Motivation

Make sure you are DOING something while studying. 

Don't limit yourself to just reading
- write notes 
- draw diagrams 
- walk while memorising
- do exercises
- ... 

Active learning boosts your efficiency, concentration, and motivation.
- Discover how you can study actively (website)
- Six active learning strategies explained visually (infographic)

Switch between difficult and easy subjects and vary your study method. This prevents boredom and keeps things interesting. 

Did you know that genAI can offer engaging and interactive learning methods, such as quizzes, role-playing scenarios or simulations? 

Test yourself with a chatbot (website)

Using the Pomodoro technique, you study in blocks of 25 minutes with a five-minute break in between. 

Check out the Pomodoro technique in our e-module focus (website) 

Motivate yourself by talking to yourself in a positive, encouraging way. Focus on what is already going well and acknowledge your progress. 

- Learn how to train positive self-talk (website)
- Discover the importance of self-talk (video, 5')
- Check out these examples of motivational self-talk (infographic)

Find quotes that inspire you and write them down somewhere you can see them when your motivation is low - on your computer background, above your desk, on your phone’s lock screen, …

Need some inspiration? Check these out:

- 99 motivational quotes for students (website)
- Inspirational quotes from superheroes (infographic)

You can boost your motivation by reflecting on why you want to study this program.
Here are a few strategies: 

• Reconnect with your purpose

Try to answer these questions:
- Why did you enrol in this study program?
- What motivates you?
- What interests you in your program? 
- What aspects do you find important?
- What is your ultimate goal? 
Try to keep these answers (this is your 'why') in mind while you study. 

• Struggling with a particular subject? 

• Search for the relevance
  Connect the subject to your future goals. How can this subject be useful, now or in later life?
  Try to understand why a subject matters is important and how it relates to your life or interests. This makes learning more meaningful and increases motivation.
• Get curious
  Ask yourself questions about the subject or topic. What do you want to discover?
  Making yourself curious naturally increases motivation.
• Explore different perspectives with AI
  Ask genAI to describe various viewpoints on a subject. This can stimulate your curiosity and inspire you to explore the material more deeply.
  Try this prompt: "Take on the role of a critical discussion facilitator in higher education. Your task is to present me with the most debated, controversial, or contrasting positions on [topic] within the field of [discipline]. Please challenge me by highlighting different perspectives, including opposing or unconventional viewpoints, to encourage me to think critically and engage more deeply with the subject." 

• Set personal learning goals 

Create small, meaningful learning goals for yourself, such as:
- "I want to understand this concept completely"
- "I want to be able to explain this to someone else."
- "I want to see how this connects to [other topic].”
Focus on these personal goals as you study.

• AI can transform studying into a more engaging experience by adding elements of competition, interaction and positive feedback. 
  Use tools like Quizizz or Kahoot to make learning more playful with interactive quizzes, points and rankings.
• Use AI as a study buddy: AI can create challenging questions about your subject matter for you to work through with a fellow student.. This way, you not only test your knowledge but also get immediate feedback and explanations from each other, making learning more effective and enjoyable.

When you are surrounded by distractions, it's easy to choose other activities over studying. Distractions can undermine your focus and motivation while studying.
How can you avoid getting distracted?

• Remove distractions from your environment

Try to eliminate as many distractions from your study space as possible:
- Clear your workspace: keep only what you need for studying on your desk
- Control digital distractions: turn off your computer or internet connection, or use apps that block distracting apps and websites.
Put your phone in another room or a drawer, and turn off all notifications  

- Check here how to stay in control of your digital media (website)
- Use these techniques to reduce phone & social media distractions (video, 2’)
- More tips on how to eliminate distractions (website) 

• Create an optimal study environment

Find a comfortable, well-lit study space where you enjoy spending time.
Check out these tips for a good study place (website) 

• Examining your program choice

Do you have doubts about your study choice? 

- Take the first steps towards exploring a new study choice (website) 
- Schedule an appointment with your study coach or academic advisor to discuss your concerns.

Short-term goals, like an approaching deadline, increase study pressure and boost your motivation to get started.
Furthermore, observing your progress towards a goal enhances your drive.

Here's how to use this strategically:

• Bring goals or deadlines in the long term (e.g. a paper that must be submitted at the end of the semester) closer by imposing intermediate deadlines on yourself. Write these deadlines in a calendar or planner, so they don't just exist in your head.
• Translate intermediate deadlines into concrete steps
  For any deadline, break it down: list every task needed to get there. This to-do list becomes your actionable plan. Once a task is done, cross it off, acknowledge your accomplishment, and consider a small reward.
  Read more about working with to-do lists in our e-module on time management (website)
• Define clear goals
  Set yourself specific goals per week, per day, per part of the day, or if necessary, even per hour.
  Write down what you want to complete this week and what that entails for today.
  For example, set yourself a mini-goal like: 'In the next x hours, I want to read x papers.’
• Visualise your progress and successes
  Don't just focus on what's left on your schedule; also acknowledge what you've already accomplished. Which tasks have you completed? Which deadlines have you met? Making your progress visible boosts your sense of competence and increases your motivation.

Good habits are worth their weight in gold: they almost happen automatically.
With or without motivation, a habit will stick!
Teach yourself good habits with these tips:

Structure your study schedule 

A weekly schedule with recurring study and relaxation blocks at fixed times will get you into a good rhythm. Studying at certain times will become a habit. It will feel less like a chore, but more like a natural part of your day.
- Check our e-module on how to make a realistic study schedule (website)
- Learn how to create habits in your study schedule (video, 9')

Don't feel like studying? No reason not to start! 

Starting to study often feels harder than studying itself.
But did you know that motivation often just kicks in once you begin?
By simply starting, you get that motivation growing!
So don't wait for motivation to start studying: just start!
- Studying when you don't feel like it? This is how you do it! (video, 18') 
- Some tips for studying when you don't feel like it (infographic)
- 10 tips to start studying (website) 

Tip: start with something easy and small
The hardest part is just beginning. Starting with something small and manageable can put you in the right flow.
You're more likely to stay motivated when you feel good about your progress and experience early success. 

Try starting small, for example, with:
- spending 30 minutes reviewing already known study material
- tackling a minor task, like  organising your notes

Train your self-discipline 

Your self-discipline grows stronger every time you stick to your resolutions and resist distractions. So go for it!
- Strengthen your self-discipline (website) 

Did you know that taking regular breaks pays off?
You can study more by taking a break every now and then.
Breaks give your brain the rest it needs, allowing you to think more clearly afterwards. In addition, well-chosen breaks can boost your motivation! 

- Read more about the beneficial effects of breaks in our e-module (website)
- What do good breaks look like? Our e-module provides inspiration! (website)

Promise yourself small rewards when you have achieved a goal 

Small motivating rewards can include:

• Crossing off an item on your to-do list
• Alternating a boring part of the study material with something more interesting
• Focus on rewards further in the future, such as a long summer without resit exams, or a diploma that will help you find a nice job
• A break in prospect (making a delicious fruit salad, ending your day with your favourite series)

This is how you can find a good reward for yourself (website)