How to stop procrastinating and stay motivated?

[mollyf21]

Hi!
So I am currently in year 10 and studying VCE biology and general maths (further), as well as the other core subjects. Lately, I feel like I spend a lot of time sitting at my desk, intending to study, but spending most of this time getting distracted by either doing things that are completely unrelated to school, or doing things for school that really aren't a priority (e.g. I'll have a SAC tomorrow and instead of studying, I'll be working on an assignment that's due in a month).
Don't know if this is even the right place to post this, but couldn't see anywhere else that it would really relate to that much. Anyway though, does anyone have any tips on how to stay motivated to study and stop myself getting distracted? I need to improve how I study, particularly coming into my full VCE years.

[GraceR99]

I remember feeling like this - and there is a full article on here about how to stop procrastinating on here somewhere (keep looking!) But the main thing that worked for me, was keeping your end goal in mind, pin it up and think about it every time you feel unmotivated!

[mollyf21]

I remember feeling like this - and there is a full article on here about how to stop procrastinating on here somewhere (keep looking!) But the main thing that worked for me, was keeping your end goal in mind, pin it up and think about it every time you feel unmotivated!

Glad to know it isn't just me. Good idea, thanks!

[sweetiepi]

Hey there! I don't know how much help this may be, but this article may be helpful!
#selfpromo

I also definitely feel like this sometimes haha

[K888]

Hi there!

In terms of avoiding distraction - for me, it's all about removing the distracting source. So, that usually involves putting my phone on do not disturb and putting it in another room or somewhere completely out of reach. If I need to use my laptop, I make sure I'm logged out of social media and only open tabs relevant to what I have to do. If I don't need my laptop, that goes away as well, and I clear my desk as well as I can so the only thing in front of me is what I actually have to do. That way, I force myself to do it. I think different things work for different people, but I find that removing distraction is the best and easiest way to avoid it.

In terms of motivation - I'm not the biggest fan of motivation. If you rely on motivation to let you do everything, you're not gonna get much done. I've been waiting for motivation to fall out of a tree and hit me on the head for a while, and it hasn't yet haha. Don't get me wrong - sometimes, I get really keen to do some stuff. But motivation is never constant, it's always fleeting.
What's more important is self-discipline, and starting something and persevering until the job's done. Plus, usually you'll find once you start something, it's not so hard or bad to keep on doing it - it's just starting it that's the pain. So maybe break stuff down into smaller tasks, and that makes it more achievable. So, for example, say you want to write a practice essay for English, set yourself something like:
- I'm going to write my introduction, and not leave my desk till I do it
- Now I've done the intro, I'm going to write my 1st body para, and so on and so forth

Regarding procrastination, maybe ask yourself the pros and cons of whatever it is you want to do - so like, weigh up and consider whether it's really a good thing to procrastinate. Otherwise, probably follow some advice I read from Brenden once (will see if I can find the link to his post) - it's basically that you should like, procrastinate until you don't want to procrastinate anymore. You'll find that you'll get sick of it, and then, you won't want to do it, so you'll be able to smash out some work. Might not be the ideal answer you're looking for, but like, it probably works. Plus, probably also try to think to yourself - "why am I procrastinating?" - is it because you're anxious? Is it because it's just not a particularly fun task? I think once you understand the root cause a bit better, you can tackle that procrastination.

I guess also, maybe review your study schedule? As in, if you leave homework till night time, maybe try doing it when you get home, because that way, you have plenty of time to do it, and you'll probably have the whole evening to relax and do fun non-school stuff! Plus, just want to chuck in a reminder to make time for leisure stuff - studying all the time can be pretty counterproductive.

All the best! I hope this has helped a bit.
Finding out the best study methods for you is often just a process of trial and error

[mollyf21]

Hey there! I don't know how much help this may be, but this article may be helpful!
#selfpromo

I also definitely feel like this sometimes haha

Thanks I just read through this artical now and it seems really helpful! Some great tips in there that I will give a go

Hi there!

In terms of avoiding distraction - for me, it's all about removing the distracting source. So, that usually involves putting my phone on do not disturb and putting it in another room or somewhere completely out of reach. If I need to use my laptop, I make sure I'm logged out of social media and only open tabs relevant to what I have to do. If I don't need my laptop, that goes away as well, and I clear my desk as well as I can so the only thing in front of me is what I actually have to do. That way, I force myself to do it. I think different things work for different people, but I find that removing distraction is the best and easiest way to avoid it.

In terms of motivation - I'm not the biggest fan of motivation. If you rely on motivation to let you do everything, you're not gonna get much done. I've been waiting for motivation to fall out of a tree and hit me on the head for a while, and it hasn't yet haha. Don't get me wrong - sometimes, I get really keen to do some stuff. But motivation is never constant, it's always fleeting.
What's more important is self-discipline, and starting something and persevering until the job's done. Plus, usually you'll find once you start something, it's not so hard or bad to keep on doing it - it's just starting it that's the pain. So maybe break stuff down into smaller tasks, and that makes it more achievable. So, for example, say you want to write a practice essay for English, set yourself something like:
- I'm going to write my introduction, and not leave my desk till I do it
- Now I've done the intro, I'm going to write my 1st body para, and so on and so forth

Regarding procrastination, maybe ask yourself the pros and cons of whatever it is you want to do - so like, weigh up and consider whether it's really a good thing to procrastinate. Otherwise, probably follow some advice I read from Brenden once (will see if I can find the link to his post) - it's basically that you should like, procrastinate until you don't want to procrastinate anymore. You'll find that you'll get sick of it, and then, you won't want to do it, so you'll be able to smash out some work. Might not be the ideal answer you're looking for, but like, it probably works. Plus, probably also try to think to yourself - "why am I procrastinating?" - is it because you're anxious? Is it because it's just not a particularly fun task? I think once you understand the root cause a bit better, you can tackle that procrastination.

I guess also, maybe review your study schedule? As in, if you leave homework till night time, maybe try doing it when you get home, because that way, you have plenty of time to do it, and you'll probably have the whole evening to relax and do fun non-school stuff! Plus, just want to chuck in a reminder to make time for leisure stuff - studying all the time can be pretty counterproductive.

All the best! I hope this has helped a bit.
Finding out the best study methods for you is often just a process of trial and error

Wow thank you so much! You have some really amazing suggestions! Honestly, this is going to be so helpful...hopefully they will work and help me to focus and stop procrastinating! Again, thank you so much!

Moderator action - insanipi: merged posts

[zofromuxo]

All good advice posted here.
I would add that having a clear goal and purpose can help counteract procrastination and boast your motivation as well.
This is due to doing the work for a set outcome and not just for the sake of it.
If you do have a clear goal and purpose, check if it is relevant and if not make a new one.

As K888 has stated, study techniques is trial and error. What works for you may not work for us and vice-versa.
Don't be dismayed, you have plenty of time to improve this and your on here which is a great start.