how to get motivated doing homework

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How to Find Motivation to Do Homework

Last Updated: January 31, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Jake Adams and by wikiHow staff writer, Megaera Lorenz, PhD . Jake Adams is an academic tutor and the owner of Simplifi EDU, a Santa Monica, California based online tutoring business offering learning resources and online tutors for academic subjects K-College, SAT & ACT prep, and college admissions applications. With over 14 years of professional tutoring experience, Jake is dedicated to providing his clients the very best online tutoring experience and access to a network of excellent undergraduate and graduate-level tutors from top colleges all over the nation. Jake holds a BS in International Business and Marketing from Pepperdine University. There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,702,643 times.

Even if you love school, it can be hard to stay excited about doing homework. Just like with any other kind of work, it’s important to set personal goals and find your own inspiration to keep going. You can also help yourself focus by minimizing distractions and caring for yourself while you work. Finally, organize your time wisely and break your homework up into manageable pieces so it doesn’t feel too overwhelming.

Finding Your Drive and Inspiration

• Give yourself bigger rewards for bigger accomplishments. For example, you might go out for pizza with a friend after handing in an important paper.

• Just make sure you limit yourself to a specific amount of time (like 10 minutes, for example) so that you don’t end up getting totally distracted and wasting a few hours.

Did you know? Researchers in Japan recently discovered that looking at pictures or videos of baby animals before you start working can make you much more productive. [3] X Trustworthy Source PLOS ONE Online peer-reviewed, open access scientific research journal Go to source So, go ahead and watch a couple of cute kitten videos on YouTube the next time you need to work on a boring assignment. It might help!

• Doing homework with a friend doesn’t necessarily mean collaborating on the same assignments. You can just spend time together while you each do your own work. Only get your parent to help you if you need help.
• Check with your teacher first before working together with a friend on an assignment. They may want you to do the work by yourself.

• For example, if you’re a morning person, try doing your homework right after you eat breakfast.
• If you tend to get distracted while working at your desk at home, experiment with doing your homework in the library or a coffee shop instead.
• Some people also find it helpful to change their routine from time to time. If you find yourself getting bored, try working at a different time from usual or finding a new study space.

• Setting vague goals can lead to frustration. Instead of saying, “I’m going to get all my homework done this week,” try something more specific—e.g., “I’m going to work on my English essay for 1 hour every day this week.”

• For example, maybe you want to get good grades so you can get into your dream college, or possibly you’re working towards an exciting career.
• Doing a good job in your classes can also be its own reward—knowing that you worked hard and did your best is a great self-esteem booster!

Keeping Yourself Focused and Alert

• If you feel physically tense, do some yoga or light stretches before you begin to work.
• Doing breathing exercises can also help you feel more comfortable and alert.
• If you’re not already in comfy clothes, get changed before you start working. This may mean joggers, sweatpants, pjs, shorts, underwear, or even being completely naked. It's your choice.

• You’ll want a place where you can sit comfortably, but don’t get too comfortable. If you do homework in bed or on a cozy couch, you may be tempted to fall asleep!
• If you have to work at home, ask anyone who lives with you to give you a little quiet time while you do your homework.

• If you can’t resist messing around on your phone or visiting time-wasting websites on your computer, consider installing an app or a browser extension that blocks tempting apps and sites.
• Don’t try to work with a TV or radio on. If you listen to music while you do your homework, choose something that’s quiet and not too exciting, like some gentle classical music.

• Whole grains
• Healthy proteins, like fish, beans, or nuts
• Blueberries
• Leafy greens

• During your breaks, you can go for a walk, have a snack, do a little meditation , or even put your head down for a quick power nap .
• You can also use your breaks to reward yourself with a fun video or a quick game on your phone.

Did you know? Walking can improve your thinking skills. If you’re feeling stuck on a problem, going for a quick walk or even hopping on a treadmill can help! [13] X Research source

• For example, if you’ve been working on an essay for an hour or two, take a break and then switch to doing some math problems.
• Don’t try to do more than one task at once, though. Trying to multitask will disrupt your focus and cause you to make more mistakes.

Organizing Your Time Effectively

• Setting a schedule also makes it easier to avoid procrastinating .
• Make sure to schedule in time for breaks and relaxation, too!

Tip: You can avoid unpleasant surprises by writing important dates and deadlines into your schedule. For example, make note of when you have tests or quizzes coming up or when different assignments are due.

• Make an ordered list of all your tasks. Try to prioritize ones that are due soon, count towards a major part of your grade, or seem like they will be the most complicated to complete.
• Put assignments that aren’t due for a while or that you know you can finish quickly and easily at the bottom.

• For example, if you’re writing a big paper, you might break it up into pieces like doing the research, composing a bibliography, writing an outline, drafting the introduction, and so on.

• Productivity apps are helpful for some people, but they’re not for everyone. Make sure you don’t spend so much time worrying about the app that it starts to cut into your homework time! [19] X Research source

Supercharge Your Studying with this Expert Series

Community Q&A

Tips from our Readers

• Start your homework as soon as you get home from school (you may need a small snack first) instead of watching tv or using the computer. If you start another activity, it will be harder to stop it to switch to homework. Go straight to homework and think of TV and the computer as your reward for finishing.
• Sometimes I have a lot of work to do and it seems overwhelming, even if the work isn't hard. If I close my eyes and imagine myself doing my homework, it doesn't feel as intimidating and gives me the feeling that I can do it.
• Make a homework playlist in your music app and play every time you sit down to study. If music with lyrics distracts you, try looking up "study playlists" and "homework playlists," as they're usually just instrumentals.
• If you can, have your parents drop you off at the library after school for an hour (or however long your homework would take) so you can stay focused. There isn't much to do at the library and it's quiet.
• Take short breaks to rest your mind for a little while so that it is ready to get back to work. This works for a lot of people who just need to decompress after a long period of working and hard thinking!
• Think about having free time after the homework to do what you want. Also, think about having the homework done, being stress-free, and not getting in trouble because you didn't do your homework.
• Dedicate a space in your house to homework and decorate it. Make your homework space a place you like to be.
• Work with a buddy who doesn't get as distracted as you. This way, your buddy can help you stay focused.
• Chewing on gum can help you stay alert and focused if you're feeling tired or distracted.

You Might Also Like

• ↑ Jake Adams. Academic Tutor & Test Prep Specialist. Expert Interview. 20 May 2020.
• ↑ https://www.oxford-royale.co.uk/articles/tips-studying-motivation.html
• ↑ https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0046362
• ↑ https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/how-should-students-study-tips-advice-and-pitfalls
• ↑ https://www.umassd.edu/fycm/goal-setting/resources/smartgoals/
• ↑ https://allianzassistancehealth.com.au/en/living-in-australia/studying-motivation-tips-university/
• ↑ https://www.wgu.edu/blog/improve-online-study-environment1712.html
• ↑ https://share.upmc.com/2019/08/healthy-snacks-to-power-studying/
• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html
• ↑ https://news.stanford.edu/2014/04/24/walking-vs-sitting-042414/
• ↑ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/studying-101-study-smarter-not-harder/
• ↑ https://www.aiuniv.edu/blog/2016/april/4-steps-to-prioritize-tasks
• ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/aug/18/time-management-apps-work-life-balance-productivity

About This Article

To find the motivation to do your homework, give yourself small rewards after you accomplish a goal, like a 5 minute video after finishing a reading assignment. For larger accomplishments, like completing an important paper, give yourself a bigger reward, like going out for pizza with friends. You can also try giving yourself a treat, like a scoop of ice cream or 10 minutes to text your best friend, before you begin working to lift your mood and make you more productive. If you have a friend who won’t distract you, see if they want to do homework together so you can keep each other on track. To learn how to pick the best time and place to do your homework, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, how to do homework: 15 expert tips and tricks.

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Everyone struggles with homework sometimes, but if getting your homework done has become a chronic issue for you, then you may need a little extra help. That’s why we’ve written this article all about how to do homework. Once you’re finished reading it, you’ll know how to do homework (and have tons of new ways to motivate yourself to do homework)!

We’ve broken this article down into a few major sections. You’ll find:

• A diagnostic test to help you figure out why you’re struggling with homework
• A discussion of the four major homework problems students face, along with expert tips for addressing them
• A bonus section with tips for how to do homework fast

By the end of this article, you’ll be prepared to tackle whatever homework assignments your teachers throw at you .

So let’s get started!

How to Do Homework: Figure Out Your Struggles 

Sometimes it feels like everything is standing between you and getting your homework done. But the truth is, most people only have one or two major roadblocks that are keeping them from getting their homework done well and on time. 

The best way to figure out how to get motivated to do homework starts with pinpointing the issues that are affecting your ability to get your assignments done. That’s why we’ve developed a short quiz to help you identify the areas where you’re struggling. 

Take the quiz below and record your answers on your phone or on a scrap piece of paper. Keep in mind there are no wrong answers! 

1. You’ve just been assigned an essay in your English class that’s due at the end of the week. What’s the first thing you do?

A. Keep it in mind, even though you won’t start it until the day before it’s due  B. Open up your planner. You’ve got to figure out when you’ll write your paper since you have band practice, a speech tournament, and your little sister’s dance recital this week, too.  C. Groan out loud. Another essay? You could barely get yourself to write the last one!  D. Start thinking about your essay topic, which makes you think about your art project that’s due the same day, which reminds you that your favorite artist might have just posted to Instagram...so you better check your feed right now. 

2. Your mom asked you to pick up your room before she gets home from work. You’ve just gotten home from school. You decide you’ll tackle your chores: 

A. Five minutes before your mom walks through the front door. As long as it gets done, who cares when you start?  B. As soon as you get home from your shift at the local grocery store.  C. After you give yourself a 15-minute pep talk about how you need to get to work.  D. You won’t get it done. Between texts from your friends, trying to watch your favorite Netflix show, and playing with your dog, you just lost track of time! 

3. You’ve signed up to wash dogs at the Humane Society to help earn money for your senior class trip. You: 

A. Show up ten minutes late. You put off leaving your house until the last minute, then got stuck in unexpected traffic on the way to the shelter.  B. Have to call and cancel at the last minute. You forgot you’d already agreed to babysit your cousin and bake cupcakes for tomorrow’s bake sale.  C. Actually arrive fifteen minutes early with extra brushes and bandanas you picked up at the store. You’re passionate about animals, so you’re excited to help out! D. Show up on time, but only get three dogs washed. You couldn’t help it: you just kept getting distracted by how cute they were!

4. You have an hour of downtime, so you decide you’re going to watch an episode of The Great British Baking Show. You: 

A. Scroll through your social media feeds for twenty minutes before hitting play, which means you’re not able to finish the whole episode. Ugh! You really wanted to see who was sent home!  B. Watch fifteen minutes until you remember you’re supposed to pick up your sister from band practice before heading to your part-time job. No GBBO for you!  C. You finish one episode, then decide to watch another even though you’ve got SAT studying to do. It’s just more fun to watch people make scones.  D. Start the episode, but only catch bits and pieces of it because you’re reading Twitter, cleaning out your backpack, and eating a snack at the same time.

