep workspace tidy and schedule organized.
• Take Breaks: Regular breaks to recharge.
• Give Rewards: Treat yourself for completing tasks.
• Stay Positive: Maintain an optimistic mindset.
• Get Specialized Help: Seek assistance for challenging subjects.
• Hang Out With Like-Minded Peers: Surround yourself with motivated friends.
• Eat Nutritiously: Maintain a balanced diet for focus and energy.

Are you wondering how to motivate yourself to do homework? Transform your study routine with actionable tips like staying organized, taking breaks, making a plan, etc. Read this article to help you foster focus and productivity.

Gain insight on tackling assignments and confidently turning your challenges into triumphs. Find out how to embrace the power of positive habits and witness your motivation soar. Let's break the cycle of boredom and ignite your passion for learning.

Instead of letting deadlines overwhelm you, let's turn them into milestones. With our proven methods, you can easily elevate your academic journey and conquer schoolwork. 

Motivation to Do Homework: Learn Why It Matters

Finding motivation for homework can sometimes feel impossible, especially when you're tired and overwhelmed with many responsibilities. But homework was not given by your teachers or professors as a form of torture.

It's a vital element in your academic journey, and staying motivated is the compass guiding the way to complete them. Consider motivation as the fuel propelling you through your seemingly impossible tasks.

Maintaining inspiration is crucial because it transforms routine assignments into valuable learning opportunities.

When you enthusiastically approach your homework, the benefits extend beyond completion—it fosters a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Embrace motivation as a tool for getting things done and fostering a positive and productive mindset. In the academic realm, staying inspired is the key to unlocking the doors to knowledge and answering the question of how to get motivated to do schoolwork.

Make a Plan to Help Jump-start Everything

Every student knows the feeling of being overwhelmed by homework. Sometimes, students can't help but scratch their heads, wondering how to get motivated to do schoolwork. It is indeed easy to drag your feet and procrastinate. The secret to conquering that mountain of assignments?

Make a plan! Start by breaking tasks into manageable chunks and set realistic goals. The key is finding what inspires you—a cozy study spot, a reward system, or a study playlist. Having a plan helps organize your workload and gives you a roadmap to success.

So, take a deep breath, make that plan, and watch as motivation for homework becomes your trusty sidekick on your academic journey! 

Seek Help and Find a Mentor

When wondering how to get motivated to do homework, seeking help and finding a mentor becomes a game-changer. The benefits are profound, whether it's reaching out to an alumna, a high-achieving peer, or even considering a professional online "do my assignment" service.

A mentor provides guidance, shares insights, and instills motivation by offering a fresh perspective. Alumnae brings real-world experience which may help you understand. Your peers offer relatability and can also help explain concepts.

Finally, assignment services provide expert support to ensure you can beat your deadlines.

Guidance not only eases your academic load but also fosters a collaborative spirit. Seeking help makes your assignments less daunting. Instead of feeling as if you're drowning in tasks, your mind becomes more prepared for learning and growth.

Break Things Down and Set Small Goals for Homework Assignments

When wondering how to force yourself to do homework, the secret lies in breaking homework assignments down into smaller chunks. Transform your daunting mountain of tasks into manageable molehills. Start with bite-sized objectives that feel achievable, gradually building momentum.

It's like turning homework into a series of mini-victories, making your workload more digestible. Small goals and specific tasks not only boost motivation but also promote a sense of accomplishment.

So, rather than overwhelming yourself, slice your assignments into manageable portions and check your to-do list.

Then, watch as each completed task propels you forward. It's a strategy that helps you stop procrastinating and makes you spend time working on relevant current and future assignments.

Stay Organized to Help You Crush Those Goals

Are you curious how to get motivation to do homework? The answer lies in staying organized to help you crush your goals. Picture your workspace as a battleground—clutter is the enemy, and order is your ally. It's challenging to stay focused amid chaos.

Studies show that a tidy environment fosters mental clarity. So, organize your tasks, create a schedule, and tidy up your space. As you conquer the clutter, you'll find motivation thriving. A well-ordered work area reflects a well-ordered mind, making your homework journey smoother and the path to your goals clearer.

Get organized and watch your motivation, propelling you to academic excellence! And start expecting good grades, and not just in your favorite subject.

Take Breaks to Help You Recharge and Achieve Homework Fun

Wondering how to get motivated for homework? Embrace the power of breaks to help you recharge and do my homework . Picture your brilliant mind as a battery! Continuous work drains your brain of energy needed for motivation.

Breaks act as the charger, replenishing your mental reserves. It's not about procrastination. Instead, think of these planned breaks as strategic rejuvenation. Step away, stretch, take a walk, or indulge in a quick hobby. Spend some time alone and rest for a few hours.

You'll find renewed focus and energy as you return, making your assignments more sustainable.

Strategic breaks aren't like other distractions.

In fact, they are essential tools for maintaining motivation. So, intersperse your study sessions with short breaks and witness how recharging catalyzes academic success. 

Give Yourself Rewards

Are you thinking how to motivate yourself to do school work, especially when feeling sluggish and tired? The answer lies in giving yourself rewards when hitting milestones. Consider it a pat on your back for a job well done.

Rewards don't have to be grand. Even simple treats can work wonders! When you associate completing tasks with positive reinforcement, it creates a sense of accomplishment. This becomes a powerful motivator, especially during slumps.

Whether it's a brief break, a favorite snack, or a small celebration, these rewards are energy boosts. They will help you inject enthusiasm into your schoolwork grind. Whether you're working on social studies, classical music, or any focused course, there are many reasons why a reward in the first place will make any assignment progress much faster.

Celebrate your victories, big or small. With each celebration, watch motivation become your constant companion. 

Stay Positive and Optimistic

Maintaining an optimistic mindset is the cornerstone of tackling any challenge, including homework. Want to figure out how to stay motivated to do homework?

It starts with cultivating a positive outlook. Embrace each of your assignments as an opportunity to learn and grow. Positivity breeds motivation! When faced with difficulties, view them as stepping stones, not stumbling blocks.

Surround yourself with an optimistic atmosphere—whether it's a neat study space or the support of encouraging friends.

Celebrate small victories and approach each task believing you can conquer it. Positivity makes the homework journey more enjoyable and transforms obstacles into opportunities for success. 

Get Specialized Help When You Need It

Pondering how to be motivated to do homework, especially when facing challenging subjects like math problems or drafting an English essay?

The key is getting specialized help when you need it. College encompasses a spectrum of subjects, from English and humanities to math and statistics.

Seeking math homework help for calculus or essay assistance from experts isn't a sign of weakness. You can think of this as a strategic move. Recognizing when to ask for specialized support is a strength. It alleviates your struggles and fosters a proactive approach to learning.

So, don't hesitate to reach out when faced with academic hurdles.

Specialized help ensures you conquer the complexities and stay motivated on your educational journey. 

Hang Out With Like-Minded Peers

If you're figuring out how to get motivation to do school work, one of the answers could be in the company you keep. Imagine being with friends who party hard and ditch deadlines. Uh-oh, that spells trouble!

Instead, surround yourself with like-minded peers who share your academic goals and enthusiasm. Studying with friends who are equally driven creates a supportive environment that fuels motivation. Exchange ideas and share strategies for work-life balance.

Celebrate your successes together. The collective energy of a group with a common purpose can be contagious, making your academic journey more enjoyable.

When you're in the company of peers who are passionate about learning, the motivation to excel becomes a shared experience, propelling everyone toward success. 

Fuel Your Brain and Body with Nutritious Food 

Listen up! Eat well to stay motivated. Why does your diet play an important role in how to make yourself do homework? What you fuel your brain and body matters!

A balanced diet is the secret weapon for sustained focus and energy. Incorporate brain-boosting foods like fruits, nuts, and whole grains into your meals. Skipping meals leads to fatigue, affecting your concentration.

By nourishing your body, you're investing in your academic success. So, make your plate a palette of productivity. Then, watch how your well-fed body becomes the foundation for a motivated mind. 

Students Tend to Forget Water Intake - Will You?

Hydration is critical when figuring out how to get motivation for homework. Dehydration can significantly impact concentration and focus, putting you in a study slump.

So, as a busy student, it's vital to stay hydrated. Water is not just a refreshing beverage to quench thirst. It's also an amazing cognitive enhancer. Many studies show that even mild dehydration can lead to reduced cognitive performance.

Therefore, keep your water bottle within arm's reach while tackling assignments. And drink before you feel thirsty because you're already mildly dehydrated by then. Water helps with mental sharpness. A well-hydrated brain is focused and ready to take on the challenges of homework. 

Use an Inspiring Music Playlist

Fill your study area with an inspiring music playlist—especially if you're wondering how to become motivated to do school work or contemplating how to do my assignment excellently. Music has a magical quality that can ignite motivation.

