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Seeing your goals written in an obvious spot can help you commit to them. Place a calendar or dry-erase board in your work area, and write down what you need to accomplish. In a pinch, write your goal prominently in your assignment pad, on an index card, or on a sheet of paper. You may be tempted to hunker down and study for several hours straight, but that's a quick way to lose motivation. Your body and brain need breaks, so take 10 minutes or so to refresh yourself every hour. Go for a walk, grab a snack, or stretch, then get back to work. During your break, make sure you don't engage in any distracting activities. For example, don't turn on your TV, as you might get interested in what's on and not go back to studying. Similarly, you might avoid getting on social media if you have a tendency to keep scrolling once you've started. Find a natural break in your studies instead of stopping abruptly in the middle of something. It's better to hold off on taking a break for 15 or 30 minutes than to stop and forget what you were doing. Look for ways to relate your studies to your life. Take a stand on an issue in history class, or connect topics in science to your daily experiences. Even if something seems uninteresting, keep an open mind and give it a chance to capture your attention. When you're interested in a topic, motivating yourself to study it takes a lot less effort. If you just can't get into a subject, do your best to make it fun. For instance, if you love to draw, make diagrams and sketches of the concepts you're studying. If you know there's a treat waiting for you, you'll be more likely to stick with your studies. Incentives for a job well done could include playing video games, watching TV, indulging in a snack, or a splurging on a clothing item or accessory. Don't be too hard on yourself if you don't accomplish your task, but be sure to reward yourself only when you actually finish. Writing down a specific study goal and reward in your assignment pad can help you stay on target. For instance, write "Task: Review history lecture notes for 2 hours. Reward: Play video games for 30 minutes." Get together with classmates who take studying seriously and won't tempt you to blow off your work. Quiz each other, take turns explaining concepts, and help each other resist the urge to procrastinate. Explaining concepts to others is a great way to process and memorize information. Studying with others can also help you fill in any gaps in your notes.
Write down your goals on a calendar or dry-erase board. Take a break every hour or so to stay fresh. Try to connect the material to your personal interests. Give yourself a small reward when you complete a task. Study with a group to hold each other accountable.