Staying motivated when studying for an exam is crucial, especially when things get tough. Here are some practical tips to help you stay on track.
When things get tough, it’s easy to give up.
Staying fit, learning a new language, starting a new business, even maintaining a relationship—all of these are challenging and require commitment and willpower.
The same goes for studying for an exam. Especially a tough one.
You’ve worked hard. You’re tired. But you’re finally done.
You need plenty of motivation, but it’s easier said than done.
Here are 5 strategies for staying motivated when you’re really trying to do what you want to do during exam prep when you can only stay motivated using tools.
- Keep a positive mindset
It’s all well and good to say ‘think positive’, but a positive mindset is something you can actually train yourself to do using specific techniques.
Examples include:
Practice gratitude – This shifts your focus from the wrong to the right.
Visualize success – Spend some time each day imagining what it will be like when you take the final test and get the results you want.
Reframe negative thoughts – For example, instead of saying “I don’t understand this,” think “This is challenging, but with hard work I will master it.”
- Create a routine
When we yearn for a vacation, we cry out for a change in routine. But routine is not the enemy. In fact, they can play an important role in reducing anxiety and keeping us happy, healthy, and motivated.
Routines enable us to build momentum by working a little bit each day toward our goals. They allow us to set small, actionable goals that, when achieved, give us the boost we need to keep going.
Imagine you are training for your first 5K race. Getting up early every morning for your race is a good idea. By doing the same thing every day, your body and mind expect it, you plan it in your diary and you know exactly what to expect. After each run, you feel a sense of accomplishment.
Carlos Cremedes, CFA, an investment banking analyst at CaixaBank, adopted this approach. “My experience was that I prioritized studying on the weekends because I had to do both work and study, but I haven’t failed a weekend in three years. So that’s basically what led me to succeed,” he says.
A daily routine offers other benefits: It gives you a sense of control, which helps reduce stress and decision fatigue, allowing you to focus on important tasks without getting bogged down in small tasks.
- Reward yourself
Rewarding yourself is a powerful strategy for staying motivated. Small rewards reinforce positive behaviors and make you more likely to repeat them.
Having something to look forward to after completing a task can make what you need to do less daunting and more enjoyable.
Rewards don’t have to be grand. Small rewards are just as effective. For example, you can reward yourself for completing small daily tasks, such as going for a walk or eating a favorite food.
For larger tasks, you can reward yourself with a night out or a new gadget or outfit.
- Make time for other things
Studying may be your top priority, but to stay motivated, it’s important to break up your day and make time for other things.
The quickest way to burnout is to overwork yourself, so create a regular study plan and stick to it. The key is to be strict with yourself. An extra 20 minutes can quickly turn into another hour.
You need breaks and distractions, otherwise you’ll start to resent your studies and quickly lose motivation.
- Build a support network
Whether it’s from family, friends, or classmates, it’s crucial to have a strong support network for both emotional and practical support.
Loved ones will allow you to vent your concerns, listen to your concerns, and provide moral support and encouragement when you need it. Other students will be able to relate to your experiences, empathize, and encourage you.
Kate Freeman, CFA, a financial advisor at UBS, says the support she received from friends while studying for her CFA® charter was invaluable: “We would complain together and support each other,” she says.
Another option if you’re feeling unmotivated is to seek help from mentors or coaches. They can provide personalized support and help you set realistic goals.