Create a playlist filled with fave tunes that uplift your spirits and set the tone for productivity. The right soundtrack can turn mundane tasks into engaging activities.

Whether you need a boost to start your assignments or a rhythm to carry you through to ace a test, music is a powerful ally.

So, put on those headphones, hit play, and let the motivational beats become the backdrop to your academic triumphs. 

How to Get Motivation for Homework - FAQs

How to get motivated to do school work .

Do you wish to unlock how to be motivated to do schoolwork? Think of this as like finding the perfect rhythm for a dance. Start small—break tasks into manageable steps. Surround yourself with a supportive study environment.

Use inspiring music as your soundtrack. Stay positive and celebrate victories. Your academic journey is a dance of determination. 

What can I do when I have no motivation to do homework? 

Feeling the homework blues? When you have no motivation to do homework, start small—break your tasks into bite-sized chunks. Change your scenery, create a dedicated study space, and consider incorporating inspiring music.

Seek support from mentors. Remember, every small effort counts, turning your homework struggle into achievable victories.

Where to find motivation in a few hours for schoolwork when I'm lazy?  

Curious how to do homework when you don't want to? Your journey from laziness to productivity is manageable by breaking tasks into small steps.

Then, create a motivating study environment and consider help. For example, seeking physics homework help or essay writing assistance from professionals when needed.

Every small effort counts because you'll find inspiration in every completed task. 

Is seeking professional help online acceptable? 

Absolutely! When figuring out how to get the motivation to do homework, seeking professional help online is a smart move. Online assistance provides valuable support, guidance, and resources, empowering you to tackle assignments confidently. It's a proactive step towards academic success in the digital age.

If I seek online help, how much will I pay? 

The cost of online help varies based on subject, complexity, and deadline, but consider it an investment in your academic success when exploring how to motivate to do homework. Our platform offers flexible pricing, ensuring accessibility to resources and assistance tailored to your needs and budget. 

Where can I find homework help? 

When wondering how to get yourself to do homework, remember that you're in the digital age and finding homework help is a click away. Explore our online platform for personalized assistance. We provide valuable support, making your homework journey more manageable and efficient. 

Is an online assignment platform legal?

Yes, seeking Python homework help , essay writing assistance, or any other service from an online assignment platform like ours is legal. We are a legitimate resource that aligns with the quest to answer how to get motivated for school work, providing valuable assistance and support to enhance your learning experience.

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How to Motivate Yourself to Do Homework

We all know the drill: homework can be a real drag sometimes. It’s tough staring down a mountain of assignments and not knowing where to even start. And let’s not even talk about those last minute all-nighters just to hit ‘submit’ right before class starts.

Feeling stuck and uninspired to do your homework? Get scrolling for quick and easy strategies to motivate yourself to do homework!

Looking for more student productivity tips? Subscribe to The Flow — our free quick, snappy, value-packed focus and recharge newsletter:

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1. Break It Down

If your to-do list seems too large, try breaking it down into smaller, more manageable chunks.

Have 10 chapters of your textbook to read? Try reading the first paragraph only. Need to write a 1000-word paper? Start by writing the first sentence. Treat each chunk as a mini-goal that can be easily achieved. Soon enough, you’ll be surprised by how much work you’re able to accomplish already, and the momentum will keep you going.

Looking for a way to stay on top of your workload? Here are some of the best Notion assignment trackers to help you out.

2. Develop Routine & Structure

When motivation fails, discipline takes over. By making doing homework a habit, it’s easier to jump back into your study routine and get your tasks done. Start by creating a daily schedule that works for you and do your best to stick with it. Make use of digital planners, grade calculators, and assignment trackers to make doing homework streamlined and more efficient.

Check out some of the best Notion templates for students that you can incorporate into your work routine!

3. Elevate Your Study Space with Aesthetic Tools

The right visuals can be game-changers for your work sessions. A captivating background or well-designed tool can make the difference between slogging through your work and truly enjoying it. When your workspace is a feast for the eyes, you’re naturally more inclined to hunker down and get things done.

Whether it’s a Pomodoro timer set against a Parisian café backdrop or a virtual escape to Mount Fuji, aesthetics can turn your study grind into something you actually look forward to.

If you’re on the hunt for a one-stop-shop for all your study aesthetics, give Flocus a try. It’s a free browser-based productivity dashboard with customizable Pomodoro timers, inspiring quotes, and personalized greetings. Flocus brings a bit of romance to your daily grind. For more options, check out our full round-up of aesthetic study websites .

4. Form a Study Group

Sometimes, all we need is that extra push from our classmates who are doing the same thing to keep us motivated to finish our homework. Share your concerns, bounce ideas off each other, and lean on one another for support. That said, forming a strong support group early on in your school life can really make all the difference.

Not in the mood to meet up with friends at the library? Join the Flocus Discord server with thousands of productivity lovers and students to help you stay accountable and motivated.

5. Connect to Your “Why”

If you’re feeling unmotivated while sitting on a pile of math problems, why not try thinking about the bigger picture? Reflect on how mastering this specific topic can contribute to larger goals that you might have. The homework you’re doing might seem insignificant right now, but it’s slowly building the way for future successes in life.

6. Progress over Perfection

One of the main reasons why students usually procrastinate doing homework is the desire to do it perfectly — but this unhealthy need for perfection might be what’s killing your productivity and motivation. If you’ve spent the last three hours trying to curate the perfect plan to do your assignment, you’re probably doing it wrong. Just get started, and let the momentum guide you! You can always come back and improve later on.

7. Look for Inspiration

Reading self help books, watching study vlogs, or listening to podcasts are all effective means to learn how to stay motivated and boost your productivity. Don’t worry, motivation also often comes from the most unexpected places — a random sticky note, an unexpected text message, or a line from your favorite TV show character.

Check out our curated list of the best study motivation movies to get going with a dose of inspiration!

8. Rest When Needed

Knowing you have loads of schoolwork coming is stressful enough. Maximize the long breaks between Pomodoro sessions by grabbing a snack, doing breathing exercises , stretching, or taking a nap. Having a good amount of rest is a part of being productive and staying motivated.

That wraps up some of our best homework motivation strategies! With these techniques at your disposal, we can only hope that those long overdue assignments will become a thing of the past.

Did we miss any strategies to stay motivated while doing homework? Which strategy is your favorite to use? Let us know in the comments below!

Gridfiti is supported by its audience – when you buy something using the retail links in our posts, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.  Read more  about our affiliate disclaimer.

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How to Motivate Yourself: 11 Tips for Self Improvement

Achieve your goals with these science-backed motivation enhancers.

Setting a goal—anything from getting a degree or landing a new job to achieving a new level of physical fitness—is a big step toward improving your life. But following through to achieve what we’ve set out to accomplish can be challenging, especially on those days when motivation wanes. So how do you follow through on your commitments during those times when you just don’t feel like putting in the work?

We all lose motivation from time to time. When you’re feeling unmotivated, try one of these science-backed strategies to get yourself back on track toward your goal.

Put your goal on the calendar.

Make working toward your goal a habit.

Plan for imperfection.

Set small goals to build momentum.

Track your progress.

Reward yourself for the little wins as well as the big ones.

Embrace positive peer pressure.

Practice gratitude (including for yourself).

Do some mood lifting. 

Change your environment. 

Remember your “why.”

Self-motivation tips

Let's take a closer look at each of the above tips. Here, we'll break down these self-motivation techniques, detailing what they are and the science behind them.

1. Put your goal on the calendar.

One way to give a boost to your internal motivation is to create some external motivation: a target date. Whatever it is you’re aiming to accomplish, put it on the calendar. You may be working toward a goal with a set finish date built in. Examples include preparing for a test or taking a course with a fixed end date. 

If your goal lacks this structure, you can add it by deciding on a date by which you could realistically achieve your goal. 

Want to run a 5k or marathon? Sign up for a race on or near your target date. Considering a degree? Research the application deadline and write it down. Aiming to learn a new career skill? Register for a course and set a target date to finish. 

Having a target date not only helps you stay motivated, it also helps you track your progress—you always know how much further you have to go. This can have a big impact on your performance [ 1 ].

Tip: Setting a target date

Be realistic when setting your target date, but resist the urge to give yourself more time than you’ll need. Studies show that we sometimes perceive longer goals as more difficult, even when they’re not. This can lead to a greater likelihood of procrastination or quitting [ 2 ].

2. Make working toward your goal a habit.

When you make working toward your goal a habit—an automatic conditioned response—you no longer have to rely so much on feeling motivated. How do you turn a behavior into a habit?

Identify a trigger. 

Choose something that you already do everyday, like brushing your teeth or eating lunch, to be a trigger for the action you want to make a habit. Write out an “if-then” plan (also known as an implementation intention).

For example, if you want to create a habit of studying for a class everyday, your if-then plan might look like this:

If I pour my first cup of coffee, then I will spend five minutes on my math homework. 

