I used to love to study a bunch and care alot about my grades but that vanished suddenly
My exams are next week but i dont have the motivation to do it anymore and spend mosy of my time on my phone more, however i do still care about my exams. I also cry randomly sometimes which i find really off and like i dont know what to do… i really need help please help me
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Hi user1243
Thank you for reaching out for help. I’m sorry to hear about your struggle.
Please don’t be discouraged, many students do experience loss of motivation to study especially when they have been studying intensively without breaks.
Many students can identify with this struggle - At the back of our mind, we are aware that there is limited time left to study as exams are next week.
However the temptation to use the phone is overwhelming and we give in. Using the phone provides a temporary relief and distraction. It’s like a breath of fresh air.
However, once we realise how much time was spent on the phone, we are faced with feelings of loss and helplessness. Understandably we feel emotional.
It may be helpful to :
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Reflect on what is behind the motivation loss. Try to identify the reason behind this sudden change. Was there a specific event, thought, or feeling that triggered it? Once you identify the trigger, you can choose your follow up actions mindfully whenever triggered. This gives you more control.
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Remind yourself what you want to achieve by studying. How does studying help you achieve your aspirations? Fall back on your past. You are a good student and care about your results. You have studied successfully for exams before. What did you do then to get through? You have proven inner resources to overcome this low period. Draw on your strengths.
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Set boundaries for yourself on phone use, like designating phone-free study sessions or using apps that track and limit your screen time.
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Allow yourself to feel and process emotions that are coming up. Journaling or talking to someone can help you understand what’s causing these random crying episodes.
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Despite feeling unmotivated, you still care about your exams. Make a study plan, set achievable goals, and reward yourself for small accomplishments.
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Ensure you’re getting enough sleep, exercise, and healthy food. Engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation in between study sessions.
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Talk to a trusted friend, family member, or counsellor about your feelings and struggles. They can offer valuable guidance and encouragement.
Remember, it’s okay to not feel okay. You can overcome this and find your motivation again. Take small steps towards your goals, and be patient with yourself.
Additional resources:
- Mindfulness exercises
- Study tips and productivity hacks such as pomodoro method.
- Emotional wellness resources
Please don’t be too disheartened, take small positive steps to get back on track. You got this!
Hi @user1243. As a student myself, I resonate with your feelings of burnout the deeper I get into my degree. Sometimes I also find myself doomscrolling when I have many chapters left to study. Here are some things that help me which you can try out, if you want to:
- Create small habits. Starting is always the hardest part, and having a lot to study is very daunting. I prioritise the heaviest topics to study first and then break it down into little parts. Atomic Habits (book) helped me a lot in creating these little habits that stick, even something small like reading 10 slides before/after eating a meal goes a long way.
- Watch study tiktoks/youtube videos, or curate a specific playlist only for studying. Study-with-me vlogs or specific songs playing in the background help motivate me to study since it feels like somebody is in the same battle with me.
- Reward yourself with things that bring you joy and rest. It’s important to listen to your body and not punish it for being tired. I find that going out for walks, buying dessert after studying, and studying in different places (aesthetic cafes, libraries) are great motivators. It helps to move rather than stay in the same place to study everything, which could feel suffocating.
Try to focus on the reasons why you want to do well for your exams and try to find back the motivation to study. I hope you will do well for exams!