THE ALPHABET FOR DEVELOPING MOTIVATION TO STUDY

By Crystallene, Year 10

When setting tasks for yourself while studying, make sure you can achieve them! Tasks that are too difficult will often lead to dislike of many subjects and, therefore, lack of motivation towards them.

It is important to take regular breaks as you are working (every half hour would be ideal) so that you aren’t stressed to the point that you hate studying.

When you feel you’re losing focus while doing a certain task of your homework, change to another task, and then come back to the one you’re doing so you don’t lose interest in it.

Set dates for yourself to work towards completing different assignments, and if you have already been given some, note them down in a diary or calendar.

D is for Dates

Make sure you study in a positive environment with positive working conditions to make the work as easy as it can be. Try and work when you are most alert and in a quiet area. Remove all distractions.

Focus is essential to good studying. If you are feeling unfocused, you could try going for a brisk walk, standing up and doing some stretches at your desk, flexing your fingers, or other exercise. If you’re feeling eye strain, rub your palms together until they are warm and place them over your closed eyes for a few minutes.

Set goals to work towards in relation to homeworke.g. - The number of hours of homework you will do a week

- The grades you are aiming for in all of your subjects

H IS FOR HABITSGet into a habit of studying. The more you do it, the better you’ll become at it. Over time, you’ll come to not minding it and maybe even enjoy it!

When given choices of what to do for an assignment or homework, choose something you’re interested in so that you will want to do it.

A great way to get yourself motivated is to find jobs or career paths you may be interested in. ‘Knowing what you want to do helps you find motivation as then study becomes a path to achieving your goals.’

NEVER THINK YOU CAN ONLY STUDY BY YOURSELF. IT IS OFTEN VERY HELPFUL TO HAVE KIN (FAMILY) AND

FRIENDS ASSIST YOU IN REVISION FOR EXAMS IN MANY WAYS SUCH AS TESTING YOU ON VOCABULARY, PICKING RANDOM FLASHCARDS FOR YOU TO IDENTIFY, ETC. THIS CAN ALSO MAKE STUDYING MUCH MORE ENJOYABLE!

K is for Kin and friends

L is for ListL is for ListTake time to list all of the reasons that you should study to remind yourself of them and motivate yourself.

M is for Managing Emotions

Your behaviour and attitude towards studying comes from your emotions. Therefore, to feel motivated, you must be able to manage your emotions. A great way to do this is to, at times when you’re feeling worried or stressed, remember moments when you were really confident and motivated and associate to those emotions.

When given a large task or assignment, organise it into smaller parts or categories so that it is not too much to take in or too stressful.

A great way to be motivated is to use the Pleasure/Pain technique. To do this, take a page and rule it in half. On one side write all the good things that will happen if you study and on the other side write all the bad things that will happen if you don't. You may be one of the many people who will work to gain pleasure or of the others who will work to avoid pain. Either way, this activity will remind you why you should study and will motivate you.

1. 2. 3. 4.5.

1. 2. 3. 4.5.

Q IS FOR QUICK

When doing homework exercises for subjects such as maths, try doing them as quick as you can. This can make you feel good about yourself, will help increase your speed and allow you more free time.

When given a homework task to complete, plan a reward for yourself at the end of it. The pattern of working to receive a reward, over time, will make it easier for you to do a task since you have a good reason to do it.

Successes, such as A’s or good comments from teachers in your report, are one of the key possible motivations for studying. Successes can be achieved by using effective study techniques.

The techniques you use to study are key factors that will affect your motivation. Remember to use study techniques that work for YOU.

U is for UpcomingIf you know about upcoming tests or exams, start studying for them as soon as you can so that you don’t become stressed preparing for them at the last minute!

Be veracious (truthful) to yourself. If you know you’re not studying enough for your tests or exams, accept the fact and do something about it. You can’t avoid it forever!

Find words or images you find enjoyable, amusing and motivating and:-Put them above your desk -Write them (words) on a card and read them regularly.

-Write them on a sign and put them up where you will see them.

Always keep copies of assessment items that you hand in. In this way, if teachers lose them or something else happens to them, you don’t have to do it all again! For written or drawn assignments, use xerography (photocopying).

Never throw away assignments or other homework from yesterday. In many subjects, teachers expect you to know things you have already learnt from previous years very well, and when the time comes, you may need to go over notes or other details that you have forgotten.

Try to study with zeal. Be enthusiastic and give it a hearty and persistent effort. The more you enjoy something, the more you’ll want to do it and the better you’ll become at it!

BIBLIOGRAPHYEnhanced Learning Educational Services (ELES), 2007, Things You Can Try (Developing Motivation), 18 April 2011, http://www.studyskillshandbook.com.au/inside/inside_content/home7b.html