To build consistency in exercise, it might look like this:

If I get up and brush my teeth, then I will immediately put on my workout clothes.

Making this plan and committing it to writing could increase the likelihood of following through [ 3 ].

Start small.

Notice that the above examples do not say that you’ll read six chapters of your textbook, watch two hours of lecture videos, or spend an hour sweating on the treadmill.

Getting started is often the hardest part on low-motivation days, and starting is much easier when the task is small: Five minutes of study or putting on your workout clothes [ 4 ]. 

These seemingly small actions can prime your mind for the task at hand, so the followthrough—a longer study session or a full workout—can happen more naturally with less mental resistance, according to The Science of Self Help [ 5 ]. 

3. Plan for imperfection.

It’s great to feel excited and confident about achieving your goal, but it’s also possible to be too optimistic [ 6 ]. Not every day will go exactly as planned, and that’s okay. Life happens. 

One way to boost motivation on difficult days is simply to plan for them. As you think about your goal, jot down a list of the things that could get in your way. If you’re taking an online course, this could include:

Losing internet access

Getting a phone call in the middle of a study session

Having a child home sick

Feeling stuck on a difficult concept or assignment

If your goal is to go running everyday, some obstacles might include:

Rainy weather

Getting asked to stay late at work during the time you usually run

We can’t predict everything that could happen, but we can predict those obstacles that are likely to happen from time to time based on our unique circumstances. 

Once you have your list, make a plan for how to handle the obstacle. How can you plan ahead for when your internet goes out? Maybe you could keep a few lecture videos downloaded to your phone or computer for offline access, or you could identify a nearby coffee shop that offers free wifi. 

Now when that obstacle pops up, instead of losing motivation and feeling deflated, you have a plan in place to keep the momentum going.

Keep in mind that for some obstacles, missing your task is a perfectly acceptable plan.  

The WOOP method

Next time you’re setting a goal for yourself, practice the WOOP technique, pioneered by Dr. Gabriele Oettingen. This stands for Wish , Outcome , Obstacle , and Plan . What is your wish? What would be the outcome of that wish coming true? What main obstacle stands in your way? What can you do to overcome that obstacle?

4. Set small goals to build momentum.

“If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed. If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task, and another, and another.” 

Naval Admiral William H. McRaven gave this advice during his commencement speech at the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. The former Navy SEAL was onto something.

Research shows that frequent small successes can build a sense of momentum that can in turn drive long-term success, especially early in the process [ 7 , 8 ]. Whatever your big goal may be, start by breaking it down into smaller chunks. Getting a new job might be a big goal. Smaller goals could be updating your resume, making a portfolio website, earning a certification, or attending a networking event.

Did you know?

Setting goals at the start of a new week, month, or year can naturally lead to increased motivation [ 9 ]. We tend to mentally associate these temporal landmarks with new beginnings while creating mental distance from any perceived shortcomings in our past. Now that’s what we call a motivational Monday.

5. Track your progress.

Seeing progress can be highly motivating [ 10 ]. You’ll find many tools out there to help you track your goals. This could be as simple as a to-do list or calendar where you can cross off tasks or days as you complete them. Or you might opt for a free tool like Trello , which allows you to create a personalized digital task board to categorize your big goal into daily, weekly, monthly, or even yearly sub goals.

Another option is to draw a progress bar on a sheet of poster board or paper. Hang it somewhere where you’ll see it regularly, and fill it in as you get closer to your goal.

What is a SMART goal?

Sometimes the best goals are SMART goals—specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound. 

6. Reward yourself for the little wins as well as the big ones.

It feels good to be rewarded for our work. But rewards can also improve motivation and performance. Rewarding yourself for reaching small milestones and completing big goals could boost your interest and enjoyment in the work you’re doing [ 11 ]. 

These rewards don’t have to be big or cost a lot of money. Here’s a quick list of ideas you could use to reward yourself:

Take a short break

Go for a walk outside

Enjoy your favorite snack

Read a chapter of your favorite book

Spend a few minutes meditating

Listen to an episode of your favorite podcast

Plan a night out with friends

Play an online game

Visit a free museum or attraction

Have a long bath or shower

Call a friend or family member

Spend a few minutes making your own reward list so that you’re ready to celebrate your wins, big and small.

7. Embrace positive peer pressure.

You’re ultimately the one who puts in the work to achieve your goals. But other people can be a great motivator. 

Research shows that feeling like you’re part of a team can lead to boosted perseverance, engagement, and performance, even if you’re working alone [ 12 ]. Depending on your goal, this might mean joining a study group, running team, gym class, professional organization, or virtual challenge. 

Another study suggests that sharing your goal with someone whose opinion you value can strengthen your commitment to attaining that goal [ 13 ]. For work goals, consider sharing with a mentor or supervisor. You might choose to share educational goals with a teacher or academic advisor, or fitness goals with a coach or fellow gym member who you admire.

8. Practice gratitude (including for yourself).

It might seem like gratitude would lead to complacency and acceptance of the status quo. Yet some studies have shown otherwise. Feelings of gratitude can:

Motivate self-improvement [ 14 ]

Make us feel connected to others (i.e. part of the team) [ 15 ]

Enhance motivation across time, beyond the duration of the gratitude practice [ 16 ]

Induce a sense of wanting to give back [ 17 ]

Improve physical and mental health, as well as sleep [ 18 ]

There’s more than one way to foster an attitude of gratitude. Spend the first five minutes after you wake up going through all the things you feel grateful for. Better yet, write them down in a gratitude journal. Is there someone in your life you’re particularly grateful for? Write them a letter expressing your thanks. 

9. Do some mood lifting. 

A good mood has been linked to increased productivity, and improvement in both quality and quantity of work [ 19 , 20 ]. This doesn’t mean that you have to be positive all the time—that’s not realistic. But if you’re feeling sluggish about working toward your goal, a quick mood lift could be enough to get you started.

Need some ideas for how to boost your mood? You could try to:

Spend some time in nature (or at least get some sunlight) [ 21 ]

Look at some cute pictures or videos of animals on r/aww [ 22 ]

Watch funny videos on YouTube [ 23 ]

Exercise [ 24 ]

Adopt an alter ego (i.e. the Batman effect) [ 25 ]

10. Change your environment. 

Sometimes a change of scenery can help you approach your task with fresh eyes (and a new sense of motivation). This is called the novelty effect—a short-term boost that comes from altering your environment [ 26 ]. 

If you usually study at home, have a session at your local library. Do you always watch lecture videos on your computer? Try downloading them to your phone to watch outside in the park. Switch up your running route, or try a new exercise routine. 

11. Remember your “why.”

Why is this goal important to you? Why is that reason important to you? Why is that important to you? Keep digging until you get to your ultimate “why”—the core value that’s driving your goal. 

To further reinforce your “why,” set an alarm every morning to remind yourself to spend one or two minutes visualizing what success would look like. What would it feel like to achieve your goal?

What’s your career goal?

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Maayan Katzir, Aviv Emanuel, Nira Liberman. " Cognitive performance is enhanced if one knows when the task will end ." Cognition 197 (April 2020).

Meng Zhu, Rajesh Bagchi, Stefan J Hock. " The Mere Deadline Effect: Why More Time Might Sabotage Goal Pursuit ." Journal of Consumer Research 45, no. 5 (April 2018): 1068-1084.

P.M. Gollwitzer. " Implementation intentions: Strong effects of simple plans ." American Psychologist 54, no. 7 (1999): 493-503.

Benjamin Gardner. " Making health habitual: the psychology of ‘habit-formation’ and general practice ." British Journal of General Practice 62, no. 605 (December 2012): 664-666.

The Science of Self-Help. " The Elements of Change: A Grand Unified Theory of Self-Help , https://scienceofselfhelp.org/articles-1/2018/11/28/the-elements-of-change-a-grand-unified-theory-of-self-help." Accessed May 18, 2023.

WOOP. " The science behind WOOP , https://woopmylife.org/en/science." Accessed May 18, 2023.

Seppo E. Iso-Ahola and Charles O. Dotson. " Psychological Momentum—A Key to Continued Success ." Frontiers in Psychology 7 (August 2016): 1326.

Stanford Graduate School of Business. " Focus on Small Steps First, Then Shift to the Larger Goal , https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/insights/focus-small-steps-first-then-shift-larger-goal." Accessed May 18, 2023.

Hengchen Dai, Katherine L. Milkman, Jason Riis. " Put Your Imperfections Behind You: Temporal Landmarks Spur Goal Initiation When They Signal New Beginnings ." Psychological Science 26, no. 12 (November 2015).

ScienceDaily. " Frequently monitoring progress toward goals increases chance of success , https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/10/151029101349.htm." Accessed May 18, 2023.

