How to Find the Motivation to Study: Tips + 6 Remedies for Studying

It's 3 a.m. and you can't sleep because there is an upcoming test in your 8 a.m. class tomorrow. You lie in bed, scrolling through social media for what seems like the hundredth time that night, and you still can't find the motivation to study. Sound familiar? Lack of motivation is one of the most common problems students face when it comes to studying. In this blog post, we will provide tips on how to find study motivation, regardless of your circumstances! We'll also explore how Bach flower remedies might help bring you motivation and energy to give you a kick start!

Feeling demotivated and lacking motivation?

At some point in our lives, we all face periods of feeling unmotivated to study or in life generally. This may be due to many different factors, ranging from a busy schedule or a lack of confidence in our abilities. However, it is important that we find ways to stay motivated and push ourselves towards success. Some strategies for learning self motivation might include setting goals, developing positive habits, getting a good night's sleep and building a supportive community.

By staying focused on our goals and making the most of the resources available to us, we can build the resilience necessary to persevere through challenging times and achieve our full potential. Whether we need help with exams, pursuing a new career path, or working towards any other personal goal, staying motivated is essential for success. And above all else, when we struggle with obstacles like anxiety or procrastination, it is important that we remember to stay kind to ourselves and keep moving forward. In the end, it is always worth it.

Intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation

Intrinsic motivation comes from within, and is driven by a desire to learn or achieve for its own sake. Extrinsic motivation, on the other hand, comes from external sources such as rewards or punishments. While some people may find success through extrinsic motivators, it is important to recognise that these can often fail to produce lasting results over time. Instead, cultivating intrinsic motivators such as self-confidence and a sense of mastery can ultimately lead to long-term success and happiness. Therefore, instead of relying solely on external factors that can be unreliable or become less effective over time, it is essential to focus on fostering an internal drive that will sustain you throughout your life.

Figure out your "why"

Why do you want to get good grades and study hard? What is your motivation for wanting to succeed in school?

At first glance, it can be easy to dismiss the importance of getting good grades and studying hard. After all, many people assume that school is just about rote memorisation and passing tests. But in reality, there is much more to achieving academic success than simply doing well on a few exams.

For many, the "why" behind getting good grades and working hard in school comes down to one simple factor: your future. If you want to achieve your goals and realise your dreams, and this means investing time and energy into your education now. Whether studying for an upcoming test or completing an important assignment, do it with the knowledge that these efforts will help you become the best version of myself in the long run.

By setting attainable goals for yourself, pushing yourself to stay motivated, and embracing every opportunity that comes your way, you know that you will be able to succeed both inside and outside of the classroom.

Set goals and make a plan

Knowing what you want to achieve will help keep you motivated throughout the term. It is important to set goals and make a plan for studying in order to be successful. By setting goals, you will have something to work towards and stay motivated. Some helpful tips are below -

• Make sure your goals are realistic and achievable
• Make a plan on how you will achieve them - this will involve breaking down the goals into smaller steps and scheduling time for study
• Get organised and keep your school materials in order
• Create a study schedule and stick to it
• Find a study space that works for you

Find a study buddy or group

Connect with other students who are also studying for exams. Studying with others can make the process more fun and help keep you accountable. By connecting with other students who are also working hard to achieve success, you can share advice, support each other's progress, and motivate each other when you're feeling overwhelmed or frustrated. Whether you prefer working in person or online, there are plenty of resources out there to help you find the perfect study group for your needs. 

Reward yourself

When studying for exams, it is important to break the task into smaller goals in order to stay motivated. One way to do this is to reward yourself for completing small tasks along the way. For example, you could allow yourself a five-minute break after every half hour of study. Or, you could treat yourself to a favourite food or activity after you finish a chapter of your textbook. Whatever your rewards are, make sure they are things that will help you stay focused and motivated. By breaking the task into smaller goals and rewarding yourself for completing them, you can make studying for exams a more enjoyable and productive experience.

Take breaks!

It's important to allow yourself time to relax and rejuvenate, or else you'll eventually burn out. When you're in the middle of a long study session, it can be tempting to push through and get it over with as quickly as possible. However, research has shown that taking breaks can actually help improve your focus and retention. When you allow yourself time to rest, your brain is able to consolidate the information you've learned and store it more effectively. In addition, taking breaks gives you an opportunity to move your body and get some fresh air, both of which can help to improve your overall well-being. 

Don't stress out about it!

Some students find that worrying too much about schoolwork actually decreases their productivity levels. While it's important to take your studies seriously, worrying too much about schoolwork can actually backfire. Stress and anxiety can lead to problems with focus and memory, making it more difficult to retain information and do well on tests. So if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, take a step back and reassess your priorities. Instead of trying to do everything at once, focus on taking things one day at a time. And remember, even if you don't get the grade you were hoping for, it's not the end of the world.

What are flower remedies & how can they help with study motivation?

Bach flower remedies are natural remedies to support emotional wellbeing and mental health. They were developed in the 1930s by Dr Bach and have been used around the world ever since. The remedies can help with many emotional issues including anxiety, depression, confidence, sleep disturbances.... and study motivation! They are a safe, gentle and effective solution to help with your emotions. They can be used by people of all ages and don't interact with any other medications. To learn more you can read our Beginners Guide to Bach Flower Remedies.

So what are the best flower remedies for study motivation?

Hornbeam - this is the remedy for mental weariness, procrastination and an inability to motivate yourself to tasks you find boring... like perhaps revision! Hornbeam will give you a kick start to lift your spirits.

Clematis - this is the remedy for daydreamers, lost in thought and daydreams of the future. You're unable to focus and are constantly lost in though or your own imagination. This remedy will help with grounding and focus.

Chestnut Bud - this is the remedy to help with learning. You repeat the same mistakes as you're unable to fully absorb information from your day-to-day experiences. You have mental blocks and are slow to learn. This remedy will help with insight and wisdom.

Larch - this is the remedy for confidence. You lack confidence in your abilities which means you make excuses for yourself and are reluctant to try as in your mind you've already failed. This remedy will give you confidence to believe in yourself.

Mimulus - this is the remedy for known anxieties where you're anxious about something specific. For example the fear of failure or fear of exams. This remedy will help bring calm.

Gentian - this is the remedy for despondency after a set back. Perhaps you've had a bad mark in your coursework and this has knocked your confidence and left you feeling low. You feel discouraged but Gentian will help you pick yourself up and give it another go.

There are 38 Bach flower remedies in total, each of which relates to a different emotion. The above are our top picks for study motivation, exam anxiety and confidence however there many be other remedies that could help your situation, depending on your specific emotions.

If you'd like to make a remedy, at Mindful Remedies we create personalised blends where people can select up to seven remedies in a bottle. We'll handcraft your bottle and post it to you. To create a remedy today, simply head to our custom Bach flower remedy page. You can also view our pages for motivation and confidence which have a refined selection specifically for those issues.

Finally, ask for help when you need it - there's no shame in admitting that you're struggling.

Wishing you all the best in your studies x