5. Your teacher asks you to stay after class because you’ve missed turning in two homework assignments in a row. When she asks you what’s wrong, you say: 

A. You planned to do your assignments during lunch, but you ran out of time. You decided it would be better to turn in nothing at all than submit unfinished work.  B. You really wanted to get the assignments done, but between your extracurriculars, family commitments, and your part-time job, your homework fell through the cracks.  C. You have a hard time psyching yourself to tackle the assignments. You just can’t seem to find the motivation to work on them once you get home.  D. You tried to do them, but you had a hard time focusing. By the time you realized you hadn’t gotten anything done, it was already time to turn them in. 

Like we said earlier, there are no right or wrong answers to this quiz (though your results will be better if you answered as honestly as possible). Here’s how your answers break down: 

• If your answers were mostly As, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is procrastination. 
• If your answers were mostly Bs, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is time management. 
• If your answers were mostly Cs, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is motivation. 
• If your answers were mostly Ds, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is getting distracted. 

Now that you’ve identified why you’re having a hard time getting your homework done, we can help you figure out how to fix it! Scroll down to find your core problem area to learn more about how you can start to address it. 

And one more thing: you’re really struggling with homework, it’s a good idea to read through every section below. You may find some additional tips that will help make homework less intimidating. 

How to Do Homework When You’re a Procrastinator  

Merriam Webster defines “procrastinate” as “to put off intentionally and habitually.” In other words, procrastination is when you choose to do something at the last minute on a regular basis. If you’ve ever found yourself pulling an all-nighter, trying to finish an assignment between periods, or sprinting to turn in a paper minutes before a deadline, you’ve experienced the effects of procrastination. 

If you’re a chronic procrastinator, you’re in good company. In fact, one study found that 70% to 95% of undergraduate students procrastinate when it comes to doing their homework. Unfortunately, procrastination can negatively impact your grades. Researchers have found that procrastination can lower your grade on an assignment by as much as five points ...which might not sound serious until you realize that can mean the difference between a B- and a C+. 

Procrastination can also negatively affect your health by increasing your stress levels , which can lead to other health conditions like insomnia, a weakened immune system, and even heart conditions. Getting a handle on procrastination can not only improve your grades, it can make you feel better, too! 

The big thing to understand about procrastination is that it’s not the result of laziness. Laziness is defined as being “disinclined to activity or exertion.” In other words, being lazy is all about doing nothing. But a s this Psychology Today article explains , procrastinators don’t put things off because they don’t want to work. Instead, procrastinators tend to postpone tasks they don’t want to do in favor of tasks that they perceive as either more important or more fun. Put another way, procrastinators want to do things...as long as it’s not their homework! 

3 Tips f or Conquering Procrastination 

Because putting off doing homework is a common problem, there are lots of good tactics for addressing procrastination. Keep reading for our three expert tips that will get your homework habits back on track in no time. 

#1: Create a Reward System

Like we mentioned earlier, procrastination happens when you prioritize other activities over getting your homework done. Many times, this happens because homework...well, just isn’t enjoyable. But you can add some fun back into the process by rewarding yourself for getting your work done. 

Here’s what we mean: let’s say you decide that every time you get your homework done before the day it’s due, you’ll give yourself a point. For every five points you earn, you’ll treat yourself to your favorite dessert: a chocolate cupcake! Now you have an extra (delicious!) incentive to motivate you to leave procrastination in the dust. 

If you’re not into cupcakes, don’t worry. Your reward can be anything that motivates you . Maybe it’s hanging out with your best friend or an extra ten minutes of video game time. As long as you’re choosing something that makes homework worth doing, you’ll be successful. 

#2: Have a Homework Accountability Partner 

If you’re having trouble getting yourself to start your homework ahead of time, it may be a good idea to call in reinforcements . Find a friend or classmate you can trust and explain to them that you’re trying to change your homework habits. Ask them if they’d be willing to text you to make sure you’re doing your homework and check in with you once a week to see if you’re meeting your anti-procrastination goals. 

Sharing your goals can make them feel more real, and an accountability partner can help hold you responsible for your decisions. For example, let’s say you’re tempted to put off your science lab write-up until the morning before it’s due. But you know that your accountability partner is going to text you about it tomorrow...and you don’t want to fess up that you haven’t started your assignment. A homework accountability partner can give you the extra support and incentive you need to keep your homework habits on track. 

#3: Create Your Own Due Dates 

If you’re a life-long procrastinator, you might find that changing the habit is harder than you expected. In that case, you might try using procrastination to your advantage! If you just can’t seem to stop doing your work at the last minute, try setting your own due dates for assignments that range from a day to a week before the assignment is actually due. 

Here’s what we mean. Let’s say you have a math worksheet that’s been assigned on Tuesday and is due on Friday. In your planner, you can write down the due date as Thursday instead. You may still put off your homework assignment until the last minute...but in this case, the “last minute” is a day before the assignment’s real due date . This little hack can trick your procrastination-addicted brain into planning ahead! 

If you feel like Kevin Hart in this meme, then our tips for doing homework when you're busy are for you. 

How to Do Homework When You’re too Busy

If you’re aiming to go to a top-tier college , you’re going to have a full plate. Because college admissions is getting more competitive, it’s important that you’re maintaining your grades , studying hard for your standardized tests , and participating in extracurriculars so your application stands out. A packed schedule can get even more hectic once you add family obligations or a part-time job to the mix. 

If you feel like you’re being pulled in a million directions at once, you’re not alone. Recent research has found that stress—and more severe stress-related conditions like anxiety and depression— are a major problem for high school students . In fact, one study from the American Psychological Association found that during the school year, students’ stress levels are higher than those of the adults around them. 

For students, homework is a major contributor to their overall stress levels . Many high schoolers have multiple hours of homework every night , and figuring out how to fit it into an already-packed schedule can seem impossible. 

3 Tips for Fitting Homework Into Your Busy Schedule

While it might feel like you have literally no time left in your schedule, there are still ways to make sure you’re able to get your homework done and meet your other commitments. Here are our expert homework tips for even the busiest of students. 

#1: Make a Prioritized To-Do List 

You probably already have a to-do list to keep yourself on track. The next step is to prioritize the items on your to-do list so you can see what items need your attention right away. 

Here’s how it works: at the beginning of each day, sit down and make a list of all the items you need to get done before you go to bed. This includes your homework, but it should also take into account any practices, chores, events, or job shifts you may have. Once you get everything listed out, it’s time to prioritize them using the labels A, B, and C. Here’s what those labels mean:

• A Tasks : tasks that have to get done—like showing up at work or turning in an assignment—get an A. 
• B Tasks : these are tasks that you would like to get done by the end of the day but aren’t as time sensitive. For example, studying for a test you have next week could be a B-level task. It’s still important, but it doesn’t have to be done right away.
• C Tasks: these are tasks that aren’t very important and/or have no real consequences if you don’t get them done immediately. For instance, if you’re hoping to clean out your closet but it’s not an assigned chore from your parents, you could label that to-do item with a C.

Prioritizing your to-do list helps you visualize which items need your immediate attention, and which items you can leave for later. A prioritized to-do list ensures that you’re spending your time efficiently and effectively, which helps you make room in your schedule for homework. So even though you might really want to start making decorations for Homecoming (a B task), you’ll know that finishing your reading log (an A task) is more important. 

#2: Use a Planner With Time Labels

Your planner is probably packed with notes, events, and assignments already. (And if you’re not using a planner, it’s time to start!) But planners can do more for you than just remind you when an assignment is due. If you’re using a planner with time labels, it can help you visualize how you need to spend your day.

A planner with time labels breaks your day down into chunks, and you assign tasks to each chunk of time. For example, you can make a note of your class schedule with assignments, block out time to study, and make sure you know when you need to be at practice. Once you know which tasks take priority, you can add them to any empty spaces in your day. 

Planning out how you spend your time not only helps you use it wisely, it can help you feel less overwhelmed, too . We’re big fans of planners that include a task list ( like this one ) or have room for notes ( like this one ). 

#3: Set Reminders on Your Phone 

If you need a little extra nudge to make sure you’re getting your homework done on time, it’s a good idea to set some reminders on your phone. You don’t need a fancy app, either. You can use your alarm app to have it go off at specific times throughout the day to remind you to do your homework. This works especially well if you have a set homework time scheduled. So if you’ve decided you’re doing homework at 6:00 pm, you can set an alarm to remind you to bust out your books and get to work. 

If you use your phone as your planner, you may have the option to add alerts, emails, or notifications to scheduled events . Many calendar apps, including the one that comes with your phone, have built-in reminders that you can customize to meet your needs. So if you block off time to do your homework from 4:30 to 6:00 pm, you can set a reminder that will pop up on your phone when it’s time to get started. 

This dog isn't judging your lack of motivation...but your teacher might. Keep reading for tips to help you motivate yourself to do your homework.

How to Do Homework When You’re Unmotivated 

At first glance, it may seem like procrastination and being unmotivated are the same thing. After all, both of these issues usually result in you putting off your homework until the very last minute. 

But there’s one key difference: many procrastinators are working, they’re just prioritizing work differently. They know they’re going to start their homework...they’re just going to do it later. 

Conversely, people who are unmotivated to do homework just can’t find the willpower to tackle their assignments. Procrastinators know they’ll at least attempt the homework at the last minute, whereas people who are unmotivated struggle with convincing themselves to do it at a ll. For procrastinators, the stress comes from the inevitable time crunch. For unmotivated people, the stress comes from trying to convince themselves to do something they don’t want to do in the first place. 

Here are some common reasons students are unmotivated in doing homework : 

• Assignments are too easy, too hard, or seemingly pointless 
• Students aren’t interested in (or passionate about) the subject matter
• Students are intimidated by the work and/or feels like they don’t understand the assignment 
• Homework isn’t fun, and students would rather spend their time on things that they enjoy 

To sum it up: people who lack motivation to do their homework are more likely to not do it at all, or to spend more time worrying about doing their homework than...well, actually doing it.

3 Tips for How to Get Motivated to Do Homework

The key to getting homework done when you’re unmotivated is to figure out what does motivate you, then apply those things to homework. It sounds tricky...but it’s pretty simple once you get the hang of it! Here are our three expert tips for motivating yourself to do your homework. 

#1: Use Incremental Incentives

When you’re not motivated, it’s important to give yourself small rewards to stay focused on finishing the task at hand. The trick is to keep the incentives small and to reward yourself often. For example, maybe you’re reading a good book in your free time. For every ten minutes you spend on your homework, you get to read five pages of your book. Like we mentioned earlier, make sure you’re choosing a reward that works for you! 

So why does this technique work? Using small rewards more often allows you to experience small wins for getting your work done. Every time you make it to one of your tiny reward points, you get to celebrate your success, which gives your brain a boost of dopamine . Dopamine helps you stay motivated and also creates a feeling of satisfaction when you complete your homework !  

#2: Form a Homework Group 

If you’re having trouble motivating yourself, it’s okay to turn to others for support. Creating a homework group can help with this. Bring together a group of your friends or classmates, and pick one time a week where you meet and work on homework together. You don’t have to be in the same class, or even taking the same subjects— the goal is to encourage one another to start (and finish!) your assignments. 

