Studying might feel like one of the hardest things you’ll ever do. Sometimes, it feels like climbing Mount Everest, twice. With the new school year coming up, I’m also becoming a student. And to be honest, I was really nervous at first. So, I started experimenting. What works for me? What motivates me? What actually keeps me going?
After trying a lot of things and realizing plenty of things that didn’t help at all. I discovered four simple hacks that truly make a difference. If you want to start this year strong, stay motivated, and feel more in control, these are the four tools you need to become the best version of yourself as a student.
Planning your week
When you’re studying, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with everything you need to do or remember. Planning your week helps create mental clarity and gives you clear insight of your tasks. It boosts productivity and focus because you’re making intentional choices instead of just doing whatever comes up. You can see what needs your attention and what can wait, which helps you avoid stress and stay in control.
Especially during busy times like exam periods or deadlines, weekly planning ensures you’re not wasting time on tasks that are irrelevant or not urgent. By knowing what to focus on each day, your study time becomes more efficient and much more manageable.
Let’s say you have to study for four subjects this week. Once you write everything down, it may seem like way too much. It might feel overwhelming, almost like there’s no way to fit it all in. But when you start planning and prioritizing, things quickly become way clearer. For example: when you realize that each subject needs about three hours of study time. That means you’ll need around 12 hours in total — which, when spread over the week, is less than two hours a day. Suddenly, what first felt unmanageable now looks totally doable.
That’s the power of planning: it turns a chaotic to-do list into a clear overview of your week. It helps you break big tasks into manageable pieces and gives you the confidence that you actually have enough time.
Daily routines
Routines can give you valuable insight into how you spend your time. Because a routine is a consistent pattern, you already know what to expect and what you need to do each day. This predictability helps reduce mental block and allows you to focus more effectively on your goals. As the saying goes: consistency is key. Whether it’s practicing self-care, doing a short workout routine, or preparing your food. These activities provide necessary breaks from studying and can actually boost your creativity.
If you ever feel mentally stuck or overwhelmed, stepping away from your work for about 20 minutes to do something different can make a big difference. It helps clear your mind and recharge your focus, so you can return to your studies with renewed energy. Ideally, it’s even better to build these routines before your school day starts. See it as: setting yourself up for success from the beginning.
Remember, routines aren’t just about school or work. They play an essential role in maintaining your mental health and overall wellbeing. By creating balanced routines that include time for rest, movement, and self-care, you give yourself the best chance to perform at your highest level academically while staying healthy and motivated.
Finding your motivation
Motivation is probably the most important thing for a student. It’s what drives you to get started and get things done. I also believe that many students struggle with motivation, I know I do. Studying can feel boring and sometimes like a waste of time. So, the question is: how do you motivate yourself?
For me, there are two things that really help.
First, create a dedicated workspace. This could be a desk, a specific spot at the kitchen table, or even a bed tray table. The key is to use this space only for studying. Over time, your brain will associate that place with focus and productivity. Motivation will still be tough, but having a study-only space makes it a bit easier to get in the right mindset.
Second, set clear goals for your future. Ask yourself: what do I want to achieve with this study? Plan it out in your head, write it down, or even make a mood board. Before every study session, remind yourself of your long-term goals. Do it for your future self. And don’t forget the small goals. Achieving them keeps you going. Small goals can be things like study for two hours, get a good grade, or stick to your schedule. Set those goals, doesn’t it make you feel more motivated already?
Tough times
Times will sometimes be difficult. They can be busy, cold in winter, or mentally challenging. Everyone struggles with difficult periods, but not many know how to fix it. In those times, all three hacks above will help you: stick to your schedule, do your daily routines, and motivate yourself. Set smaller goals for yourself and know that it’s okay to not always be okay. Work on yourself by getting enough sleep and taking short walks.
Another hack that might help is mindfulness. It can give you more mental clarity, help you find motivation, and guide you out of a low point. Mindfulness is the practice of studying your own mind. Observe your thoughts and feelings and see if there are any patterns. For example, if you see a dog, you might feel happier, or when you see an old lady, it might remind you of your grandmother who passed away — and you feel sad. If you find these patterns, you can start to understand what makes you feel better and focus on that.
Studying itself doesn’t make us feel depressed. It’s usually a lack of motivation, not having your own space, or something difficult going on in your personal life. Whatever it is, work on it. I believe in you.
These four things are the best hacks for me personally. This does not mean they will immediately work for you but give it a try. See what works for you. Is it creating a schedule and get insight of your weekly doing. Or is it finding the best routines for you, will give you loads of extra time. Maybe it is motivation, setting your future goals and work forward to it. Or maybe it is getting out of your mentally hard time, focussing on what you want and need. Whatever it is that works for you, do it. I wish you good luck in the next year!