How to Stay Motivated to Study Online #stayhome

Especially while we are all in lockdown, staying motivated during the day (or night) isn’t always easy. There is no reason we can’t still achieve the things we want to just because we are inside, in actual fact, isn’t that more reason to achieve all those things we have wanted to finish? Like clean out our cupboards or rearrange the garage? Here are my top tips for staying in the zone of getting things done.

Set a time each day

Dedicate a certain amount of time a day, even if its 20 minutes, schedule it in. So, you know that for example, as soon as you finish your breakfast, you are straight into the study or when bub goes down to sleep, you get to it, no other thoughts, you are just organized are ready to rock and roll. If it is pre-planned, you are there in the moment, not procrastinating for the 20-30 minutes it would have taken you to complete part of your module.

Pick your spot

Visualise where you will be, I often like to mix it up and move from the study, to the lounge, the balcony - wherever my mood takes me. Studies show that studying then taking the exam in the same space is easier when you’re in the same environment that you first learned about it, it’s a cue for your memory. True story - context-dependent memory. The more spaces you study in, the more cues you have to remember the information. Example of context-dependent memory, I worked in a clinic where I knew most of my clients by name and they knew me too, but when I saw them out in public (and out of the usual context) it took us a moment to recognise each other, as we were in a different setting.

Reward yourself

If you are struggling to get your study done (or anything while in iso) don’t give up, allow yourself a reward. Eat red frogs (MY FAV), have a glass of wine, whatever motivates you. Find what it is that you want to reward yourself with and what works and promise that yourself AFTER you complete your study, you can have your treat. It doesn’t have guilt attached when it’s a reward, right? Who doesn’t feel good after completing the tasks they have set for themselves, especially when they didn’t want to do it? Don’t forget to celebrate yourself once you complete your final exam too!  

Eliminate distraction

It is so easy to be distracted with a full house! Children, husbands and/or housemates can sometimes get in the way. Pre-plan your study time with the adults, because kids don’t really care if you have stuff to do, it might mean hubby takes care of the kiddies during study or schedule your study time while kids are sleeping. Turn your phone onto silent, go into a quiet place! It is too easy to just stop studying because you’re being interrupted too much. Get on top of the roadblocks if you can foresee the distraction. You deserve the uninterrupted time for your education. So MAKE.IT.HAPPEN!