According to BF Skinner’s research, a psychologist, positive reinforcements strategies increase motivation toward any behaviour. You can do this by offering rewards after each completed learning objective. For example, you can schedule favourite snacks, games, or outings after you finish up a particular module in your studies. The idea is to attach desirable/pleasurable rewards to the activity to make the desired behaviour more likely to happen again. This works because behind every action is a motivation that enables the doer to perform that behaviour. We can leverage that to increase the chances of doing, which is how positive reinforcement comes to play.

There are Four Types of Positive Reinforcement

The first is the natural reinforcement that comes naturally and immediately as you complete that action. The benefits that said action brings to you can range from fulfilment to fullness.

The second type is the social reinforcers which come from other people in the form of approval. It is not surprising that as social beings, we are always on the lookout to fit in and gain approval from people, from our parents to our teachers in the case of a student. This can come in various ways such as commendation/praise.

The third form is called tangible reinforcers which are physical. It ranges from buying yourself an ice cream or a toy. However, this should be used with caution to prevent dependence. The last type is the token system where points are given for each completed task, and at the end of the day can be exchanged for something tangible.

Offer Different Learning Experiences

From changing the environment to taking field trips, going to the library, trying new things, and experimenting with new ideas. You can work in teams that have problems or projects to engage in. To further spice up things, you can use competition, which can inspire success.

Build a Sense of Responsibility and Commitment

This can only be possible if there is a strong reason/why behind your study motivation. When you are tempted to deviate from your study goals, it always comes in handy to be reminded of the reasons you get started in the first place. This can help with self-motivation.

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Use The Pomodoro Technique

This technique keeps you motivated and makes learning an enjoyable activity. In the beginning, set a study goal, and the time it will take you to do that. Then, set a timer for 25 minutes and start studying. Schedule 5 minutes to break in between the 25 minutes study session. You can take a walk, chat with a friend, or do anything that interests you during this time. Then resume back to studies, minimize your distractions, and the break time can get longer up to 20- 30 minutes after about 4 sessions of the technique.

This technique works to increase self-motivation because it allows one to have breaks between activities that can get mentally unpleasant, and having a long session can demotivate one and make studying overwhelming.

Work With Other People

Associating yourself with a study group can also be helpful, especially if this mainly works for you. The group has to be people with the same educational goals to inspire each other. You can also assign yourself a leadership position in this group. The idea is that being responsible for other people inevitably makes responsibility for yourself more feasible. Knowing that other people are looking up to you, and you have to be a role model for them, you have got no choice but to be a good example.

Be Focused

Structure your environment in a way that makes it less possible to be distracted. For example, you can have a specific place assigned to studying so that when you get into that space, your unconscious mind automatically switches to study mode. Also, put off anything that can divide your attention away from that space, such as your cellphone, this will help with self-discipline and self-motivation.

Develop Good Habits

According to James Clear; the author of Atomic Habits; The most practical way to change yourself is to change what you do daily, and setting a goal is not enough, build a system around that, and you will not only achieve a momentary but sustainable change. You can build a great daily habit that allows you to do something about your studies every single day. Using the four laws of behaviour change by James Clear, make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy and satisfying.

Have a study objective/goal that you constantly work on, which drives your urge for success.

This must be greater than the common goal to make your parents happy. This must be about you, the future you desire, and must come from a place of becoming the higher version of yourself. Such a goal can withstand pleasurable moments that can distract your attention or keep you undisciplined. In summary, intrinsic motivational goals can survive longer than extrinsic ones. You can also divide your daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly goals. You can create short-term and long-term plans.

Learn The Art of Self-Discipline/Self-Control

This is a new concept in our studies and an essential skill in other areas of our lives. However, it is a skill that can be learned. You can use habit-forming to remain consistent or environmental design to keep yourself focused depending on what works for you. Check yourself out, and reflect on what you need to start doing differently to yield favourable results, including others that aren’t helping you or bringing you closer to your goals.

Spaced Repetition Is Another Technique To Increase Self-motivation

This also promotes remembrance of what was read and gives the brain a sensation of a pleasurable feeling as it is easier to initiate. Taking time to revise and evaluate what was read can get enjoyable and easily created, thus increasing self-motivation. Have a rethink on what truly motivates you both intrinsically and extrinsically. Analyze the activities that lead to increased motivation towards your studies, and find ways to get yourself engaged in them.

Focus on Being Positive, Including The Positive Sides of Studying.

Sometimes, this might get so tiring and burdensome that you will rather not do this. However, there are numerous advantages to doing that such as the learning and curiosity ability it offers you to explore knowledge and apply it. Have a big thinking and powerful mindset. You can use the past such as previous achievements, how far you’ve come along your student’s journey, including the possibility of a great future ahead of you, of becoming that person that makes a significant difference in society. Self-affirmations can also help to do away with negativity and doubts. Having a grateful mindset and celebrating small wins like completing your assignment, doing well in your tests, can also go a long way. These can even be rewarded to motivate you to do better next time.

Reflect On Your Progress And Constantly Evaluate Yourself.

The key to success is the ability to keep going despite challenges, the act of not giving up regardless of how difficult the journey becomes. Reflection and evaluation can play a role in that. Things you can reflect on include your test results, how far you’ve been doing, are acting by set goals/objectives. Refrain from comparing your progress with other students, as this can lead to unhealthy competition and further add pressure to you. You should only do this if this will motivate you to do better.

Always Remember The Principles of Success

Keeping in mind the values to imbibe such as hard work, perseverance, goal-oriented, and self-discipline will go a long way to keeping you back on track when you miss your way.

Explore Different Resources for Learning

Learning does not have to be boring and follows a traditional pattern. You can get creative with this by exploring other resources and materials such as Google, YouTube videos, research, apps, brainstorming communities, including short online courses. Having multiple options for getting help can be a game-changer, so explore any of these that inspires you to take a step further in your academic journey.

14 Strategies For Students To Increase Their Self-motivation To Study.