K. Woolley, A. Fishbach. " It’s about time: Earlier rewards increase intrinsic motivation ." Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 114, no. 6 (2018): 877-890.

Association for Psychological Science. " Just Feeling Like Part of a Team Increases Motivation on Challenging Tasks , https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/minds-business/just-feeling-like-part-of-a-team-increases-motivation-on-challenging-tasks.html." Accessed May 18, 2023.

H.J. Klein, R.B. Lount Jr., H.M. Park, B.J. Linford. " When goals are known: The effects of audience relative status on goal commitment and performance ." Journal of Applied Psychology 105, no. 4 (2020): 372-389.

Christina N. Armenta, Megan M. Fritz, Sonja Lyubomirsky. " Functions of Positive Emotions: Gratitude as a Motivator of Self-Improvement and Positive Change ." Emotion Review 9, no. 3 (June 2017).

University of California, Riverside. " Gratitude and Self-Improvement in Adolescents , http://christinaarmenta.weebly.com/uploads/3/0/7/2/30720023/armenta_spsp_poster_2017_final.pdf." Accessed May 18, 2023.

Norberto Eiji Nawa, Noriko Yamagishi. " Enhanced academic motivation in university students following a 2-week online gratitude journal intervention ." BMC Psychology 9, no. 71 (2021).

Psychology Today. " Motivation and Gratitude: How They Can Go Hand in Hand , https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/comfort-gratitude/202105/motivation-and-gratitude-how-they-can-go-hand-in-hand." Accessed May 18, 2023.

Forbes. " 7 Scientifically Proven Benefits Of Gratitude That Will Motivate You To Give Thanks Year-Round , https://www.forbes.com/sites/amymorin/2014/11/23/7-scientifically-proven-benefits-of-gratitude-that-will-motivate-you-to-give-thanks-year-round/?sh=570a27a6183c." Accessed May 18, 2023.

Jeff Grabmeier. " Got up on the wrong side of the bed? Your work will show it ." Academy of Management Journal (April 2011).

Warwick. " New study shows we work harder when we are happy , https://warwick.ac.uk/newsandevents/pressreleases/new_study_shows/." Accessed May 18, 2023.

Gregory N. Bratman, J. Paul Hamilton, Kevin S. Hahn, Gretchen C. Daily, and James J. Gross. " Nature experience reduces rumination and subgenual prefrontal cortex activation ." PNAS 112, no. 28 (July 2015): 8567-8572.

Hiroshi Nittono, Michiko Fukushima, Akihiro Yano, Hiroki Moriya. " The Power of Kawaii: Viewing Cute Images Promotes a Careful Behavior and Narrows Attentional Focus ." PLOS ONE 7, no. 9 (April 2012).

Dexter Louie, BA, Karolina Brook, MD, and Elizabeth Frates, MD. " The Laughter Prescription ." American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine 10, 4 (September 2014).

The University Record. " Study suggests people should get moving to get happier , https://record.umich.edu/articles/study-suggests-people-should-get-moving-get-happier/." Accessed May 18, 2023.

BBC.com. " The 'Batman Effect': How having an alter ego empowers you , https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20200817-the-batman-effect-how-having-an-alter-ego-empowers-you." Accessed May 18, 2023.

The Science of Self-Help. " Meal Prepping, The Novelty Effect, and "Structured Randomness , https://scienceofselfhelp.org/articles-1/2018/5/25/meal-prepping-the-novelty-effect-and-structured-randomness." Accessed May 18, 2023.

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Tips for Staying Motivated Ahead of College

Learn about yourself and your options..

How to Stay Motivated in High School

1. prioritize assignments.

The key to success in school is staying focused on your coursework. Make a list to get an overall picture of your workload before you start to tackle any of it. Then, make a plan.

It's best to prioritize your more challenging and time-consuming assignments. Although it’s tempting to work on the simplest tasks first, you'll be able to manage your schedule better if you start with the ones that take more time and effort to accomplish.

To determine what your priorities are, rank your assignments in order of importance. Then, rearrange your time and devote more energy toward those assignments that have the greatest impact on your overall coursework and your grades. For more involved projects, you'll need to plot out work time over several weeks.

For example, even though all homework assignments are important, studying for a midterm exam takes priority over writing a paragraph for English class. As you complete each task, think of it as another step on your way to success in college.

However, don't let a task fall through the cracks just because it seems "less important." Remember that all assignments must be completed regardless of the impact on your grades.

By tackling your more difficult and time-consuming studies first, you’ll find yourself feeling more motivated to complete the easier assignments that lie ahead. Think of it as descending from the peak of a mountain rather than struggling to scale one.

2. Set Attainable Goals in Smaller Chunks

If you're having trouble writing a 25-page paper for class because it seems like such a big task, stop focusing on that final page count. Break the paper down into its subsections, and focus on each one individually.

It’s much easier to stay motivated and stop procrastinating by setting goals in smaller, more attainable chunks. It’s also a lot easier on your mental health.

3. Create New Challenges

Changing your approach can help you stay interested in what you’re doing. Some high school assignments tend to feel formulaic after a while, and you may end up feeling like you’re just going through the motions. This can cause you to feel demotivated and drained. Change things up to challenge yourself.

For example, if last semester you wrote a narrative piece in your creative writing class, maybe try writing a poem this time. If you wrote a book report on a biography last time around, try picking another subject you haven’t tackled, such as history.

If your eyes are hurting from staring at your math textbook all night, go online and try to find videos from lively instructors who take another approach to solving math problems.

4. Find a Social Support Network

You are surrounded by people who want to see you succeed, so don’t be afraid to ask for help! Mentors can be teachers, family friends, or even your school counselors. They are there to help you reach your goals and can help you create a study plan that works for you.

Try reaching out to your friends and peers in school as well, and see if you can all bring together a focused study group. Sometimes, it can even be healthy to vent your frustrations to others as a way of clearing your head.

5. Acknowledge Your Accomplishments

Praising yourself for the things you’ve accomplished is a great way to spark motivation. Give yourself a quick reward when you complete an assignment or task. Perhaps you can turn your phone off and only turn it back on once you’ve completed your work. Or reward yourself by taking a walk or getting a snack—whatever works for you. Then move on to the next project.

How can I make studying fun?

There are many ways to make studying fun. For one, you can reward yourself every time you attain a study goal. Did you memorize all of your biology notecards? Time for a slice of pizza. Did you finally hammer down that complicated math equation? Call your friend to talk about it and celebrate.

Probably the most fun way to study is by forming a study group with your friends and classmates. You can bounce ideas off each other and help each other better understand concepts. But be warned: This can be a double-edged sword. If your group doesn’t create a focused and concrete plan for the study session beforehand, you may end up procrastinating more than studying.

How can I stay motivated to complete homework?

Break down your study goals into smaller, more attainable chunks. Instead of panicking over the final page count for a long essay, take on each subtopic in the essay individually, and overcome them one by one.

Another way to stay motivated to complete your homework is to tie a carrot to the end of the stick, so to speak. For example, you can tell yourself, “Once I finish this assignment, and only when I’ve finished this assignment, I can hang out with my friends or play video games.”

Of course, you can also motivate yourself to complete your homework by thinking about how your accomplishment will positively benefit your future. You can think along the lines of, “If I stop procrastinating on this homework assignment and finish it now, I’ll get a better grade in class. If I get a better grade in class, my overall GPA will be higher, and I will look better on my college applications!”

Why do students lose interest in high school?

Students tend to lose interest and motivation in high school for many reasons, including feeling that they're not in a supportive environment, feeling that they’re just going through the motions, or simply feeling burnt out from everything they're doing in their busy lives.

The best way to combat all these negative emotions is to re-spark your love of learning and your motivation to do well. Refer to our five tips for staying motivated in high school when you need help fighting back against discouraging feelings.

Related Articles

Homework Motivational: How to Motivate Yourself to Do Homework

• By Emily Summers
• October 15, 2019

Let’s face it: no one likes to do homework, it cuts into our time with family, friends, and relaxation, not to mention studies that show too much homework can actually be detrimental to learning . Never the less, the appropriate amount of homework has amazing benefits to the learning process of any student, and while it can be a little tedious, a little motivation can go a long way.

But how do you motivate yourself to do homework?

Finding the motivation to do homework is all about creating a balance between efficiency and consistency. On some days, all we need is a nudge to get started, while some days we need a mighty shove just to get up and open a book. Either way, creating a system that works for you, not to mention having the right mindset, can greatly motivate you to complete all your work.

Start with the Right Mindset

Listen to music, set goals and reward yourself, work hard, but not too hard, keep your eyes on your goals, but most importantly, don’t give up.

As with most things, having the right mindset helps you stay motivated, even if it means being motivated to do homework ! The right mindset includes staying away from negative thoughts like “I’m not really in the mood” or “this is too boring”. Yes, those thoughts might be true, but they’re not very helpful.