Another added benefit of a homework group is that you can help one another if you’re struggling to understand the material covered in your classes. This is especially helpful if your lack of motivation comes from being intimidated by your assignments. Asking your friends for help may feel less scary than talking to your teacher...and once you get a handle on the material, your homework may become less frightening, too. 

#3: Change Up Your Environment 

If you find that you’re totally unmotivated, it may help if you find a new place to do your homework. For example, if you’ve been struggling to get your homework done at home, try spending an extra hour in the library after school instead. The change of scenery can limit your distractions and give you the energy you need to get your work done. 

If you’re stuck doing homework at home, you can still use this tip. For instance, maybe you’ve always done your homework sitting on your bed. Try relocating somewhere else, like your kitchen table, for a few weeks. You may find that setting up a new “homework spot” in your house gives you a motivational lift and helps you get your work done. 

Social media can be a huge problem when it comes to doing homework. We have advice for helping you unplug and regain focus.

How to Do Homework When You’re Easily Distracted

We live in an always-on world, and there are tons of things clamoring for our attention. From friends and family to pop culture and social media, it seems like there’s always something (or someone!) distracting us from the things we need to do.

The 24/7 world we live in has affected our ability to focus on tasks for prolonged periods of time. Research has shown that over the past decade, an average person’s attention span has gone from 12 seconds to eight seconds . And when we do lose focus, i t takes people a long time to get back on task . One study found that it can take as long as 23 minutes to get back to work once we’ve been distracte d. No wonder it can take hours to get your homework done! 

3 Tips to Improve Your Focus

If you have a hard time focusing when you’re doing your homework, it’s a good idea to try and eliminate as many distractions as possible. Here are three expert tips for blocking out the noise so you can focus on getting your homework done. 

#1: Create a Distraction-Free Environment

Pick a place where you’ll do your homework every day, and make it as distraction-free as possible. Try to find a location where there won’t be tons of noise, and limit your access to screens while you’re doing your homework. Put together a focus-oriented playlist (or choose one on your favorite streaming service), and put your headphones on while you work. 

You may find that other people, like your friends and family, are your biggest distraction. If that’s the case, try setting up some homework boundaries. Let them know when you’ll be working on homework every day, and ask them if they’ll help you keep a quiet environment. They’ll be happy to lend a hand! 

#2: Limit Your Access to Technology 

We know, we know...this tip isn’t fun, but it does work. For homework that doesn’t require a computer, like handouts or worksheets, it’s best to put all your technology away . Turn off your television, put your phone and laptop in your backpack, and silence notifications on any wearable tech you may be sporting. If you listen to music while you work, that’s fine...but make sure you have a playlist set up so you’re not shuffling through songs once you get started on your homework. 

If your homework requires your laptop or tablet, it can be harder to limit your access to distractions. But it’s not impossible! T here are apps you can download that will block certain websites while you’re working so that you’re not tempted to scroll through Twitter or check your Facebook feed. Silence notifications and text messages on your computer, and don’t open your email account unless you absolutely have to. And if you don’t need access to the internet to complete your assignments, turn off your WiFi. Cutting out the online chatter is a great way to make sure you’re getting your homework done. 

#3: Set a Timer (the Pomodoro Technique)

Have you ever heard of the Pomodoro technique ? It’s a productivity hack that uses a timer to help you focus!

Here’s how it works: first, set a timer for 25 minutes. This is going to be your work time. During this 25 minutes, all you can do is work on whatever homework assignment you have in front of you. No email, no text messaging, no phone calls—just homework. When that timer goes off, you get to take a 5 minute break. Every time you go through one of these cycles, it’s called a “pomodoro.” For every four pomodoros you complete, you can take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes.

The pomodoro technique works through a combination of boundary setting and rewards. First, it gives you a finite amount of time to focus, so you know that you only have to work really hard for 25 minutes. Once you’ve done that, you’re rewarded with a short break where you can do whatever you want. Additionally, tracking how many pomodoros you complete can help you see how long you’re really working on your homework. (Once you start using our focus tips, you may find it doesn’t take as long as you thought!)

Two Bonus Tips for How to Do Homework Fast

Even if you’re doing everything right, there will be times when you just need to get your homework done as fast as possible. (Why do teachers always have projects due in the same week? The world may never know.)

The problem with speeding through homework is that it’s easy to make mistakes. While turning in an assignment is always better than not submitting anything at all, you want to make sure that you’re not compromising quality for speed. Simply put, the goal is to get your homework done quickly and still make a good grade on the assignment! 

Here are our two bonus tips for getting a decent grade on your homework assignments , even when you’re in a time crunch. 

#1: Do the Easy Parts First 

This is especially true if you’re working on a handout with multiple questions. Before you start working on the assignment, read through all the questions and problems. As you do, make a mark beside the questions you think are “easy” to answer . 

Once you’ve finished going through the whole assignment, you can answer these questions first. Getting the easy questions out of the way as quickly as possible lets you spend more time on the trickier portions of your homework, which will maximize your assignment grade. 

(Quick note: this is also a good strategy to use on timed assignments and tests, like the SAT and the ACT !) 

#2: Pay Attention in Class 

Homework gets a lot easier when you’re actively learning the material. Teachers aren’t giving you homework because they’re mean or trying to ruin your weekend... it’s because they want you to really understand the course material. Homework is designed to reinforce what you’re already learning in class so you’ll be ready to tackle harder concepts later.

When you pay attention in class, ask questions, and take good notes, you’re absorbing the information you’ll need to succeed on your homework assignments. (You’re stuck in class anyway, so you might as well make the most of it!) Not only will paying attention in class make your homework less confusing, it will also help it go much faster, too.

What’s Next?

If you’re looking to improve your productivity beyond homework, a good place to begin is with time management. After all, we only have so much time in a day...so it’s important to get the most out of it! To get you started, check out this list of the 12 best time management techniques that you can start using today.

You may have read this article because homework struggles have been affecting your GPA. Now that you’re on the path to homework success, it’s time to start being proactive about raising your grades. This article teaches you everything you need to know about raising your GPA so you can

Now you know how to get motivated to do homework...but what about your study habits? Studying is just as critical to getting good grades, and ultimately getting into a good college . We can teach you how to study bette r in high school. (We’ve also got tons of resources to help you study for your ACT and SAT exams , too!)

These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links, PrepScholar may receive a commission.

Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

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Daniel Wong

30 Tips to Stop Procrastinating and Find Motivation to Do Homework

Updated on June 6, 2023 By Daniel Wong 44 Comments

To stop procrastinating on homework, you need to find motivation to do the homework in the first place.

But first, you have to overcome feeling too overwhelmed to even start.

You know what it feels like when everything hits you at once, right?

You have three tests to study for and a math assignment due tomorrow.

And you’ve got a history report due the day after.

You tell yourself to get down to work. But with so much to do, you feel overwhelmed.

So you procrastinate.

You check your social media feed, watch a few videos, and get yourself a drink. But you know that none of this is bringing you closer to getting the work done.

Does this sound familiar?

Don’t worry – you are not alone. Procrastination is a problem that everyone faces, but there are ways around it.

By following the tips in this article, you’ll be able to overcome procrastination and consistently find the motivation to do the homework .

So read on to discover 30 powerful tips to help you stop procrastinating on your homework.

Enter your email below to download a PDF summary of this article. The PDF contains all the tips found here, plus  3 exclusive bonus tips that you’ll only find in the PDF.

How to stop procrastinating and motivate yourself to do your homework.

Procrastination when it comes to homework isn’t just an issue of laziness or a lack of motivation .

The following tips will help you to first address the root cause of your procrastination and then implement strategies to keep your motivation levels high.

1. Take a quiz to see how much you procrastinate.

The first step to changing your behavior is to become more self-aware.

How often do you procrastinate? What kinds of tasks do you tend to put off? Is procrastination a small or big problem for you?

To answer these questions, I suggest that you take this online quiz designed by Psychology Today .

2. Figure out why you’re procrastinating.

Procrastination is a complex issue that involves multiple factors.

Stop thinking of excuses for not doing your homework , and figure out what’s keeping you from getting started.

Are you procrastinating because:

• You’re not sure you’ll be able to solve all the homework problems?
• You’re subconsciously rebelling against your teachers or parents?
• You’re not interested in the subject or topic?
• You’re physically or mentally tired?
• You’re waiting for the perfect time to start?
• You don’t know where to start?

Once you’ve identified exactly why you’re procrastinating, you can pick out the tips in this article that will get to the root of the problem.

3. Write down what you’re procrastinating on.

Students tend to procrastinate when they’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed.

But you might be surprised to discover that simply by writing down the specific tasks you’re putting off, the situation will feel more manageable.

It’s a quick solution, and it makes a real difference.

Give it a try and you’ll be less likely to procrastinate.

4. Put your homework on your desk.

Here’s an even simpler idea.

Many times, the hardest part of getting your homework done is getting started.

It doesn’t require a lot of willpower to take out your homework and put it on your desk.

But once it’s sitting there in front of you, you’ll be much closer to actually getting down to work.

5. Break down the task into smaller steps.

This one trick will make any task seem more manageable.

For example, if you have a history report to write, you could break it down into the following steps:

• Read the history textbook
• Do online research
• Organize the information
• Create an outline
• Write the introduction
• Write the body paragraphs
• Write the conclusion
• Edit and proofread the report

Focus on just one step at a time. This way, you won’t need to motivate yourself to write the whole report at one go.

This is an important technique to use if you want to study smart and get more done .

6. Create a detailed timeline with specific deadlines.

As a follow-up to Point #5, you can further combat procrastination by creating a timeline with specific deadlines.

Using the same example above, I’ve added deadlines to each of the steps:

• Jan 30 th : Read the history textbook
• Feb 2 nd : Do online research
• Feb 3 rd : Organize the information
• Feb 5 th : Create an outline
• Feb 8 th : Write the introduction
• Feb 12 th : Write the body paragraphs
• Feb 14 th : Write the conclusion
• Feb 16 th : Edit and proofread the report

Assigning specific dates creates a sense of urgency, which makes it more likely that you’ll keep to the deadlines.

7. Spend time with people who are focused and hardworking.

Jim Rohn famously said that you’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with.

If you hang out with people who are motivated and hardworking, you’ll become more like them.

Likewise, if you hang out with people who continually procrastinate, you’ll become more like them too.

Motivation to do homework naturally increases when you surround yourself with the right people.

So choose your friends wisely. Find homework buddies who will influence you positively to become a straight-A student who leads a balanced life.

That doesn’t mean you can’t have any fun! It just means that you and your friends know when it’s time to get down to work and when it’s time to enjoy yourselves.

8. Tell at least two or three people about the tasks you plan to complete.

When you tell others about the tasks you intend to finish, you’ll be more likely to follow through with your plans.

This is called “accountability,” and it kicks in because you want to be seen as someone who keeps your word.

So if you know about this principle, why not use it to your advantage?

You could even ask a friend to be your accountability buddy. At the beginning of each day, you could text each other what you plan to work on that day.

