Blog: Self-motivation tips from a final year

Written by Student Content Shaper and English student, Alex Masters

University life can be both fun and overwhelming, with countless responsibilities all competing for your attention. From juggling classes and assignments to managing a social life, staying motivated is essential for success. Yet, amidst the chaos, finding that spark of inspiration seems impossible. You’ve got flatmates converging in the kitchen as loudly as possible, your sports social in an hour, and most distracting of all – TikTok. The good news is that motivation isn’t just a fleeting emotion; it’s a skill you can develop.

In this blog, I’ll give you some of my tips to overcome procrastination and maintain your focus. From setting achievable goals to creating a good environment, these tips are ones I’ve heard from lecturers, friends, gathered online or discovered myself. Add them to your repertoire and make it look easy.

1) Build a routine that works for you

Starting with shorter study sessions is a smart way to ease into a consistent routine. Try working for 30 minutes, followed by a 5-minute break. As you feel more comfortable, increase to 40 minutes of focused work and keep the 5-minute rest. Keep increasing or decreasing your working time until you find what’s best for you. A great way to stick to this is timers on your phone – be disciplined!

2) Prioritise rest and exercise

A balanced routine doesn’t just include study but also downtime. Taking a nap or getting in some exercise can recharge your mind and prepare you for a productive session. Exercise doesn’t just boost your mood; it helps improve focus. When you sit down to study, you’ll find it easier to settle into a focused mindset. I always find that my morning routine helps motivate me for work – hop out the shower and start studying.

3) Set the mood for success

Your environment plays a big role in how well you work. Keep your workspace tidy, and make sure it's well-lit. Background music can also help, so consider creating a study playlist of that won’t pull you out of focus. Some people find that lyrics can be distracting, so try easy-listening albums or instrumental soundtracks that match your pace. (Pro tip: most streaming services create their own study playlists – check them out!). Other people (me) find music they know well to be focus-inducing. On that note, huge shoutout to Pink Floyd – you’ve saved so many of my essays.

4) Set realistic goals

An organised to-do list of manageable tasks makes a big difference. Break down larger projects into smaller, achievable steps. Seeing tasks checked off one by one is rewarding and allows you to keep moving forward. I like to reward myself with a snack for every so many tasks achieved. Big task done? Snack. Three little tasks done? Snack.

5) Surround yourself with positivity

Be mindful of who you study with. If you prefer studying around others (“body doubling”), choose a friend or flatmate who will keep you on track rather than pulling you off task. Studying with your chatty friends can be fun, but also distracting!

6) Give yourself a break

Some days will be more productive than others, and that’s completely normal. When you have an off day, give yourself grace rather than guilt. Staying positive will help you bounce back stronger the next day. Hop on the game, doomscroll for a little while, and just generally take some nights easy. You’ll thank yourself.

7) Start with easy wins

Tackling a few small tasks at the beginning of your day, like checking emails or updating your schedule, can help the bigger tasks feel more manageable and less daunting. Getting a few quick wins under your belt is a great way of building momentum. For example, I get a glass of water, make my bed, tidy my desk, check my emails, and then crack on.

8) Learn actively, not passively

Instead of passively reading or highlighting, try active learning methods like summarizing notes in your own words, teaching a concept aloud, or testing yourself with flashcards. This is especially effective in group study (See rule No.5).

Remember that building motivation and consistency is a process, not a quick fix. Keep experimenting with what works best for you, and don’t forget to make adjustments along the way. Good luck!

For more study resources, support and student advice, check out our UoBe Ready page.