Instead, reframe that internal monologue into something more productive, like “I’m excited to do [insert activity here] after finishing my homework!” or “homework might be boring, but at least I’m learning something new!”

Remember: the learning process might not be fun now, but it will be in the future when you’re confronted with a situation that requires you to rely on stock knowledge, stock of which you build in your student years.

A great method to reframing your thought process into something more positive and productive is to stop seeing homework as a chore, but rather, as an activity that will help you achieve your future goals. Yes, it might seem mundane now, but always have your future in mind whenever you’re confronted with a challenge.

Most of the time, students don’t do their homework not because it’s too difficult, but because it’s tedious. So, think of it as that: a challenge that, while not always easy, is surmountable and will give you a sense of accomplishment. Once you get behind the idea that homework can give you that sense of pride and accomplishment, the ease of thinking positively increases incrementally. After all: achievement is an addicting feeling!

Never underestimate the power of music: studies show that listening to music while studying can increase productivity , focus, and give students a positive vibe that will help them finish their homework faster and better than without music.

Of course, it needs to be the right kind of music. There’s no one playlist that will magically make you a better student: music is one of the most subjective forms of art, so make a playlist that helps you relax and be calm. It doesn’t matter what genre it is, as long as lowers your stress levels and helps you concentrate on the task at hand.

When listening to music while studying, keep the volume low: this is because the music is there to soothe you and keep outside noise to a minimum; it’s not supposed to be distracting. With this in mind, try listening to instrumental music; the lack of lyrics in instrumental music helps you focus on your studies rather than in the words being sung. You can try listening to classical composers like Beethoven or Mozart, but jazz and guitar music wouldn’t hurt either!

Finishing your homework gives you a great sense of accomplishment and the best way to do that is by turning your homework into a series of goals for you to reach. Once you reach a certain goal, give yourself a little reward! This reward can be anything from your favorite snack, to a small amount of time playing a video game or just taking a walk outside.

Many students use the Pomodoro Technique : it’s a time management technique that helps you chunk up your task (in this case, homework) into smaller, more manageable tasks. This technique is used by companies, factories, and yes, even students, to maximize their work while remaining fresh, focused, and motivated. To do the Pomodoro Technique, break down your homework into smaller tasks that will take around 25 minutes per task. At the end of each 25 minute task, take a short break, around 3 to 5 minutes, and then resume your work.

Once you get used to the idea of your homework as small challenges that pay off big time, it’ll get easier and easier to finish them!

Homework teaches students how to work hard, even when it’s outside school. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to slave away for hours on end. Not only is this cruel, it’s also bad for your learning: researchers found that not only does motivation drop after only a couple of hours of uninterrupted, intense work. In fact, scientists from Hiroshima University found that, while it might differ slightly from person to person, the best way to work is by working or studying for 52 minutes and then taking a 17 minute break.

This helps your brain ‘reset’ and helps it not be bogged down by something monotonous. During your 17 minute break, it’s best to stretch your legs, take a walk, or just do anything that doesn’t involve thinking about your homework. By the time your 17 minutes is up, you’ll find that you’re rearing to get back to work!

Remember: these times might differ from person to person. Some people might still be refreshed and quick after 52 minutes, and some people might take more or less than a 17 minute break. Find what works best for you, and try to work this into your reward system.

Sometimes, the tediousness of doing homework comes from the fact that students forget why they’re doing it in the first place. So, always remember why you’re studying hard: maybe it’s to get the best grades to get you into your dream school, or maybe it’s to keep your grades up so you can continue playing in your varsity.

Whatever your goal, always keep that in mind when you feel your motivation dwindling down. In the grand scheme of things, your homework is a very small hurdle that pays off in dividends in the future. With that in mind, reframe the idea of homework as less of an activity and more of a requirement for you to get one step closer to your dreams. It might not seem like much, but enough baby steps can get you to where you want to be eventually!

Finding the motivation to do homework might not be easy, but it isn’t impossible. The most important part of finding motivation is having the right mindset not just about homework, but about studying in general.

It might not make sense now, but homework does have plenty of benefits: it helps you build a stronger knowledge base for the future, it helps you focus, and most importantly, it teaches you responsibility. Think of it this way: your teachers are entrusting you to get work done without their supervision. Take it as an opportunity not just to get correct answers, but as a way for you to build character and develop positive values that will help you become a better person.

And if you tried everything and still can’t find the motivation, don’t be afraid to seek help! Talk to your parents, guidance counselors, even your friends. Sometimes, all we need is a gentle nudge to get motivated!

About the Author

Emily summers.

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Encouragement Is the Strength: How to Get Motivated to Do Homework

Introduction.

No matter how bad a situation is, enjoying life is always important to us. It’s hard to tell that anyone is fully happy on this planet.

There is nothing constant about happiness. Life is a mixture of feelings and emotions and also various situations. Student life is boring for most students, but if you see it from a different point of view, you might find it encouraging or entertaining.

For instance, many people working hard to settle into their life in their middle age, often say that student life was better at their time, at least there was no tension. However, work-life indeed has more tension and responsibility as well.

But no one can say that student life is stressless.

On the contrary, the modern way of study is more complicated than ever. Moreover, the job market is getting competitive, and thus there is no chance of getting laid back and relaxed for students as their future depends on their educational background and scores.

The way students deal with their studies is not convincing at all. Most of them never get comfortable with their homework. They lack motivation due to high pressure.

Best Ways to Get Motivated for Completing Homework

Motivation is the key to encouraging your working process. If you lack motivation at the age of a student, this can be a serious concern to your future. It’s not just about the semester, but the life decisions.

Well, motivation comes with encouragement, and encouragement comes with healthy conversations and supportive nature. But unfortunately, there is not much time for people to push you for your homework.

Your homework is your responsibility; thus, you have to take some effective steps to get motivated and do your homework properly.

1. First Thing First: Marshal Your Day

This is the first step to starting your day properly.

If you are not able to manage a schedule for your whole day, you will not be able to deal with all the work properly. Homework needs adequate time and a relevant schedule to manage within the time.

Without organizing your day, how will you be able to know that you are completing your tasks on time?

In addition, an organized day will let you understand how effective it is compared to an unorganized day. You will be able to find the loopholes in your days, and that is a prominent process to complete your homework on time.

Moreover, with an organized day, your motivation level will rise and so would your confidence.

2. Work on Your Skills

When you get down to completing different kinds of homework, again and again, you will never get the motivation. For instance, many people do not have the skill to write, and thus they face problems in completing their essay assignments.

In such a case, if you can develop your writing skills, you will be able to complete your writing assignments with ease. So, it is a key process to develop your motivation and encourage yourself to do your homework properly.

3. Confused? Do Not Hesitate to Ask

Getting confused with difficult homework is not uncommon. But most of the students hesitate to ask their professors or instructors for clarification. The process of student motivation can be managed through a proper conversation with their instructors.

When you appreciate your professors or instructors, and you know that they are capable of resolving any problem related to the subject matter, you are already motivated. You just need to complete a simple conversation with your professor or instructor, in order to mitigate your confusion about your tasks.

4. Focus Is the Key: Pave into It

Homework is all about concentration. If you are not focused on your studies, it’s not possible to gain the lost motivation. Being fickle-minded is common in students, but if you indulge in it, being focused will be difficult.

Apart from that, homework is serious work that needs enormous concentration and the power to focus. Moreover, being constant with your concentration is difficult.

What is the rescue?

Try to exercise your focus and use meditation programs.

5. Time Is Power: Do Not Procrastinate

There is nothing more important than time management. It’s time to manage your time to complete your homework. Time management is a continuous process. We have already said that organizing your day is crucial.

At the end of the day, if you see that you have managed your time properly with a proper schedule, your confidence to complete the homework will rise.

6. What If It’s Small? Celebrate It

Dividing your goals into small segments can help you to achieve them more.

Small goals are the key to reaching the ultimate goal, and that is to submit your assignments within the deadline and get good marks as well.

Try to give yourself treats and rewards for completing small goals. This process will help you to get your motivation back on track.

7. Stop: Take A Break

When you think that it’s enough for the day, simply stop doing things. No one is asking you to push yourself to complete all the tasks within a day. Homework or study is all about going forward slowly to the ultimate goal.

Take small breaks and sleep well, or else you can go watch a movie or even enjoy with friends.

Be Smart and Manage Your Homework with Encouragement

Sometimes the situation gets difficult, and you might have to complete more than one assignment at a time, which is impossible for every student to complete. Moreover, if you try to complete the assignment, the quality might be questioned.

So, what’s the solution?

The solution is playing smart and using an essay writing service that is efficient enough to get your job done within time. In this way, you will be able to complete multiple assignments with your efforts and the help the of service.