Then at the end of the day, you could check in with each other to see if things went according to plan.

9. Change your environment .

Maybe it’s your environment that’s making you feel sluggish.

When you’re doing your homework, is your super-comfortable bed just two steps away? Or is your distracting computer within easy reach?

If your environment is part of your procrastination problem, then change it.

Sometimes all you need is a simple change of scenery. Bring your work to the dining room table and get it done there. Or head to a nearby café to complete your report.

10. Talk to people who have overcome their procrastination problem.

If you have friends who consistently win the battle with procrastination, learn from their experience.

What was the turning point for them? What tips and strategies do they use? What keeps them motivated?

Find all this out, and then apply the information to your own situation.

11. Decide on a reward to give yourself after you complete your task.

“Planned” rewards are a great way to motivate yourself to do your homework.

The reward doesn’t have to be something huge.

For instance, you might decide that after you finish 10 questions of your math homework, you get to watch your favorite TV show.

Or you might decide that after reading one chapter of your history textbook, you get to spend 10 minutes on Facebook.

By giving yourself a reward, you’ll feel more motivated to get through the task at hand.

12. Decide on a consequence you’ll impose on yourself if you don’t meet the deadline.

It’s important that you decide on what the consequence will be before you start working toward your goal.

As an example, you could tell your younger brother that you’ll give him $1 for every deadline you don’t meet (see Point #6).

Or you could decide that you’ll delete one game from your phone for every late homework submission.

Those consequences would probably be painful enough to help you get down to work, right?

13. Visualize success.

Take 30 seconds and imagine how you’ll feel when you finish your work.

What positive emotions will you experience?

Will you feel a sense of satisfaction from getting all your work done?

Will you relish the extra time on your hands when you get your homework done fast and ahead of time?

This simple exercise of visualizing success may be enough to inspire you to start doing your assignment.

14. Visualize the process it will take to achieve that success.

Even more important than visualizing the outcome is visualizing the process it will take to achieve that outcome.

Research shows that focusing on the process is critical to success. If you’re procrastinating on a task, take a few moments to think about what you’ll need to do to complete it.

Visualize the following:

• What resources you’ll need
• Who you can turn to for help
• How long the task will take
• Where you’ll work on the task
• The joy you’ll experience as you make progress

This kind of visualization is like practice for your mind.

Once you understand what’s necessary to achieve your goal, you’ll find that it’s much easier to get down to work with real focus. This is key to doing well in school .

15. Write down why you want to complete the task.

You’ll be more motivated when you’re clear about why you want to accomplish something.

To motivate yourself to do your homework, think about all the ways in which it’s a meaningful task.

So take a couple of minutes to write down the reasons. Here are some possible ones:

• Learn useful information
• Master the topic
• Enjoy a sense of accomplishment when you’ve completed the task
• Become a more focused student
• Learn to embrace challenges
• Fulfill your responsibility as a student
• Get a good grade on the assignment

16. Write down the negative feelings you’ll have if you don’t complete the task.

If you don’t complete the assignment, you might feel disappointed or discouraged. You might even feel as if you’ve let your parents or your teacher – or even yourself – down.

It isn’t wise to dwell on these negative emotions for too long. But by imagining how you’ll feel if you don’t finish the task, you’ll realize how important it is that you get to work.

17. Do the hardest task first.

Most students will choose to do the easiest task first, rather than the hardest one. But this approach isn’t effective because it leaves the worst for last.

It’s more difficult to find motivation to do homework in less enjoyable subjects.

As Brian Tracy says , “Eat that frog!” By this, he means that you should always get your most difficult task out of the way at the beginning of the day.

If math is your least favorite subject, force yourself to complete your math homework first.

After doing so, you’ll feel a surge of motivation from knowing it’s finished. And you won’t procrastinate on your other homework because it will seem easier in comparison.

(On a separate note, check out these tips on how to get better at math if you’re struggling.)

18. Set a timer when doing your homework.

I recommend that you use a stopwatch for every homework session. (If you prefer, you could also use this online stopwatch or the Tomato Timer .)

Start the timer at the beginning of the session, and work in 30- to 45-minute blocks.

Using a timer creates a sense of urgency, which will help you fight off your urge to procrastinate.

When you know you only have to work for a short session, it will be easier to find motivation to complete your homework.

Tell yourself that you need to work hard until the timer goes off, and then you can take a break. (And then be sure to take that break!)

19. Eliminate distractions.

Here are some suggestions on how you can do this:

• Delete all the games and social media apps on your phone
• Turn off all notifications on your phone
• Mute your group chats
• Archive your inactive chats
• Turn off your phone, or put it on airplane mode
• Put your phone at least 10 feet away from you
• Turn off the Internet access on your computer
• Use an app like Freedom to restrict your Internet usage
• Put any other distractions (like food, magazines and books unrelated to your homework) at the other end of the room
• Unplug the TV
• Use earplugs if your surroundings are noisy

20. At the start of each day, write down the two to three Most Important Tasks (MITs) you want to accomplish.

This will enable you to prioritize your tasks. As Josh Kaufman explains , a Most Important Task (MIT) is a critical task that will help you to get significant results down the road.

Not all tasks are equally important. That’s why it’s vital that you identify your MITs, so that you can complete those as early in the day as possible.

What do you most need to get done today? That’s an MIT.

Get to work on it, then feel the satisfaction that comes from knowing it’s out of the way.

21. Focus on progress instead of perfection.

Perfectionism can destroy your motivation to do homework and keep you from starting important assignments.

Some students procrastinate because they’re waiting for the perfect time to start.

Others do so because they want to get their homework done perfectly. But they know this isn’t really possible – so they put off even getting started.

What’s the solution?

To focus on progress instead of perfection.

There’s never a perfect time for anything. Nor will you ever be able to complete your homework perfectly. But you can do your best, and that’s enough.

So concentrate on learning and improving, and turn this into a habit that you implement whenever you study .

22. Get organized.

Procrastination is common among students who are disorganized.

When you can’t remember which assignment is due when or which tests you have coming up, you’ll naturally feel confused. You’ll experience school- and test-related stress .

This, in turn, will lead to procrastination.

That’s why it’s crucial that you get organized. Here are some tips for doing this:

• Don’t rely on your memory ; write everything down
• Keep a to-do list
• Use a student planner
• Use a calendar and take note of important dates like exams, project due dates, school holidays , birthdays, and family events
• At the end of each day, plan for the following day
• Use one binder or folder for each subject or course
• Do weekly filing of your loose papers, notes, and old homework
• Throw away all the papers and notes you no longer need

23. Stop saying “I have to” and start saying “I choose to.”

When you say things like “I have to write my essay” or “I have to finish my science assignment,” you’ll probably feel annoyed. You might be tempted to complain about your teachers or your school .

What’s the alternative?

To use the phrase “I choose to.”

The truth is, you don’t “have” to do anything.

You can choose not to write your essay; you’ll just run the risk of failing the class.

You can choose not to do your science assignment; you’ll just need to deal with your angry teacher.

When you say “I choose to do my homework,” you’ll feel empowered. This means you’ll be more motivated to study and to do what you ought to.

24. Clear your desk once a week.

Clutter can be demotivating. It also causes stress , which is often at the root of procrastination.

Hard to believe? Give it a try and see for yourself.

By clearing your desk, you’ll reduce stress and make your workspace more organized.

So set a recurring appointment to organize your workspace once a week for just 10 minutes. You’ll receive huge benefits in the long run!

25. If a task takes two minutes or less to complete, do it now.

This is a principle from David Allen’s bestselling book, Getting Things Done .

You may notice that you tend to procrastinate when many tasks pile up. The way to prevent this from happening is to take care of the small but important tasks as soon as you have time.

Here are some examples of small two-minute tasks that you should do once you have a chance:

• Replying to your project group member’s email
• Picking up anything on the floor that doesn’t belong there
• Asking your parents to sign a consent form
• Filing a graded assignment
• Making a quick phone call
• Writing a checklist
• Sending a text to schedule a meeting
• Making an online purchase that doesn’t require further research

26. Finish one task before starting on the next.

You aren’t being productive when you switch between working on your literature essay, social studies report, and physics problem set – while also intermittently checking your phone.

Research shows that multitasking is less effective than doing one thing at a time. Multitasking may even damage your brain !

When it comes to overcoming procrastination, it’s better to stick with one task all the way through before starting on the next one.

You’ll get a sense of accomplishment when you finish the first assignment, which will give you a boost of inspiration as you move on to the next one.

27. Build your focus gradually.

You can’t win the battle against procrastination overnight; it takes time. This means that you need to build your focus progressively.

If you can only focus for 10 minutes at once, that’s fine. Start with three sessions of 10 minutes a day. After a week, increase it to three sessions of 15 minutes a day, and so on.

As the weeks go by, you’ll become far more focused than when you first started. And you’ll soon see how great that makes you feel.

28. Before you start work, write down three things you’re thankful for.

Gratitude improves your psychological health and increases your mental strength .

These factors are linked to motivation. The more you practice gratitude, the easier it will be to find motivation to do your homework. As such, it’s less likely that you’ll be a serial procrastinator.

Before you get down to work for the day, write down three things you’re thankful for. These could be simple things like good health, fine weather, or a loving family.

You could even do this in a “gratitude journal,” which you can then look back on whenever you need a shot of fresh appreciation for the good things in your life.

Either way, this short exercise will get you in the right mindset to be productive.

29. Get enough sleep.

For most people, this means getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night. And teenagers need 8 to 10 hours of sleep a night to function optimally.

What does sleep have to do with procrastination?

More than you might realize.

It’s almost impossible to feel motivated when you’re tired. And when you’re low on energy, your willpower is depleted too.

That’s why you give in to the temptation of Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube videos more easily when you’re sleep-deprived.

Here are ways to get more sleep , and sleep better too:

• Create a bedtime routine
• Go to sleep at around the same time every night
• Set a daily alarm as a reminder to go to bed
• Exercise regularly (but not within a few hours of bedtime)
• Make your bedroom as dark as possible
• Remove or switch off all electronic devices before bedtime
• Avoid caffeine at least six hours before bedtime
• Use an eye mask and earplugs

30. Schedule appointments with yourself to complete your homework.

These appointments are specific blocks of time reserved for working on a report, assignment, or project. Scheduling appointments is effective because it makes the task more “official,” so you’re more likely to keep the appointment.

For example, you could schedule appointments such as:

• Jan 25 th , 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm: Math assignment
• Jan 27 th , 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Online research for social studies project
• Jan 28 th , 4:30 pm – 5:00 pm: Write introduction for English essay

Transform homework procrastination into homework motivation

Procrastination is a problem we all face.

But given that you’ve read all the way to here, I know you’re committed to overcoming this problem.

And now that you’re armed with these tips, you have all the tools you need to become more disciplined and focused .

By the way, please don’t feel as if you need to implement all the tips at once, because that would be too overwhelming.

Instead, I recommend that you focus on just a couple of tips a week, and make gradual progress. No rush!

Over time, you’ll realize that your habit of procrastination has been replaced by the habit of getting things done.

