Motivation to Study

LegacyUser

I have an exam coming up in exactly three weeks – a lot of theory and technical stuff but since it’s sorta summertime I can’t get motivated to study for it at all! If I fail I’m outta college! Is three weeks enough time to study? How do I get motivated?

The Black Oil

Hmm, yeah motivation can be a tough one. I would suggest you make a timetable for yourself and set targets or topics for the particular blocks of time. Find a good study space, library or wherever works best. It's probably best to start off fairly slowly until you get into the swing of it, so don't read tonnes of stuff initially. Rewarding yourself can help with motivation, watching a DVD, going for a swim etc.

Is it just one exam you're doing?

MooseJam

the only study i ever did for any exam was cramming the night before, i didn't do great mind, I just got by, three weeks is plenty of time though

BaZmO*

UnregGerry wrote:

it’s sorta summertime

Exactly! If you can't get motivated to knuckle down during what seems to be the worst summer is something like six billion years God knows when you can!!

I suppose getting off the internet is a start.

oneeyedsnake

BaZmO* wrote:

I suppose getting off the internet is a start.

The internet almost destroyed me this year.Just get disconnected and study,you don't want to be some bum without a degree.

BaZmO*

I'm just glad that I didn't have access to tinternet when I was in college, not that I studied much.

The internet is such a great resource but at a time when distractions are 10 a penny net access is the ultimate distraction.

delta_bravo

UnregGerry wrote:

If I fail I’m outta college!

Is that not motivation enough?

Heres some advice: get off the computer and open a book

Mighty_Mouse

It's probably best to start off fairly slowly until you get into the swing of it,

Id ignore the above with 3 weeks to go!
I presume you've already spent a substantial amount of time thinking that way?

3 weeks is plenty for any exam if you ask me.
IMO 80% of what people actually write down on an exam paper is learned within the 3 weeks previous.
Thats only if you know how to study though.

IMO For most people NO SUCH THING AS STUDY MOTIVATION exists!
ie most people just need exams for a purpose.
Not hugely interested in the subject area as per say academics.

So just in the same way hitting yourself in the face with a hammer wouldnt be fun!!

Its a grind.
You just gotta keep your ass in the chair, music off, internet plugged out, neighbours dog executed .............etc

Set out a timetable splitting your day into 2 sections. ie 2 subjects per day.
And do past exam papers. over and over again.

I promise once you start to get through a few and realise you're actually learning then your concentration abilities increase dramatically.


So really lack of "motivation" = laziness.

BaZmO*

Mighty_Mouse wrote:

And do past exam papers. over and over again.

That's the most important thing tbh.

dame

Just tell yourself you're going to study from say 1000 to 1600 every day (Mon to Fri) and say two hours in the morning at weekends (until it gets closer to the exam, then weekends become study days too). Sit yourself down in a quiet room, look at the past exam papers and get going on doing questions.

To be honest, one exam is nothing and you'll probably find that at least one of the questions on your repeat paper will be exactly the same as it was for the annual exam. Make sure you know that paper inside out then go back through the earlier years papers. Assuming you are not working you have absolutely no excuse for failing again, not with three good weeks of study for one single exam.

Go to it.

Vokes

UnregGerry wrote:

I have an exam coming up in exactly three weeks – a lot of theory and technical stuff but since it’s sorta summertime I can’t get motivated to study for it at all! If I fail I’m outta college! Is three weeks enough time to study? How do I get motivated?

As said before, get off the computer would be a start

Next, head to your college library and grab all summer and repeat exam papers for the past 5 years and do and re-do every question.

Also take regular breaks every 30-45mins (no, not internet breaks) to go for a walk or some food.

Gumbyman

dame wrote:

Just tell yourself you're going to study from say 1000 to 1600 every day (Mon to Fri) and say two hours in the morning at weekends (until it gets closer to the exam, then weekends become study days too). Sit yourself down in a quiet room, look at the past exam papers and get going on doing questions.

Very good advice. Set times and stick to them. YOu can relax and enjoy the rest of your day then and you will feel good.