When you get all the study materials and tasks completed within the deadline, will that not diminish your tension? Lack of tension help to increase your motivation.

Learn How to Focus Your Attention

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How to Get Your Homework Done Fast

Last Updated: March 2, 2024 Fact Checked

Staying Focused

Getting organized, staying motivated, expert q&a.

This article was co-authored by Jake Adams . Jake Adams is an academic tutor and the owner of Simplifi EDU, a Santa Monica, California based online tutoring business offering learning resources and online tutors for academic subjects K-College, SAT & ACT prep, and college admissions applications. With over 14 years of professional tutoring experience, Jake is dedicated to providing his clients the very best online tutoring experience and access to a network of excellent undergraduate and graduate-level tutors from top colleges all over the nation. Jake holds a BS in International Business and Marketing from Pepperdine University. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,151,285 times.

Doing homework can be both time-consuming and frustrating, and you probably want to do more with your free time than just homework. When you have a lot of work to do, it can be tough to work efficiently. By staying focused, organizing and planning, and motivating yourself, you can get your homework done in a timely manner and move onto more fun and exciting activities. But you should start with putting away all distractions such as your devices unless you need them.They are normally the main distraction. You should also work in a quiet place so you are not attempted to go and do something else. For example, you should not work near your TV because you will be tempted to go and watch it.

• Download website-blocking apps such as Freedom or SelfControl to stay focused while using your computer for homework. Some, such as the Chrome extension Strict Workflow, even have the added bonus of preventing you from cancelling the timer once it has started.

• If one subject or type of assignment is taking much more time than the others, you may want to ask for a little extra help in that area from your teacher or parent.
• If you get distracted or go off-task, don't make excuses for yourself. (e.g. "I won't be able to focus until I do this anyway." or "I'm sure it will only take a minute or two."

• Consider consolidating your multiple different subject folders and notebooks into one big binder separated by tab dividers. This way, all of your schoolwork will be in one place.

• Decide how much time you want to spend on your homework collectively.
• Make a list of all the different tasks you need to finish.
• Estimate how much time you’ll be able to spend on each task to finish your homework when you want to.
• Work straight through your list and cross tasks off as you go. [7] X Research source

• A ten page essay that’s due in a week that you haven’t started should be labeled an “A” or “B” while a short five question worksheet due in three days may be labeled a “C”.
• Make sure you don't wait until the last second to get assignments done.

• Try eating celery sticks and apple slices with peanut butter.

Supercharge Your Studying with this Expert Series

Reader Videos

Share a quick video tip and help bring articles to life with your friendly advice. Your insights could make a real difference and help millions of people!

• Wear something very comfortable while you work. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
• Make sure to hand in all assignments on time. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
• Try using a planner to help you remember the tasks that you need to complete. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

Tips from our Readers

• If you set a timer, it can motivate you to get your homework done more quickly. Be sure to take a 2-5 minute break in between. For example, if you're going to do an assignment that you expect to take 30 minutes, set a timer for 15 minutes. Take a 2-minute break when the timer goes off, then set your timer again for 15 minutes.
• It can be good to have friends over if they help motivate you and are interested in getting their homework done quickly as well. They might be a distraction at times but it can also be easier to work when there are people around you who are working too.
• If you drink something cold during your breaks it can help make you more alert so that you'll finish faster. It might also help to do it at night rather than during the day so you feel more time pressure.
• Try to get your homework done as much as you can in school. You could do it during a flex or study hall. If your teacher gives you time in class to work on it, use it.

• Take your time. If you rush through your homework and don’t try your best, you might end up getting a bad grade. Thanks Helpful 176 Not Helpful 19

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/creating-ideal-homework-environment-for-kids-with-adhd-0913164
• ↑ http://info.achs.edu/blog/never-do-homework-in-bed-3-reasons-why
• ↑ https://childmind.org/article/strategies-to-make-homework-go-more-smoothly/
• ↑ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/take-charge-of-distractions/
• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html
• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/homework.html
• ↑ https://ofy.org/blog/homework-hacks-8-tips-get-done-faster/
• ↑ Jake Adams. Academic Tutor & Test Prep Specialist. Expert Interview. 20 May 2020.

About This Article

To get your homework done fast, work in a comfortable, well-lit area that doesn't have any distractions. Also, try setting a timer with however many minutes you want to finish your homework in so you can glance at it as you work and see if you're spending too much time on something. You can also make a to-do list before you get started so you don't waste any time figuring out what you need to be working on. To stay motivated, have a snack and some water nearby, and reward yourself with a fun activity once all your homework is done. To learn how to get organized so it's easier to do your homework, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Get Motivated to Do Homework : 7+ Super Secret Tips

“Confidence and Hard-Work are the best medicine to kill the disease called failure. It will make you a successful person.”- A.P.J Abdul Kalam.

If you want to succeed in every aspect of life, you need to be confident and hard-working. As a student, you need to do hard work in your academics to achieve your desired goals. But sometimes, few students fail to perform in their academics due to various reasons.

One of the primary reasons is they do not take their homework seriously. Homework or assignment is a vital part of a student’s academic knowledge.

Thus, are you also fed up with your homework? Do you lack the motivation to do your homework? Don’t Worry! I’m here to help you. I will answer your question about How to get motivated to do Homework. 

Well, this is a significant problem nowadays. Due to pandemics, students become lazier to do their homework. Many students love school but do not want to do homework.

However, to get motivated to do homework, you have to distribute your work or manage your work in pieces, so you don’t feel embarrassed. 

In this blog, I will mention some tricks and tips on How to get motivated to do homework. With the best state of mind, tricks, and tips, you will quickly be able to increase mind memory even on the least exciting work.

How To Get Motivated to Do Homework : 7+ Super Secret Tips

Table of Contents

Here in this section, we listed 7+ super secret tips on how to get motivated to do homework:

1. Select a Comfortable Location to Study

A lot of people, including essay writer, believe that the location of doing assignments affects learning motivation. One should adjust the area to his particular case. Some people find it easier to do homework in the school library, where the necessary literature exists.

Most people find it more comfortable to lock themselves up to study at the table in their room. Thus, if you can not feel yourself tuned to homework, try new areas; changing the landscape outside the window will surely hit the desire to do tasks. Find your perfect location and complete your home tasks effectively.

2. Set a Goal and Establish Reward Time

Set the goals, so you remember them. Split complex assignments into littler parts and set an objective for each part. Give yourself an award after you finish each part, similar to 10 minutes off, a treat, or even a speedy computer game. You will rapidly figure out how to be inspired to do schoolwork with remunerations.

However, if you have any interest in making game from scratch then you can use Python for this. Get Python homework help for better coding result.

3. Keep Results in Mind

If you need to figure out how to get motivated to do schoolwork, you have to figure out how to estimate the results of your activities. Do you need a few low evaluations? Do you need your colleagues to poke fun at you? Would you like to lose your confidence?

Most likely not; this is the reason you have to devote some time and exertion to getting your work done each day. You’ll get a lot of spare time after you finish it.

4. Study Buddy

Working with a companion can make schoolwork increasingly agreeable. You and your mate can likewise help keep each other motivated. Ensure you pick a companion who is not kidding about completing their work with the goal that you don’t wind up messing about and diverting from each other. 

Doing schoolwork with a companion doesn’t mean working together on similar assignments. You can simply get to know each other while you each accomplish your work. 

Check with your instructor first before cooperating with a companion on a task. They may need you to accomplish the work without anyone else. It is one of the best tips for how to get motivated to do homework.

5. Do Some Physical Exercise

Deal with your physical needs before working. It’s difficult to focus on schoolwork in case you’re faded out, hungry, or awkward. Attempt to get a lot of rest on the off chance that you realize you’ll need to do a lot of schoolwork the following day, and don’t attempt to take a shot at an unfilled stomach or with a full bladder! 

Doing breathing activities can likewise assist you with feeling progressively excellent and alert. 

In case you’re not in a comfortable manner, get changed before you begin working. This may mean joggers, workout pants, PJs, shorts, clothing, or in any event, being stripped. It’s your decision.

6. Take Breaks While You Work

It is one of the best tips for how to get motivated to do homework. You’ll get exhausted and lose concentration rapidly if you attempt to work excessively long without a break. Have a go at laboring for an hour to 90 minutes and afterward take a 15-minute break. This will allow your drained mind to rest and recharge.

During your breaks, you can take a walk, have a tidbit, do a little reflection, or even put your head down for a brisk force snooze. 

You can likewise utilize your breaks to compensate yourself with a pleasant video, or a fast game on your mobile.

7. Listen to Music

While working on homework, music is the best thing to stay motivated toward homework. You have to listen to soft music like calm music, and relaxing music. It helps you increase your concentration power and makes you interested in your schoolwork.

Moreover, you have to listen to music at a low volume, not loud. One of the best pieces of music is instrumental music because it has no lyrics. It is one of the best tips for how to get motivated to do homework.

