Study motivation

Study motivation

Slackness explained

Only you can decide what’s behind your work-shy attitude. If you’re hoping to give yourself a kick up the backside, begin by understanding why you’ve lost momentum in the first place.

Here are some main offenders to having a work-shy attitude:

• Lack of interest – your coursework leaves you cold
• Lack of focus – any long-term goals, like graduating, don’t register
• Lack of drive – you’re not good at working under your own steam

Stress, depression, the break-up of a relationship, or problems with drink or drugs our some other factors. The key is to highlight what’s holding you back, in order to take steps to overcome the situation.

Share the problem

It takes courage to admit the only time you get your head down is when it hits your pillow, there’s no shame in admitting you’ve been slacking. What’s more, people will want to help. Whether it’s a course tutor, your student welfare officer or even a good friend, they can help you get back on track. But first, of course, you have to want to help yourself.

Prepare to change

So you’ve worked out what’s wrong, and taken steps to sort out underlying issues. With nothing to hold you back, you need to look at ways of firing your enthusiasm.

There are several strategies. Outlined below, but first establish the willpower to make them work for you. That you’ve identified a problem with knuckling down is an important first step. It shows you want to make a change. The key now is to build on it.

Motivation made easy

You can kick back with a clear conscience if you get the work done properly. Here are the only four steps you need to achieve on it.

• Create the space: establish an area for you to work, wherever you live, from a hall of residence to shared accommodation. Restricting a small area for you to open your books will help to create boundaries between work and play.
• Ditch the distraction: cut out anything that tempts you from the task in hand, such as the telly or even music. If you can’t work in silence, listen to music with no lyrics, or anything so complex you feel compelled to shut your eyes and listen. Also consider staying in during the week and just going out at the weekend, when you’re free to party with a clear conscience.
• Establish a work schedule: the run up to exams, it is important to get a grip. Often a fear of the workload ahead is enough to tempt many into work-dodging habits. The way forward is to break up the slog into more manageable sessions. If you’re faced with six hours worth of work, for example, why not spilt it into three two-hour sessions? You’ll feel like you’ve achieved something faster, which is a buzz that’ll keep you going.
• Create regular breaks and rewards: There’s nothing like the prospect of a treat to keep you focused, so be sure to give them to yourself. Five minutes free time every hour will help maintain spark and drive. Use the opportunity to leave your working environment, get some fresh air, or do something that is rewarding. Also think on a long-term basis, and line up something really special for getting through your exams or academic year. As for the moment that you graduate, if you can say you’ve worked your hardest then you’ll be guaranteed to enjoy the rest and relaxation follows.