This post is all about how to stay motivated in college even when it seems impossible.
Staying motivated in college is not an easy task especially when you have assignment after assignment due, tests, quizzes, and projects! It’s also difficult to study when all you want to do is curl up and watch Netflix or hang out with your friends…we’ve all been there 😉
Usually, my biggest problem is finding the motivation to even start the task at hand! It may seem difficult at first but I’ve discovered a few tips that help me stay more motivated in college and will help you too!
Best Ways To Stay Motivated in College:
1. Create a routine:
Having a routine that you can count on every day will make your life a lot easier! You will feel more organized and focused because you will know exactly what you’re doing and when.
Your daily routine will most likely vary depending on the classes and assignments you have which is totally okay. You can try mapping out the following day before you go to sleep so you know exactly what to expect when you wake up. Or you can just map out your day in the morning.
Creating a routine will save you a lot of time and unnecessary stress while helping to keep you focused and motivated.
2. Work in your favorite study spot:
Do you ever find that you’re just a lot more productive in some places than others? If so, take advantage of that! Try to study and work in a spot that you enjoy being in whether it’s your school’s library, a cute coffee shop, or even a nice spot outside.
This will definitely help to increase your productivity and motivation.
3. Create a to-do list (and star the attainable ones)
To-do lists are great and the feeling you get when checking something off your list is even better but… they can also be super overwhelming!
I find it very helpful to write down everything I need to do in the next couple of days/week on my to-do list. I am very specific and write everything down (assignments, projects, emails I need to send, anything for clubs, etc)
But… I make sure to star the attainable to-dos that I actually think I can get done that day. It’s really important to be honest with yourself about what you can actually get done because if you aren’t you’re going to get a ton of stuff done and still feel like you didn’t accomplish your goals.
It’s better to star like 3 things on your list that you know you can actually get done and maybe complete more than vice versa.
The next day, I move my previous to-dos that I didn’t complete to a new list in my planner and add anything new. This method works great for me and can hopefully help you too!
Related Post: 13 Essential Productivity Tips For College Students You Need To Know
4. Remember what you’re working towards:
You’re working hard and probably starting to get really tired, especially now that the semester’s almost over.
One of my professors was talking to my class yesterday that in any good class there is always a climax (basically when we learn the most important/interesting information that we have the potential to learn a lot from.) Buttt he said the problem is that the climax of most classes usually happens around this time, when everyone is feeling burnt out, and he is so right!
Try to live in the moment and remember why you’re in school. You’re doing all of this hard work for a reason and it will totally pay off. Just be patient and enjoy the semester!!
5. Take Breaks:
Working hard for a long period of time is one of the fastest ways to lose your motivation. It’s really helpful to take a 5-10 minute break every 30 to 45 minutes. You can walk around, grab a snack, or some water. This will also give your brain a chance to reset so you can be more focused and ready to work afterwards.
In my own experience, I have found breaks helpful if I make sure that what I’m doing during the break isn’t too distracting. I definitely don’t recommend laying down, watching TV, or even scrolling on social media during this break unless you’re sure that you’ll be able to refocus after.
6. Listen to motivational podcasts and music:
I love love love listening to podcasts and music! Some of my favorite motivational podcasts are the Skinny Confidential Him and Her Show and The Ramsey Show. Both of these are super motivational and always teach me new things that are actually useful.
It’s also fun to listen to your favorite music. Anything that pumps you up and puts you in a good mood is always good to listen to. My favorites are anything Taylor Swift, and AJR (p.s. their new album OK ORCHESTRA is so good!)
I also really like listening to study music when I’m doing work or need to focus.
I hope that these tips about how to stay motivated in college help make your semester a little easier. You totally got this!!
And as always if you have any suggestions about what you would like me to talk about in my next blog post let me know in the comments!
