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5 Tips to Boost Your Study Motivation

As students, finding the motivation to study can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. With numerous distractions and competing priorities, it’s easy to lose focus – but fear not. We’ve got you covered with five simple yet effective tips to boost your study motivation and help you reach your academic goals. Let’s take a look.

Set clear and attainable goals

Setting goals gives you a sense of direction and purpose, which can be incredibly motivating. Start by identifying what you want to achieve in the short-term (e.g., ace a test, complete an assignment), as well as in the long-term (e.g., get into a preferred uni, pursue a specific career). Break down these goals into smaller, actionable steps, and celebrate each milestone along the way. Remember, every small victory brings you closer to your ultimate objective.

Create a study schedule

Procrastination is the arch-nemesis of motivation. To combat it, establish a study schedule that suits your lifestyle and learning style. Designate specific times for studying each day, and be consistent with it. Find a quiet and comfortable study space where you can concentrate without distractions. By having a structured routine, you’ll train your mind to associate those study hours with productivity and focus, making it easier to dive into your work.

Find what works for you

Everyone learns differently, so it’s important to identify the study methods that work best for you. Experiment with various techniques such as summarising notes, creating flashcards, the Pomodoro technique, or teaching the material to a friend. Use online resources, educational apps, and interactive study platforms to make learning more engaging and enjoyable. When you find the methods that resonate with your learning style, studying becomes less of a chore and more of an exciting exploration of knowledge.

Surround yourself with supportive peers

Motivation can be contagious, so surround yourself with friends who are also focused on their studies. Form a study group where you can share insights, discuss challenging concepts, and help each other stay on track. Collaborative learning not only enhances your understanding but also creates a positive and supportive environment. Together, you can conquer difficult subjects and celebrate each other’s accomplishments, as well as boost your motivation.

Take breaks and practice self-care

Overloading yourself with non-stop studying can lead to burnout and diminished motivation. Remember to take regular breaks during your study sessions to recharge your mind. Engage in activities you enjoy, whether it’s taking a walk, listening to music, or pursuing a hobby. Prioritise self-care by getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, and staying active. When you take care of your overall wellbeing, you’ll have the energy and enthusiasm to tackle your studies with renewed motivation.

Staying motivated to study can be a challenge, but by implementing these five tips, you can empower yourself to overcome obstacles and achieve academic success. Remember, motivation isn’t a constant state but rather a skill that can be nurtured and cultivated – so even if you’re not feeling it today, you can always pick yourself up and try again tomorrow.

Find more study tips on our website here.

5 Tips for Open Day Success

Open days are heaps of fun, and apart from the food and coffee, they’re totally free. You’ll be able to explore your future education options and get a first-hand experience of what each institution has to offer. But with so much going on in a single day, how can you make sure you get the most out of the experience? In this blog, we have some tips for open day success you might like to read. Let’s get started.

Be prepared

You might be fed up of hearing the words “get organised”, but honestly, a little bit of preparation can make a huge difference to how your open days go and what you get out of them.

There are bound to be conflicting dates for open days, and we don’t recommend trying to get to more than one a day. Spending some time studying the university websites and reading about the courses you’re interested in could help you decide which open days are the must-dos.

Once you’ve decided which ones you’d like to go to, make sure that you register, then add the dates and directions to your calendar or reminders.

Next, you could print out or download the open day programs. Highlight any info sessions, workshops or other events that you don’t want to miss. You won’t be able to cram every single talk and info session into your itinerary, so prioritise sessions that align with your interests.

Research some parking options or organise your public transport routes and timetables before the day.

Consider taking a friend or family member along for support, second opinions, seat saving, and re-caffeinating duties.

Use the time between information sessions and tours to speak to lecturers and students, check out clubs, or get a feel for accommodation options, cafés, shops, and the local area in general.

You may have to find your way around campuses or around the city to attend different sessions. So wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and make sure you have a way of finding out where you are and where you’re going (Google maps is perfect for this).

Talking is good

There’ll be loads of people on hand to help at open days, including staff, researchers, and current students. They’re not there for decoration – they’ll be ready and willing to answer your questions and help you to choose the best options for you.

Try and find the lecturers and faculty staff you might be thinking about studying with and ask them about the courses you’re interested in, as well as any options you haven’t come across that might suit you.

Here’s some example questions that might help you out:

• Are there any prerequisites or assumed knowledge for this course?
• What are the core units/modules?
• What are the majors I can choose from?
• How is the course taught and assessed?
• How satisfied are current students with the course?
• How many hours of teaching are involved each week?
• What are job outcomes like for graduates?
• What opportunities are there for work experience placements or internships?
• Is it manageable to have a casual or part-time job and study full-time?
• Are there scholarships I can apply for?
• Are there any overseas studies opportunities?
• If I’m struggling, are there any learning support services available?
• If I don’t get the ATAR I need, what alternative pathways could get me into this course?

Talking to current students is the best way to learn what university is really like. They’ll be able to tell you about their first-hand experiences and provide some insider tips (from where to get the best coffee to finding the best accommodation and the ultimate money saving hacks).

Between students and the administrative staff, you can probably find answers to all your questions about uni life. Here’s some example questions:

• What facilities are located on campus and in town?
• What sort of student support services are available?
• Are there part-time job opportunities available for students?
• What sort of financial help is available if I run out of money?
• How do HELP loans work?
• What types of accommodation are available?
• What’s the most popular accommodation option?
• What are some of the events throughout the year I could look forward to?
• What do you think are the best things about this uni/course?
• Did you make any rookie errors that I could avoid?

Don’t be shy; there’s no such thing as a silly question. Having a list of pre-prepared questions is a great way to guarantee you remember them all on the day.

Explore

Open days allow you to explore where you’ll be studying and really familiarise yourself with the campus and facilities, as well as the surrounding areas and the city it’s located in. Lecture theatres, labs, libraries, and other learning spaces will all be open for you to view.

You might even get to participate in some activities or workshops that’ll give you a hands-on learning experience using the technology and facilities available.

Sign up for a campus tour if it’s on offer; a guided walk let you take it all in without worrying about getting hopelessly lost.

Between all the scheduled bits and bobs you might attend, you can also get a peek to see if the uni has cafés, bars, restaurants, gyms, sporting facilities, internet access, computer labs, or any other areas that you might be able to use.

Compare

If you’re pretty certain you already know the uni you would like to go to, we still recommend attending a couple of other open days too. This way, you’ll have something to compare your preferred choice to. Either it’ll confirm your first choice, or it could open your eyes to possibilities you hadn’t considered.

If you’re not sure, then after you’ve been to a couple of open days you’ll have the information you need to make an informed decision about which unis and courses to apply for.

You could create a checklist of the most important aspects of uni to you. It’s a simple way to compare the differences between unis.

You’ll be spending a few years and significant amount of money on your uni education, so it’s important that you feel comfortable with your choice.

Have fun

Most importantly, open days are a great day out, so enjoy yourself.

There’s bound to be entertainment, goody bags, free activities, food trucks (sometimes food is free), and competitions with some great prizes. Get amongst it all, find out if the vibe gels with you, and experience all that the uni has to offer.

Open days are by far the best way to find out if a uni is going to be a good match for you.

If you want an easy way to find out which open days are coming up, take a look at our events calendar here.