8. Stay Organised

Staying organized is an essential step in getting motivated to do homework. Finding the materials you need can be challenging when you are not organized, leading to a waste of time and lost motivation. 

To stay organized, ensure you have a separate study space to keep your notes, textbooks, and other materials. Use a planner or a digital calendar to keep track of assignments and deadlines, so you don’t miss anything important. 

Make a to-do list for each study session, outlining the tasks you need to complete. Breaking the work into smaller, more manageable tasks will make you feel less overwhelmed and more motivated to start.

On the other hand, another way to stay organized is to minimize distractions. Turn off your phone or put it in another room, so you cannot check it while working. 

Avoid studying in areas with a lot of noise or other distractions, like in front of the TV or a crowded coffee shop. When you create an organized and distraction-free study environment, staying focused and motivated to do homework will be easier.

How Do You Do Homework When You Can’t Focus?

If you can’t focus on your work, you will continue asking yourself, for what reason am I awful at doing schoolwork? But, this shouldn’t be the situation by any stretch of the imagination. 

Some Points to Stay Focused

• Take some cappuccino to stimulate the mind. 
• Change the environment for a while. 
• Take a cold shower before work
• Listen to the favorite playlist, then start work.
• Likely 30-minute rest is suggested 
• Go to a calm room and settle there

Let’s now discuss why a student does not want to do homework.  

10 Reasons Why Students Does Not Want To Do Homework

Here are 10 reasons why students do not want to do homework: 

• Lack of interest in the subject.
• Over workload or too much homework assigned.
• Difficulty understanding the material or feeling unprepared.
• Procrastination or poor time management skills.
• Prioritizing other activities over homework.
• Lack of motivation or feeling demotivated by previous experiences with homework.
• Personal or family issues that affect the ability to focus on homework.
• Feeling tired after a long day of school or other activities.
• Feeling like the homework is irrelevant or not useful for future goals.
• Having difficulty balancing schoolwork and personal responsibilities.

How to stop procrastinating your homework?

Well, this is an important question. Many students delay their homework and complete it at the very last minute. This is very common. Following are some ways you can use to stop avoiding your homework. 

1. Prioritizing Your Plan

Prepare a strategy to do your homework. It may seem terrifying to think about all the tasks to accomplish, but you can stop yourself from avoiding homework by setting priorities.

Make sure to organize your study timetable. If you are doing any mathematics degree you might need assistance with math homework help. If so then get the best math homework help now.

2. Gather All Necessary Resources

Collect all the material required for your homework. It saves your time as well as you don’t need to look here and there to complete your task. 

3. Understand the value of Homework

Teachers assign homework to the students to revise all the things taught in the classroom. But, students do not know the significance and value of their assignments.

They think homework is irrelevant. If they understand the importance of their homework, they will find it interesting and never feel bored while doing homework. 

• Hidden Secrets of How to Motivate For Study
• How to Motivate Yourself And Get The Best Out of Your Efforts
• Ultimate Guide to How to Finish Your Homework Faster

Conclusion-

All in all, homework plays a vital role in each student’s academic life. However, in this blog, we learned how to get motivated to do homework. The above tips help you to stay motivated toward your homework. So, Good Luck! All the best for your future.

Moreover, our experts provide you with experienced strategies and the best knowledge about every topic. If you want any help, you can contact us for any type of queries and doubts; we will always help you in our best way. On the other hand, if you are interested in programming then get the best javascript homework help now.

Q1. What Is Homework Spelled Backwards?

Does homework spelled backward translate to ‘child abuse’ in Latin? Is it true, Well according to the research, it is totally fake, there is no truth regarding homework spelled backwards actually translates to “child abuse” in Latin language. On the other hand, “ krowemoh ” is not a latin word, because word “W” does not exist in latin language

Q2. What Does Homework Stand For?

The most common acronym that is associated with Homework is – Half Of My Energy Wasted On Random Knowledge.

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How to Motivate Yourself to Do Homework and Study

Motivate Yourself do Homework

In most aspects of life, people need to work hard to get what they want. People need to also be goal-oriented to complete the tasks at hand. The same case applies to academics where students are required to study hard to achieve the best academic outcomes.

Though working hard seems to be the best way students can achieve their academic goals, some of them fail to achieve those goals for various reasons. One of the major reasons why students fail is the lack of motivation. 

If you are one of those students who are fed up or unmotivated to complete their homework, this article will provide the best methods you as a student can utilize to motivate yourself to do homework. 

1. Chose a Quiet Place

Selecting a quiet place is one of the best hacks you can utilize to motivate yourself to do homework.

This is because quiet places will be free from unnecessary noise, distractions, people, and other things that can make the process of completing your homework difficult. 

Quiet places do not translate to exotic places within the jungles of the Amazon. A quiet place can be your room where you can control what happens inside. It is a safe space in which you can work without being disrupted by anything other than yourself.

For example, you can lock yourself into your bedroom for about one hour or two to do your homework. You can switch off all the electronics to enhance your concentration. 

2. Listen to Music

The second option that can motivate you to do your homework is listening to music. This especially applies to soft, calm, and relaxing music that helps in boosting the power of your concentration.

Additionally, if you are enjoying the music, it will have a positive impact on your homework because you will also enjoy doing it.

However, such music should be listened to at low volumes. Additionally, the music should not be too distracting as if you have attended a concert. In most cases, students should listen to instrumental music since it lacks distracting lyrics that may take some of your attention. 

Though this is the case, some students may find the first tip, choosing a quiet place, to be the best option to motivate themselves to do homework. Some students can only concentrate on their academic tasks when they are experiencing complete silence. If you are such a student, skip this tip. 

3. Selecting a Comfortable Place

This is yet another viable option to motivate yourself to do homework. The location in which you are can greatly affect your productivity while tackling academic tasks.

If you find that the current place you are used to doing your homework is ineffective, it is best to select another location to optimize your productivity.

For example, if you were used to working on your homework at home and it has proved ineffective in motivating you, it is best to select your school library or a library around you.

Libraries are the best options because they not only offer a silent location but also provide the necessary literature to aid in your homework research. 

4. Setting Goals and Establishing Reward Time

If you are trying to motivate yourself to do homework, another tip can be to set your homework goals and stick to them. You can achieve this by dividing complex assignments into smaller parts.

The objectives or goals should be to tackle those smaller parts of the more complex assignment over a set duration. 

If you complete a particular part within the stipulated time, you can take some time to reward yourself. Here, you can take your favorite treats or play a computer game.

If you get used to this routine, you will realize that it will be easier to find motivation even when handling extremely complex or boring assignments. 

5. Being Result Oriented

This tip will force you to remain motivated to do your homework. No student wants to regard by classmates as the guy who doesn’t get it. Students and people, in general, like to be regarded as smart.

In school, getting good grades on your homework will indicate that you are smart and this will further boost your confidence in tackling other things.

Therefore, you should be goal oriented or keep the results in mind before doing your homework. This will motivate you into doing it and delivering A-grade content . 

6. Finding a Study Buddy

If you are always feeling unmotivated to do your homework, it is best to find a study buddy or just a friend with whom you can be working towards completing your assignments.

Make sure that you find a study buddy who is serious and can motivate you in completing the homework. 

7. Taking Breaks

Finally, taking breaks while working on your homework is a good way to find motivation. This is because working without having a break can be exhausting and result in a loss of concentration.

Thus, if you have devoted 3 hours to work on your homework, you can decide to take 15-minute breaks after each hour.

Your brain rests and recharges during those breaks. You can use the breaks to reward yourself as mentioned above or simply nap. 

Why Students Have no Motivation to do Homework in College

Laziness         .

Laziness can be regarded as one of the major factors that make students lack the motivation to do their homework in college. Yes, we understand that homework can be complex or boring.

However, you need to complete it and get a good grade to succeed academically. Therefore, it is important to fight laziness to help in tackling complex and boring tasks. 

An important tip to overcome laziness while trying to complete your homework is to find motivation.

The 7 tips explained in this article can help you find the motivation to beat laziness. If you beat laziness, you can complete your homework successfully. 

Being Overwhelmed

Even though the life of an average student revolves around school and personal life, either of them or both can be overwhelming.

Additionally, some students may find jobs to support their lives as they study. This can add additional strain to their lives hence resulting in stress. 

To overcome this, it is best to set your priorities right. For example, if you have an urgent assignment that has to be completed, you can take a break from your usual routine, including a shift off from work, and complete the homework.

This can help you focus on the task at hand and produce quality work. Furthermore, you should have an effective schedule that will guide your daily routine.

The schedule should have enough time to deal with schoolwork and still leave enough time for personal life and even work. 