Now’s the time to get started on that process of transformation. 🙂

Like this article? Please share it with your friends.

Images: Student and books , Homework , Group of students , Consequences , Why , Writing a list , Organized desk , Gratitude

January 19, 2016 at 11:53 am

Ur tips are rlly helpful. Thnkyou ! 🙂

January 19, 2016 at 1:43 pm

You’re welcome 🙂

August 29, 2018 at 11:21 am

Thanks very much

February 19, 2019 at 1:38 pm

The funny thing is while I was reading the first few steps of this article I was procrastinating on my homework….

November 12, 2019 at 12:44 pm

same here! but now I actually want to get my stuff done… huh

December 4, 2022 at 11:35 pm

May 30, 2023 at 6:26 am

October 25, 2023 at 11:35 am

fr tho i totally was but now I’m actually going to get started haha

June 6, 2020 at 6:04 am

I love your articles

January 21, 2016 at 7:07 pm

Thanks soo much. It’s almost like you could read my mind- when I felt so overwhelmed with the workload heap I had created for myself by procrastination, I know feel very motivated to tackle it out completely and replace that bad habit with the wonderful tips mentioned here! 🙂

January 21, 2016 at 8:04 pm

I’m glad to help 🙂

January 25, 2016 at 3:09 pm

You have shared great tips here. I especially like the point “Write down why you want to complete the task” because it is helpful to make us more motivated when we are clear about our goals

January 25, 2016 at 4:51 pm

Glad that you found the tips useful, John!

January 29, 2016 at 1:22 am

Thank you very much for your wonderful tips!!! ☺☺☺

January 29, 2016 at 10:41 am

It’s my joy to help, Kabir 🙂

February 3, 2016 at 12:57 pm

Always love your articles. Keep them up 🙂

February 3, 2016 at 1:21 pm

Thanks, Matthew 🙂

February 4, 2016 at 1:40 pm

There are quite a lot of things that you need to do in order to come out with flying colors while studying in a university away from your homeland. Procrastinating on homework is one of the major mistakes committed by students and these tips will help you to avoid them all and make yourself more efficient during your student life.

February 4, 2016 at 1:58 pm

Completely agreed, Leong Siew.

October 5, 2018 at 12:52 am

Wow! thank you very much, I love it .

November 2, 2018 at 10:45 am

You are helping me a lot.. thank you very much….😊

November 6, 2018 at 5:19 pm

I’m procrastinating by reading this

November 29, 2018 at 10:21 am

January 8, 2021 at 3:38 am

March 3, 2019 at 9:12 am

Daniel, your amazing information and advice, has been very useful! Please keep up your excellent work!

April 12, 2019 at 11:12 am

We should stop procrastinating.

September 28, 2019 at 5:19 pm

Thank you so much for the tips:) i’ve been procrastinating since i started high schools and my grades were really bad “F” but the tips have made me a straight A student again.

January 23, 2020 at 7:43 pm

Thanks for the tips, Daniel! They’re really useful! 😁

April 10, 2020 at 2:15 pm

I have always stood first in my class. But procrastination has always been a very bad habit of mine which is why I lost marks for late submission .As an excuse for finding motivation for studying I would spend hours on the phone and I would eventually procrastinate. So I tried your tips and tricks today and they really worked.i am so glad and thankful for your help. 🇮🇳Love from India🇮🇳

April 15, 2020 at 11:16 am

Well I’m gonna give this a shot it looks and sounds very helpful thank you guys I really needed this

April 16, 2020 at 9:48 pm

Daniel, your amazing information and advice, has been very useful! keep up your excellent work! May you give more useful content to us.

May 6, 2020 at 5:03 pm

nice article thanks for your sharing.

May 20, 2020 at 4:49 am

Thank you so much this helped me so much but I was wondering about like what if you just like being lazy and stuff and don’t feel like doing anything and you don’t want to tell anyone because you might annoy them and you just don’t want to add your problems and put another burden on theirs

July 12, 2020 at 1:55 am

I’ve read many short procrastination tip articles and always thought they were stupid or overlooking the actual problem. ‘do this and this’ or that and that, and I sit there thinking I CAN’T. This article had some nice original tips that I actually followed and really did make me feel a bit better. Cheers, diving into what will probably be a 3 hour case study.

August 22, 2020 at 10:14 pm

Nicely explain each tips and those are practical thanks for sharing. Dr.Achyut More

November 11, 2020 at 12:34 pm

Thanks a lot! It was very helpful!

November 15, 2020 at 9:11 am

I keep catching myself procrastinating today. I started reading this yesterday, but then I realized I was procrastinating, so I stopped to finish it today. Thank you for all the great tips.

November 30, 2020 at 5:15 pm

Woow this is so great. Thanks so much Daniel

December 3, 2020 at 3:13 am

These tips were very helpful!

December 18, 2020 at 11:54 am

Procrastination is a major problem of mine, and this, this is very helpful. It is very motivational, now I think I can complete my work.

December 28, 2020 at 2:44 pm

Daniel Wong: When you’re doing your homework, is your super-comfortable bed just two steps away? Me: Nope, my super-comfortable bed is one step away. (But I seriously can’t study anywhere else. If I go to the dining table, my mum would be right in front of me talking loudly on the phone with colleagues and other rooms is an absolute no. My mum doesn’t allow me to go outside. Please give me some suggestions. )

September 19, 2022 at 12:14 pm

I would try and find some noise cancelling headphones to play some classical music or get some earbuds to ignore you mum lol

March 1, 2021 at 5:46 pm

Thank you very much. I highly appreciate it.

May 12, 2023 at 3:38 am

This is great advice. My little niece is now six years old and I like to use those nice cheap child friendly workbooks with her. This is done in order to help her to learn things completely on her own. I however prefer to test her on her own knowledge however. After a rather quick demonstration in the lesson I then tend to give her two simple questions to start off with. And it works a treat. Seriously. I love it. She loves it. The exam questions are for her to answer on her own on a notepad. If she can, she will receive a gold medal and a box of sweets. If not she only gets a plastic toy. We do this all the time to help her understand. Once a week we spend up to thirty minutes in a math lesson on this technique for recalling the basic facts. I have had a lot of great success with this new age technique. So I’m going to carry on with it for now.

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How to Motivate Yourself to Do Homework

How to Get Motivated to Do Schoolwork to Achieve Stellar Results

To motivate yourself to do homework, set clear, achievable goals, create a distraction-free study space, and establish a regular routine. Use a timer for focused work sessions, reward yourself after completing tasks, and maintain a positive mindset. Remember to take care of your health and seek help if needed.

• Make a Plan: Break tasks into chunks, set realistic goals.
• Seek Help: Find a mentor or use assignment services.
• Set Small Goals: Break homework into smaller, manageable objectives.
• Stay Organized: Keep workspace tidy and schedule organized.
• Take Breaks: Regular breaks to recharge.
• Give Rewards: Treat yourself for completing tasks.
• Stay Positive: Maintain an optimistic mindset.
• Get Specialized Help: Seek assistance for challenging subjects.
• Hang Out With Like-Minded Peers: Surround yourself with motivated friends.
• Eat Nutritiously: Maintain a balanced diet for focus and energy.

Are you wondering how to motivate yourself to do homework? Transform your study routine with actionable tips like staying organized, taking breaks, making a plan, etc. Read this article to help you foster focus and productivity.

Gain insight on tackling assignments and confidently turning your challenges into triumphs. Find out how to embrace the power of positive habits and witness your motivation soar. Let's break the cycle of boredom and ignite your passion for learning.

Instead of letting deadlines overwhelm you, let's turn them into milestones. With our proven methods, you can easily elevate your academic journey and conquer schoolwork. 

Motivation to Do Homework: Learn Why It Matters

Finding motivation for homework can sometimes feel impossible, especially when you're tired and overwhelmed with many responsibilities. But homework was not given by your teachers or professors as a form of torture.

It's a vital element in your academic journey, and staying motivated is the compass guiding the way to complete them. Consider motivation as the fuel propelling you through your seemingly impossible tasks.

Maintaining inspiration is crucial because it transforms routine assignments into valuable learning opportunities.

When you enthusiastically approach your homework, the benefits extend beyond completion—it fosters a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Embrace motivation as a tool for getting things done and fostering a positive and productive mindset. In the academic realm, staying inspired is the key to unlocking the doors to knowledge and answering the question of how to get motivated to do schoolwork.

Make a Plan to Help Jump-start Everything

Every student knows the feeling of being overwhelmed by homework. Sometimes, students can't help but scratch their heads, wondering how to get motivated to do schoolwork. It is indeed easy to drag your feet and procrastinate. The secret to conquering that mountain of assignments?

Make a plan! Start by breaking tasks into manageable chunks and set realistic goals. The key is finding what inspires you—a cozy study spot, a reward system, or a study playlist. Having a plan helps organize your workload and gives you a roadmap to success.

So, take a deep breath, make that plan, and watch as motivation for homework becomes your trusty sidekick on your academic journey! 

Seek Help and Find a Mentor

When wondering how to get motivated to do homework, seeking help and finding a mentor becomes a game-changer. The benefits are profound, whether it's reaching out to an alumna, a high-achieving peer, or even considering a professional online "do my assignment" service.

A mentor provides guidance, shares insights, and instills motivation by offering a fresh perspective. Alumnae brings real-world experience which may help you understand. Your peers offer relatability and can also help explain concepts.

Finally, assignment services provide expert support to ensure you can beat your deadlines.

Guidance not only eases your academic load but also fosters a collaborative spirit. Seeking help makes your assignments less daunting. Instead of feeling as if you're drowning in tasks, your mind becomes more prepared for learning and growth.

Break Things Down and Set Small Goals for Homework Assignments

When wondering how to force yourself to do homework, the secret lies in breaking homework assignments down into smaller chunks. Transform your daunting mountain of tasks into manageable molehills. Start with bite-sized objectives that feel achievable, gradually building momentum.

It's like turning homework into a series of mini-victories, making your workload more digestible. Small goals and specific tasks not only boost motivation but also promote a sense of accomplishment.

So, rather than overwhelming yourself, slice your assignments into manageable portions and check your to-do list.

Then, watch as each completed task propels you forward. It's a strategy that helps you stop procrastinating and makes you spend time working on relevant current and future assignments.

Stay Organized to Help You Crush Those Goals

Are you curious how to get motivation to do homework? The answer lies in staying organized to help you crush your goals. Picture your workspace as a battleground—clutter is the enemy, and order is your ally. It's challenging to stay focused amid chaos.

Studies show that a tidy environment fosters mental clarity. So, organize your tasks, create a schedule, and tidy up your space. As you conquer the clutter, you'll find motivation thriving. A well-ordered work area reflects a well-ordered mind, making your homework journey smoother and the path to your goals clearer.

Get organized and watch your motivation, propelling you to academic excellence! And start expecting good grades, and not just in your favorite subject.

Take Breaks to Help You Recharge and Achieve Homework Fun

Wondering how to get motivated for homework? Embrace the power of breaks to help you recharge and do my homework . Picture your brilliant mind as a battery! Continuous work drains your brain of energy needed for motivation.

Breaks act as the charger, replenishing your mental reserves. It's not about procrastination. Instead, think of these planned breaks as strategic rejuvenation. Step away, stretch, take a walk, or indulge in a quick hobby. Spend some time alone and rest for a few hours.

You'll find renewed focus and energy as you return, making your assignments more sustainable.

Strategic breaks aren't like other distractions.

In fact, they are essential tools for maintaining motivation. So, intersperse your study sessions with short breaks and witness how recharging catalyzes academic success. 

Give Yourself Rewards

Are you thinking how to motivate yourself to do school work, especially when feeling sluggish and tired? The answer lies in giving yourself rewards when hitting milestones. Consider it a pat on your back for a job well done.

Rewards don't have to be grand. Even simple treats can work wonders! When you associate completing tasks with positive reinforcement, it creates a sense of accomplishment. This becomes a powerful motivator, especially during slumps.

Whether it's a brief break, a favorite snack, or a small celebration, these rewards are energy boosts. They will help you inject enthusiasm into your schoolwork grind. Whether you're working on social studies, classical music, or any focused course, there are many reasons why a reward in the first place will make any assignment progress much faster.

Celebrate your victories, big or small. With each celebration, watch motivation become your constant companion. 

Stay Positive and Optimistic

Maintaining an optimistic mindset is the cornerstone of tackling any challenge, including homework. Want to figure out how to stay motivated to do homework?

It starts with cultivating a positive outlook. Embrace each of your assignments as an opportunity to learn and grow. Positivity breeds motivation! When faced with difficulties, view them as stepping stones, not stumbling blocks.

Surround yourself with an optimistic atmosphere—whether it's a neat study space or the support of encouraging friends.

Celebrate small victories and approach each task believing you can conquer it. Positivity makes the homework journey more enjoyable and transforms obstacles into opportunities for success. 

Get Specialized Help When You Need It

Pondering how to be motivated to do homework, especially when facing challenging subjects like math problems or drafting an English essay?

The key is getting specialized help when you need it. College encompasses a spectrum of subjects, from English and humanities to math and statistics.

Seeking math homework help for calculus or essay assistance from experts isn't a sign of weakness. You can think of this as a strategic move. Recognizing when to ask for specialized support is a strength. It alleviates your struggles and fosters a proactive approach to learning.

So, don't hesitate to reach out when faced with academic hurdles.

Specialized help ensures you conquer the complexities and stay motivated on your educational journey. 

Hang Out With Like-Minded Peers

If you're figuring out how to get motivation to do school work, one of the answers could be in the company you keep. Imagine being with friends who party hard and ditch deadlines. Uh-oh, that spells trouble!

Instead, surround yourself with like-minded peers who share your academic goals and enthusiasm. Studying with friends who are equally driven creates a supportive environment that fuels motivation. Exchange ideas and share strategies for work-life balance.

Celebrate your successes together. The collective energy of a group with a common purpose can be contagious, making your academic journey more enjoyable.

When you're in the company of peers who are passionate about learning, the motivation to excel becomes a shared experience, propelling everyone toward success. 

Fuel Your Brain and Body with Nutritious Food 

Listen up! Eat well to stay motivated. Why does your diet play an important role in how to make yourself do homework? What you fuel your brain and body matters!

A balanced diet is the secret weapon for sustained focus and energy. Incorporate brain-boosting foods like fruits, nuts, and whole grains into your meals. Skipping meals leads to fatigue, affecting your concentration.

By nourishing your body, you're investing in your academic success. So, make your plate a palette of productivity. Then, watch how your well-fed body becomes the foundation for a motivated mind. 

Students Tend to Forget Water Intake - Will You?

Hydration is critical when figuring out how to get motivation for homework. Dehydration can significantly impact concentration and focus, putting you in a study slump.

So, as a busy student, it's vital to stay hydrated. Water is not just a refreshing beverage to quench thirst. It's also an amazing cognitive enhancer. Many studies show that even mild dehydration can lead to reduced cognitive performance.

Therefore, keep your water bottle within arm's reach while tackling assignments. And drink before you feel thirsty because you're already mildly dehydrated by then. Water helps with mental sharpness. A well-hydrated brain is focused and ready to take on the challenges of homework. 

Use an Inspiring Music Playlist

Fill your study area with an inspiring music playlist—especially if you're wondering how to become motivated to do school work or contemplating how to do my assignment excellently. Music has a magical quality that can ignite motivation.

Create a playlist filled with fave tunes that uplift your spirits and set the tone for productivity. The right soundtrack can turn mundane tasks into engaging activities.

Whether you need a boost to start your assignments or a rhythm to carry you through to ace a test, music is a powerful ally.

So, put on those headphones, hit play, and let the motivational beats become the backdrop to your academic triumphs. 

How to Get Motivation for Homework - FAQs

How to get motivated to do school work .

Do you wish to unlock how to be motivated to do schoolwork? Think of this as like finding the perfect rhythm for a dance. Start small—break tasks into manageable steps. Surround yourself with a supportive study environment.

Use inspiring music as your soundtrack. Stay positive and celebrate victories. Your academic journey is a dance of determination. 

What can I do when I have no motivation to do homework? 

Feeling the homework blues? When you have no motivation to do homework, start small—break your tasks into bite-sized chunks. Change your scenery, create a dedicated study space, and consider incorporating inspiring music.

Seek support from mentors. Remember, every small effort counts, turning your homework struggle into achievable victories.

Where to find motivation in a few hours for schoolwork when I'm lazy?  

Curious how to do homework when you don't want to? Your journey from laziness to productivity is manageable by breaking tasks into small steps.

Then, create a motivating study environment and consider help. For example, seeking physics homework help or essay writing assistance from professionals when needed.

Every small effort counts because you'll find inspiration in every completed task. 

Is seeking professional help online acceptable? 

Absolutely! When figuring out how to get the motivation to do homework, seeking professional help online is a smart move. Online assistance provides valuable support, guidance, and resources, empowering you to tackle assignments confidently. It's a proactive step towards academic success in the digital age.

If I seek online help, how much will I pay? 

The cost of online help varies based on subject, complexity, and deadline, but consider it an investment in your academic success when exploring how to motivate to do homework. Our platform offers flexible pricing, ensuring accessibility to resources and assistance tailored to your needs and budget. 

Where can I find homework help? 

When wondering how to get yourself to do homework, remember that you're in the digital age and finding homework help is a click away. Explore our online platform for personalized assistance. We provide valuable support, making your homework journey more manageable and efficient. 

Is an online assignment platform legal?

Yes, seeking Python homework help , essay writing assistance, or any other service from an online assignment platform like ours is legal. We are a legitimate resource that aligns with the quest to answer how to get motivated for school work, providing valuable assistance and support to enhance your learning experience.

How to Focus on Homework and Actually Get Things Done: 12 Hacks for Busy Students

• September 15, 2022

Chances are, you’ve had some days when you felt overwhelmed after a long day at school. You couldn’t imagine doing anything other than plopping down in front of the television, let alone finding out how to focus on your homework. 

How can you overcome the resistance and get it done? How do you get your mind to include this task in your day as well?

With just a few adjustments, you will be able to expand your capacity to concentrate.

Why Can’t I Focus on My Homework?

Countless factors constantly fight for your attention : social media, people, overthinking, and anxiety. All of this can make you feel as though you have little control over your mind. 

If you want to start to focus better on your homework, you’ll need to set your mind up for success. Remove all distractions .

Here are two key principles that can help you be more successful in your studies:

1. Identify the distractions in your surroundings

What are the things in your daily life that take your mind away from your studies? Clearly identifying these distractions can help you understand both the problem and what causes it.

Among our environmental distractions, digital distractions are one of the worst kinds, and according to a number of studies , their effect is on the rise in the classroom.

If you’re looking to gain more concentration and, thus, form better study habits, question your online behavior first and foremost.

2. Limit the use of technology to find focus

What’s the role of social media in your daily life? Have you ever sat down to calculate how social media distracts you from doing the things you should be doing?

When you are wondering how to focus on homework long after you’ve put your phone away, you’re still thinking about the last posts you saw on Instagram. The sound of new notifications can be enough to reroute our attention from the task at hand.

And then comes the information overload, the fear of missing out, and the all-too-common signs of addictive behavior. Technology is affecting your mind more than ever, and it’s taking your focus away.

How to Focus on Homework: 12 Things You Can Do to Be More Indistractible

Here are 12 tips on how to stay focused while completing your homework, taught by superbrain coach Jim Kwik and habit transformation expert Nir Eyal .

• Make a routine
• Set up a study-friendly environment
• Avoid heavy meals
• Organize your study notes
• Tell others to stay away
• Listen to study music
• Set deadlines
• Take brain breaks
• Use discomfort as motivation for productivity
• Use time blocking
• Let go of thoughts that distract you
• Reimagine your task

Let’s look at each study hack in more detail.

1. Make a routine

Routines help you be productive without exerting as much effort. When you have homework to do, a study routine can be the reason you actually sit down, set enough time aside, concentrate, and stay focused until you complete the project.

This process doesn’t need to be complicated: just tell yourself that you will sit at your desk at home once you’re back from school. Put your phone on silent, make an outline of the work that needs to get done, and simply begin with what’s most important.

2. Set up a study-friendly environment

A place for everything and everything in its place. That applies to studying, too.

Lying in bed with your notebook is considered a distraction, as is being in the living room with your laptop while others are doing their activities.

You need an isolated place when you decide to focus on your homework. Make it feel comfortable, keep it organized, keep it clean, and consider putting up some motivational posters or positive affirmations .

3. Avoid heavy meals

It’s not advisable to have a big meal beforehand. Big meals can ruin your focus and make you feel sluggish and lazy because it takes a big amount of time and energy for your body to digest. A snack is okay.

There are also some foods , though, that are just plain bad for your productivity. For example, soda, candy, and fried foods are all full of sugar and have no nutritional value. They make your insulin spike up, but then it crashes very fast, which makes you feel depleted of energy.

4. Organize your study notes

Prioritize your work. Keep lists and place the most important items on top. Then work on the items that you should get done first.

It helps to outline what you need to do, breaking it down into smaller, more manageable steps. Use colors to highlight the essentials . 

This makes it all look much simpler and you’re more likely to actually get started. The brain loves organization and it won’t be so likely to procrastinate when it knows you have a structure set in place.

5. Tell others to stay away

Don’t be afraid to let others know that you’re studying and require some time and space to get your work done. Decide on fixed hours for studying and tell your friends and family members that you won’t be available during that time of the day.

If others respect your study time, you’ll be more inclined to respect it as well. 

6. Listen to study music

There are many tracks out there designed to help your mind focus. Whether you use binaural beats or just instrumental music, the right sounds can really help to tune your brain into a productive frequency.

This meditation is also great to listen to; it puts your mind in a clear, concise, and ready-to-take-on-the-world mode:

7. Set deadlines

Even if your teacher has already given you deadlines for each assignment, set new ones yourself at earlier dates.

This helps you build discipline, learn how to focus on studying, and prioritize every day.