The Homework is Simply not Your Thing

This is a valid reason why students have no motivation to do their homework in college. In most cases, such students are not enjoying what they are doing or the subject they are learning. Maybe a student does not like mathematics or history and they are being forced to attend their class and complete the subjects’ homework.

This does not work for them and they will simply lack the motivation to do the homework. 

The point is this, if the homework is mandatory to complete, it is important to employ some of the aforementioned tips to find motivation.

AAfter all, getting good grades in college is very important in achieving a good life in the future. 

With over 10 years in academia and academic assistance, Alicia Smart is the epitome of excellence in the writing industry. She is our chief editor and in charge of the writing department at Grade Bees.

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How To Motivate Yourself To Do Homework

Students losing motivation to do homework is very common, and sometimes they fail to motivate themselves back to do homework. There can be multiple reasons for their distraction like someone messaging them, good weather outside, online games, songs, people visiting their home, etc.

Now leaving homework is not the solution. One should always do his homework on time to perform well in exams.

If students start giving up on their motivation and leave their homework, it will harm them in terms of knowledge, and they won’t be able to perform well in their assessments. 

No Motivation To Do Homework?

Here are some of the tips you can follow to motivate yourself to do homework

It is effortless to keep yourself motivated to do your homework, just follow these simple steps, and you will never be too demotivated to leave your homework undone.

Eliminate Your Distractions

Do you feel lazy while doing homework? You should be very well aware of the things that distract you. While doing homework, keep all those distractions aside, and that will help you a lot to focus on your studies. 

The possible distractions for anyone could be TV, mobile phones, cousins, weather, songs, etc. Try to sit at a place where you don’t have these things near you so that you’re not influenced to get engaged in them and leave your homework. 

Choose a good place for your Studies

How will you do the homework when you are not feeling like doing it? I believe that the place you’re sitting has a significant impact on your motivation. There is no hard and fast rule. You can have any specific place of your choice where you feel that your concentration is good and you can get your school tasks done in less time. 

Some people like to do their homework on that day at school in some spare time, some likes to sit in the library and some find their bed where they can concentrate well. 

Look for Motivation to Complete Your Homework

Why is it so hard for us to do homework? It’s essential to build motivation for doing homework. The motivation for doing the homework can be many. Some students like to be the best in the eyes of their teachers , and they are driven to do everything as soon as possible so that the teachers praise them. The motivation can be achieving good grades in that subject.

Compete with Someone

This can be an extremely productive technique. You can challenge your friend who is equally good at studies as you are or even more than you so that you are encouraged to be at his level or even good than him. Try to complete your assignments before your friends and aim for scoring higher grades than them. This will lead you to be highly motivated to complete the homework properly without any mistakes to ace the challenge.

Take Help from Google

When you are too bored looking at the copies and books, try to search for the topic on google, you will get a vast knowledge about every topic. It will boost your interest in exploring more about that particular topic. As a result, you will be able to think in various dimensions, and your answers will be better than your classmates.

No motivation to do college homework?

Many students have misconceptions about college, and the image has been built up from the movies, TV shows, etc.

The reality is quite different. As the standard increases, so are the level of studies, and it gets tricky when college starts. Many students tend to lose motivation because they enjoy fun and stop giving time to their studies. As a result, the motivation to do assignments becomes zero.

In college, not only does the standard of studies gets higher but also becomes double as compared to school studies. 

There can be multiple reasons you find yourself losing motivation in college: 

• The standard of the classes has become very tough all of a sudden. 
• Your classes are no more attractive. 
• You might have selected the wrong college for yourself. 
• You might have failed to make good companions. 

Tips that can help you stay motivated in college

Think about your future.

You should never forget that you have a university ahead. Getting admission to a good university requires good grades and knowledge. Working hard and meeting deadlines will make you stay on track.

Have Gratitude

Gratitude is fundamental in life, and it helps you stay grounded . You being able to get admission to college is also a blessing. Think about how hard you have worked to be here, and now losing the motivation at this level will harm you in the long term.

Be Attentive in the Classroom

Try to focus on your lecture and engage as much as you can. Ask frequent questions from the lecturer related to the topic. It will clear your vision and develop your interest. As a result, you will be motivated to do the assignment or homework related to that topic.

Look for Classmates who you can study with

Positive people have a significant influence on others. Try to surround yourself with hardworking and goal-oriented students, and it will have a significant impact on you. They can motivate you whenever you are losing track.

How to motivate yourself to do homework with ADHD?

• Make a task list.
• Start small.
• Take help from others.
• Create a reward for yourself.

How to motivate yourself to do homework when depressed?

If you are suffering from depression and unable to do homework, try exercising daily, walking for some time, and starting a hobby.

How to motivate yourself to do homework on Reddit?

Set alarms for your tasks and try to complete them in that time. It will keep you motivated to complete your homework on time. 

How to motivate yourself to do homework when you are tired? 

• Choose a good and refreshing place.
• Eliminate distractions.
• Combine study. 
• Challenge your best friend.

How to motivate yourself to do homework during quarantine? 

During quarantine, the motivation to do homework becomes zero. Make your routine, organize yourself, and break down your tasks to stay motivated.

How to get motivated to do school work when depressed?

• Visit a therapist. 
• Prioritize your work.
• Give yourself time. 

If you are the one that has lost all the motivation to do homework for school or college, this article will be of good use to you. 

I hope that the article was helpful and it has motivated you to make changes in yourself. 

Note that, Consistency is the key. If you make rules for yourself and follow that, you will never be demotivated to do your homework.

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Advice for the Unmotivated

• Robin Abrahams
• Boris Groysberg

How to reignite your enthusiasm for work

Employee disengagement is rampant in the workplace. We’ve all experienced it as customers encountering unhelpful retail clerks and as colleagues dealing with apathetic teammates. But what happens when you yourself feel dead at work?

This article describes what you as an individual can do to sustain your motivation or recover it, even in the most stultifying of jobs. After synthesizing research on this challenge and experimenting with various strategies, the authors have developed a process for recharging yourself called DEAR.

The first step is to detach and objectively analyze your situation so that you can make wise choices about it, instead of reacting in a fight-or-flight way. At day’s end, review what went well at your job and then mentally disconnect from it to give yourself a break. Meditation and exercise can help you do that and will improve your mood and cognitive function. Next, show empathy. Practice self-care, make friends, recognize the accomplishments of others, seek their views, and help them. Research shows that this combats burnout. Third, take action: achieve small wins, invest in rewarding outside activities, redefine your responsibilities, and turn uninteresting tasks into games. Ask yourself how someone you admire would behave in your situation, and dress in a way that projects confidence. Last, reframe your thinking: Focus on the informal roles you enjoy at work, your job’s higher-order purpose, and how others benefit from your work. All these techniques will improve your mental health and increase the energy you bring to your job—even if it is not what you’d like it to be.

In virtually everyone’s career, there comes a time when motivation and interest vanish. The usual tasks feel tedious. It’s hard to muster the energy for new projects. Though we go through the motions of being good employees or managers, we’re not really “there.” We become ghosts or zombies: the working dead.

• Robin Abrahams is a research associate at Harvard Business School.
• BG Boris Groysberg is a professor of business administration in the Organizational Behavior unit at Harvard Business School and a faculty affiliate at the school’s Race, Gender & Equity Initiative. He is the coauthor, with Colleen Ammerman, of Glass Half-Broken: Shattering the Barriers That Still Hold Women Back at Work (Harvard Business Review Press, 2021). bgroysberg

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How to battle boredom at work

Assistant Professor of Management and Organization, University of Notre Dame

Disclosure statement

Casher Belinda does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

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Though neuroscience suggests that boredom can be good for us , we all try to avoid it. Even the most exciting jobs in the world — astronaut, nuclear engineer, helicopter pilot, virus hunter — can be filled with drudgery at times. Nobody is immune from paperwork and meetings.

The problem with boredom at work is that its negative effects can linger. You might be able to power through a mind-numbing task, like putting stamps on 500 envelopes, but in doing so you harm your ability to accomplish subsequent tasks. Suppressing boredom doesn’t prevent its effects; it simply places them on hold until later.

Like whack-a-mole, downplaying boredom on one task results in attention and productivity deficits that will bubble up again.

In new peer-reviewed research, my colleagues and I show that a more effective approach is to alternate boring tasks with meaningful ones . This helps prevent the effects of boredom from spilling over into subsequent tasks.

These findings are based on several studies we conducted. For example, we asked volunteers to watch either a tedious video on the different kinds of paint that can be used inside a house or a more interesting one on a Rube Goldberg machine . On a subsequent task, the participants who watched the boring paint video mind-wandered more and were less productive — but not when they were told that the task would be used to help children with autism. In other words, when the second task was made to appear meaningful, this offset some of the negative effects of boredom.

Boredom serves an important purpose. It signals to us that we should stop what we’re doing and do something — anything — else. But boredom can become problematic if we try to ignore it.

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