8. Take brain breaks

Frequent breaks actually increase your productivity and focus. You’ll see that after each study session, the brain needs to be engaged with something different —  you need to activate other parts of your brain before going back to your studies so that you can reach top performance.

You can also use the Superbrain Yoga Technique. In the Superbrain Quest, Jim talks about implementing it during your breaks. It goes as follows:

• Massage the left lobe of your ear with your right hand, and the right one with your left hand
• Inhale and squat down
• Exhale and come back up while continuing massaging your opposite ear with the opposite hand
• Keep going for a few minutes

As your body moves, your brain grooves. — Jim Kwik, trainer of Mindvalley’s Superbrain Quest

9. Use discomfort as motivation for productivity

The brain is wired to protect us from danger, and our ancestors needed this function of the psyche to survive. Discomfort is associated with danger, and whenever they felt it, they knew it was time to run away or protect themselves in one way or another.

In today’s world, danger isn’t so imminent. However, discomfort is, and the brain still works to protect us in the same way. 

So why not use it to your advantage?

Once you have this mindset shift, you can see the discomfort that comes with doing your homework as fuel for moving forward, from pain to pleasure. So instead of procrastinating and avoiding the discomfort, just use it as motivation to get things done.

And maybe you can even save yourself a fun activity to do later in the day, so you have something to look forward to.

10. Use time blocking

You can use time blocking and set a specific amount of time for parts of your homework that needs to be done. For example, you block 30 minutes of reading, then another 30 minutes of writing down highlights from the text. 

This method will give you more structure and support you when you need to focus on school work, as you will have a dedicated structured time to do so.

11. Let go of thoughts that distract you

When you need more concentration, but your thoughts keep getting in the way, here’s a fun visualization exercise you can use:

• Before you start working on your homework, close down your eyes and imagine a flowing river in front of you. 
• Now, place every thought on a leaf and let it run down the river while watching it move away from you. 

Do this repeatedly for 5-10 minutes and see how your mind becomes clearer, more productive, and more inspired.

12. Reimagine your task

How can you make the process of doing your homework more fun? Is there any way you can think of to make it more exciting and engaging?

As you introduce play and fun into any task, your capacity to stay focused will increase. So just try out different methods to engage more in your homework. 

For example, what if you made a trivia quest about your history lesson homework? Or what about riddles to make you remember all the characters from the novel you have to read? 

Once you play around with these kinds of games, you might find that focusing on your homework isn’t as boring as you thought it would be.

Unleash the Power of Your Focus

Discovering how to focus on your homework can go beyond schoolwork and actually support you in many other activities you want to do. Concentration is one of the best skills to nurture for your growth.

If you need a little guidance at the beginning of your focusing journey, Mindvalley has it in store for you. 

By unlocking your FREE Mindvalley access , you can check out sample classes from quests that help you develop better focus and study habits, such as Becoming Focused and Indistractable by Nir Eyal and Superbrain by Jim Kwik. You can also immerse yourself in beautiful sounds and guided meditations designed to improve concentration and help you enter the flow state.

The earlier you start, the greater your journey of self-discovery will be. Welcome in.

— Images generated on Midjourney.

Recommended Free Masterclass For You

Discover Powerful Hacks to Unlock Your Superbrain to Learn Faster, Comprehend More and Forget Less

Join the foremost expert in memory improvement and brain performance, Jim Kwik, in a free masterclass that will dive into the one skill you will ever need — learning how to learn Reserve My Free Spot Now

Alexandra Tudor

Jim Kwik is the trainer of Mindvalley’s Superbrain and Super Reading quests. He’s a brain coach and a world expert in speed reading, memory improvement, and optimal brain performance. Known as the “boy with the broken brain” due to a childhood injury, Jim discovered strategies to dramatically enhance his mental performance. He is now committed to helping people improve their memory, learn to speed-read, increase their decision-making skills, and turn on their superbrain. He has shared his techniques with Hollywood actors, Fortune 500 companies, and trailblazing entrepreneurs like Elon Musk and Richard Branson to reach their highest level of mental performance. He is also one of the most sought-after trainers for top organizations like Harvard University, Nike, Virgin, and GE.

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6 ways to build motivation to do your schoolwork now that you’re forced to learn online at home

Assistant Professor of University Studies, Middle Tennessee State University

Disclosure statement

Ryan Korstange does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

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Even in normal circumstances, it can be hard to get motivated to do your schoolwork . But these are not normal circumstances.

The switch to remote instruction caused by COVID-19 has been unsettling. Patterns have changed. Habits have been disrupted . Remote classes are simply different from classes that involve face-to-face instruction.

As a researcher who looks at what it takes to get through college , I have a few tips that could maximize your motivation and productivity when you’re at home going to school online.

1. Guard your time

You do not need large amounts of time to be productive. Instead, be intentional and focused in short blocks where you can work without interruption. Protect these open times by setting up your workspace to minimize distraction – including silencing notifications on your cellphone or laptop. Communicate your boundaries to friends and family and make sure to identify times when work and socialization can happen.

2. Determine how much work is needed

Write down the work you need to accomplish, because there is a limit to how much information you can recall and process at one time. Examine the remaining projects, including research and written assignments, and estimate the amount and type of effort that each requires. Identify any tests and quizzes that are scheduled and determine what preparation is necessary.

3. Break large projects into smaller ones

Breaking big projects into smaller and more manageable tasks allows you to achieve maximum efficiency and effectiveness .

Your assigned tasks should follow a logical sequence. Some tasks are basic, like locating articles in the online library for a research paper. Others, like proofreading, are best left to do later in the process. Work steadily, and record your progress as you do, because you get more done when you can actually see the progress you’re making.

4. Set goals

When you set specific and difficult goals for your work and make them public in some way , it can boost your performance and enhance your motivation .

Setting generic, vague or easy goals is less helpful. Set goals related to effort. For example, plan to spend three hours one day studying for a certain class. Also, set goals related to the completion of specific tasks or products. For instance, give yourself a deadline to read and take notes on a specific article for a certain paper you must write.

Further, make time in your plan to deal with any interruptions and challenges that may occur. For example, when my 7-year-old gets bored or needs some attention and interrupts me in my work, I plan to spend 20-30 minutes doing something with her. We take a walk or a bike ride, or create some art. Then I can return to work. I even set a timer to keep myself honest.

5. Identify the rewards

It pays to clarify the rewards at stake this semester – whether those rewards are internal, such as the feeling of accomplishment that comes from understanding a difficult concept well, or external, such as getting a good grade.

Many universities are adopting pass/fail grading systems in the short term, so the external reward course grades provide will likely be different. Learning is what matters now. Focus on the course learning outcomes and make sure that you’re meeting them, because these skills will be the ones required of you as you progress toward your degree.

6. Be flexible and go easy on yourself

This is an unprecedented crisis, and we are all scrambling to make it work. You didn’t expect to spend these months at home, learning online. Some days won’t go as planed - and that’s alright. Forgive yourself when you don’t do your best, then move forward and overcome the setbacks .

When the pandemic passes

Eventually, this pandemic will be over. Face-to-face classes will start again, and this semester will be but a memory. The good habits you build and the strategies follow now to manage to learn and work independently will bear dividends in the future.

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How to Motivate Yourself to Do Homework

We all know the drill: homework can be a real drag sometimes. It’s tough staring down a mountain of assignments and not knowing where to even start. And let’s not even talk about those last minute all-nighters just to hit ‘submit’ right before class starts.

Feeling stuck and uninspired to do your homework? Get scrolling for quick and easy strategies to motivate yourself to do homework!

Looking for more student productivity tips? Subscribe to The Flow — our free quick, snappy, value-packed focus and recharge newsletter:

• First Name First

1. Break It Down

If your to-do list seems too large, try breaking it down into smaller, more manageable chunks.

Have 10 chapters of your textbook to read? Try reading the first paragraph only. Need to write a 1000-word paper? Start by writing the first sentence. Treat each chunk as a mini-goal that can be easily achieved. Soon enough, you’ll be surprised by how much work you’re able to accomplish already, and the momentum will keep you going.

Looking for a way to stay on top of your workload? Here are some of the best Notion assignment trackers to help you out.

2. Develop Routine & Structure

When motivation fails, discipline takes over. By making doing homework a habit, it’s easier to jump back into your study routine and get your tasks done. Start by creating a daily schedule that works for you and do your best to stick with it. Make use of digital planners, grade calculators, and assignment trackers to make doing homework streamlined and more efficient.

Check out some of the best Notion templates for students that you can incorporate into your work routine!

3. Elevate Your Study Space with Aesthetic Tools

The right visuals can be game-changers for your work sessions. A captivating background or well-designed tool can make the difference between slogging through your work and truly enjoying it. When your workspace is a feast for the eyes, you’re naturally more inclined to hunker down and get things done.

Whether it’s a Pomodoro timer set against a Parisian café backdrop or a virtual escape to Mount Fuji, aesthetics can turn your study grind into something you actually look forward to.

If you’re on the hunt for a one-stop-shop for all your study aesthetics, give Flocus a try. It’s a free browser-based productivity dashboard with customizable Pomodoro timers, inspiring quotes, and personalized greetings. Flocus brings a bit of romance to your daily grind. For more options, check out our full round-up of aesthetic study websites .

4. Form a Study Group

Sometimes, all we need is that extra push from our classmates who are doing the same thing to keep us motivated to finish our homework. Share your concerns, bounce ideas off each other, and lean on one another for support. That said, forming a strong support group early on in your school life can really make all the difference.

Not in the mood to meet up with friends at the library? Join the Flocus Discord server with thousands of productivity lovers and students to help you stay accountable and motivated.

5. Connect to Your “Why”

If you’re feeling unmotivated while sitting on a pile of math problems, why not try thinking about the bigger picture? Reflect on how mastering this specific topic can contribute to larger goals that you might have. The homework you’re doing might seem insignificant right now, but it’s slowly building the way for future successes in life.

6. Progress over Perfection

One of the main reasons why students usually procrastinate doing homework is the desire to do it perfectly — but this unhealthy need for perfection might be what’s killing your productivity and motivation. If you’ve spent the last three hours trying to curate the perfect plan to do your assignment, you’re probably doing it wrong. Just get started, and let the momentum guide you! You can always come back and improve later on.

7. Look for Inspiration

Reading self help books, watching study vlogs, or listening to podcasts are all effective means to learn how to stay motivated and boost your productivity. Don’t worry, motivation also often comes from the most unexpected places — a random sticky note, an unexpected text message, or a line from your favorite TV show character.

Check out our curated list of the best study motivation movies to get going with a dose of inspiration!

8. Rest When Needed

Knowing you have loads of schoolwork coming is stressful enough. Maximize the long breaks between Pomodoro sessions by grabbing a snack, doing breathing exercises , stretching, or taking a nap. Having a good amount of rest is a part of being productive and staying motivated.

That wraps up some of our best homework motivation strategies! With these techniques at your disposal, we can only hope that those long overdue assignments will become a thing of the past.

Did we miss any strategies to stay motivated while doing homework? Which strategy is your favorite to use? Let us know in the comments below!

Gridfiti is supported by its audience – when you buy something using the retail links in our posts, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.  Read more  about our affiliate disclaimer.

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How to find motivation to do homework

How to find motivation to do homework ? Struggling to motivate yourself to finish homework? You’re not alone! This article has strategies to help you stay motivated and reach goals. Create a positive atmosphere and set realistic expectations . Learn how to motivate yourself and find happiness in studying.

Why is Homework Motivation Important?

Strong Homework Motivation is key for academic success. Parents and teachers must foster the right mindset and goal-setting skills . Create a supportive environment at home and engage students in class through group work and quizzes.

Homework should be viewed as an opportunity , not an obstacle. Incorporate positive reinforcement such as regular study sessions and breaks in between. With work ethic and repetition, success will come with time! Plus, you’ll be able to brag to your parents and teachers.

The benefits of being motivated to do homework

Kicking off the article, motivating oneself for doing homework brings loads of advantages. Productivity increases, thus saving time and creating extra leisure. Plus, understanding becomes easier due to the release of positive hormones.

Apart from good grades, essential life skills are acquired such as setting goals and perseverance. Awards and incentives for excellent performance become attractive too, building character and preparing for future endeavors.

It’s key to have a positive outlook towards schoolwork, rather than seeing it as dull or a chore. This will help to pursue education, rather than just doing it out of obligation.

Evidence shows that completing homework has advantages apart from just following assignments. This could be getting accepted to a university or even a promotion. So, it’s vital to never ignore coursework and work on each learning opportunity.

Not doing your homework is like forgetting your parachute on a skydiving trip.

The consequences of not being motivated to do homework

Procrastination can result in unfortunate consequences for students. Poor grades, missed assignments, and deadline delays cause disappointment and anxiety, leading to a downward spiral of bad academic performance. Not being motivated to do homework can also lead to inconsistent learning outcomes and have a negative effect on career goals. To combat this, setting achievable goals and breaking tasks into smaller steps is essential.

Seeking support, collaborating with peers, keeping a study journal, practicing time management skills, and creating an appropriate learning environment can help boost motivation. Studies have shown that poor academic performance is linked to increased stress levels, leading to anxiety and depression.

Educators should provide conducive learning environments, offer resources such as counseling services, and develop positive relationships with students. Promoting self-reflection and goal-setting activities during student-teacher interactions can effectively support students’ motivation to complete their homework tasks successfully.

Understanding the Challenges: Common Obstacles to Homework Motivation

Homework tasks can seem intimidating for students. Finding motivation is tough. Common roadblocks like distractions, disinterest, and low energy can make students unmotivated to finish their homework. This leads to procrastination, bad grades, and poor academic performance.

To keep motivated for homework, focus on time management, setting goals, and staying focused . Ban distractions for effective studying. Set specific goals for each task; this will help you stay motivated throughout the assignment. Ask teachers or peers for guidance if you struggle.

Emotional distress and cognitive constraints are other obstacles to motivation. Stressful life events can affect schoolwork. Counseling services can help ease the burden.

Pro Tip: Plan rewards after completing homework tasks. This creates a positive feedback loop for future assignments. Without goals, your motivation is lost.

Setting Clear Goals: The First Step to Finding Motivation

To boost motivation for homework, set SMART goals . These should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound . Write them down and keep track of progress. Acknowledge what it would feel like when completed and recognize the reasons behind doing the work.

Incentives are key to increasing overall motivation. Edward Deci and Richard Ryan of Rochester University found that extrinsic motivators such as praise don’t motivate intrinsically. So incentives are important for students to foster intrinsic motivation and achieve success.

Who needs a five-star hotel? Transform your study space into a motivational spa retreat!

Creating a Positive Study Environment: Enhancing Motivation through Space

To boost motivation in building a homework routine, create an ideal study space. It should be uplifting and inspiring. A good study area helps maintain focus, increase productivity, and reduce stress.

Motivational posters and fresh flowers make for an aesthetically pleasing space. Plus, a clean and organized workspace aids concentration and decreases distractions. Clutter causes uneasiness and hinders interest.

Personalize your workspace for comfortability and engagement. Dim lights or soft music can make studying easier.

Pro Tip: Add personal touches or rearrange furniture to shift from boring monotony to an encouraging atmosphere. Need some motivation? Look at your grades and let it spark your enthusiasm!

Finding Your Motivation Triggers: Discovering What Inspires You

Discovering what inspires you is essential to stay motivated and productive when doing homework. Unearth the factors inhibiting motivation. Find Your Inspiration Incentives: Uncover What Revs You Up!

Here are some tips to help you:

• Set clear objectives. Think about why a course was chosen, what interests or people drew attention? Create daily goal checklists for priority tasks.
• Identify intrinsic and extrinsic motivators. Understand learning style via self-assessment surveys. Tailor study approach, don’t use common methods subjectively chosen.
• A fellow student shared their experience of struggling with homework motivation. Various online strategies used without reflecting on suitability. Reflect on psychological needs, tailor rewarding activities. Going for runs to release endorphins, happier moods to work hard! Motivation for homework is like a unicorn, hard to find!

Tips for finding homework motivation

Struggling to find motivation for homework? Here are effective techniques:

• Create a routine . Set aside the same time each day and use it solely to focus on work.
• Break assignments into smaller tasks .
• Find an accountability partner . Share progress with someone who cares.
• Use positive reinforcement . Reward yourself after completing each task.
• Remind yourself of your goals and stay motivated .
• Parents, nagging won’t help . Promise ice cream after they finish!

The role of parents in homework motivation

Parents: to enhance your child’s enthusiasm for homework, motivate them! You have an influential role in boosting motivation. Encouragement, structure and interest in their academic progress can all help.

Set a routine for daily assignments and offer rewards or incentives when they finish on time or get good grades. Use positive reinforcement such as praise instead of criticism.

Each day, ask your child about schoolwork. This promotes diligence and shows education is important to the family.

Show them different ways homework is beneficial. Ask them to contribute ideas on topics they want to learn more about. Create a deeper passion for learning.

Establish healthy routines. Demonstrate enthusiasm for academic mastery, not strictness and punishment. Improve the chances of preventing missing out on future opportunities that higher education offers.

A Call-to-action technique like “fear of being left behind” demands immediate attention from parents to incentivize kids passionately towards successful completion of homework tasks. Teachers can’t always motivate us, but at least they can provide plenty of material for procrastination.

The role of teachers in homework motivation

Teachers have a big part to play in motivating students to do their homework. By offering clear explanations, feedback and a positive classroom environment, they can inspire kids to tackle their assignments with excitement.

Personal help like one-on-one consultations or mentorship can help those who are having trouble, building their confidence and making them view schoolwork more positively.

To make sure learning sticks and to avoid frustration, teachers should use different strategies that suit individual students. For instance, interactive methods such as group conversations or project-based tasks create interesting learning experiences which help with homework beyond just memorizing.

Frequent communication between teachers and parents is also key in holding people accountable and getting parents involved in inspiring their children.

It’s important to take into account that each student is different, and this means adjusting the curriculum to fit varying abilities, as well as social and emotional factors like mental health or external pressures.

Research has shown that parent support is a must for successful student achievements. The National Education Association (NEA) reported that when parents get involved, it can bring many advantages, from an improved school climate and attendance to a higher motivation towards homework.

The role of peers in homework motivation

Peer influence is hugely important for homework motivation. It changes students’ values, attitudes, and behaviors towards their work. Peers can be role models or distractions, depending on the impact.

By watching their friends’ study habits, involvement, and grades, students can become motivated to copy or even exceed these standards. Working together helps share knowledge and get feedback. So, both teachers and peers need to create an environment that encourages learning.

Peer pressure can be a blessing or a curse. Research shows it can cause anxiety and bad performance, if it is negative.

A great example of peer influence in action is high school football players. Poor performers were paired with successful ones. This led to improved grades, thanks to the model behavior and social support from their high-achieving peers.

Managing Distractions: Techniques for Staying Focused on Homework

Maintaining Concentance: Strategies to Keep Your Focus on Coursework.

Stay productive and successful in completing homework by managing distractions. Here are five tactics to help you stay on track:

• Make a work area without interruptions.
• Organize your study materials before starting.
• Set reasonable goals and take breaks when needed.
• Stay away from tech distractions like social media notifications.
• Do the hard stuff first when your mind is sharp.

Good habits and limiting disruptions boost motivation and reduce procrastination. Listen to instrumental music or white noise to stay focused. Self-care is important for concentration.

My friend had ADHD in high school. Medication and other treatments didn’t help. So she got an academic coach. The coach gave her techniques like mindfulness, accountability with peers, and time management. That helped her coursework.

Take a break sometimes. Have ice cream and Netflix. Reset!

Dealing with Homework Burnout: Strategies for Recharging Your Motivation

Feeling burnt out or unmotivated with homework? Combat this! Strategies can help recharge your inspiration. Implement a study schedule that suits your goals, and rest . Break down tough assignments into smaller tasks. This will build momentum and confidence. Incorporate positive affirmations & rewards systems . Utilize these strategies to stay motivated and successful in academics. Recharge your motivation – it’s possible!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is it important to find motivation to do homework?

A: Homework is a crucial part of the learning process as it helps reinforce the lessons taught in class and prepare students for exams.

Q: How can I motivate myself to do homework?

A: Setting goals, breaking tasks into smaller chunks, creating a schedule, and using positive self-talk are effective ways to motivate yourself to do homework.

Q: What if I still can’t find motivation to do homework?

A: Sometimes, it can be difficult to find motivation to do homework. In such cases, talking to a teacher, tutor, or counselor can help identify underlying issues and find solutions that work for you.

Q: How can I make homework more enjoyable?

A: Trying different study techniques, incorporating rewards, and studying with friends or classmates can make homework more enjoyable.

Q: What should I do if I am constantly distracted while doing homework?

A: It’s important to identify distractions and remove them as much as possible. This can include turning off electronic devices, finding a quiet study space, and taking periodic breaks.

Q: How can I avoid procrastinating when it comes to homework?

A: Procrastination can be avoided by setting deadlines, breaking tasks into smaller portions, avoiding multitasking, and prioritizing your work.

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How can I stay motivated to complete homework?

Break down your study goals into smaller, more attainable chunks. Instead of panicking over the final page count for a long essay, take on each subtopic in the essay individually, and overcome them one by one.

Another way to stay motivated to complete your homework is to tie a carrot to the end of the stick, so to speak. For example, you can tell yourself, “Once I finish this assignment, and only when I’ve finished this assignment, I can hang out with my friends or play video games.”

Of course, you can also motivate yourself to complete your homework by thinking about how your accomplishment will positively benefit your future. You can think along the lines of, “If I stop procrastinating on this homework assignment and finish it now, I’ll get a better grade in class. If I get a better grade in class, my overall GPA will be higher, and I will look better on my college applications!”

Also Found On

Ten Homework Motivation Strategies for Children and Teens

Use these 10 strategies to end the homework wars..

Posted September 6, 2015 | Reviewed by Ekua Hagan

When it comes to homework, parents get burnt out hearing these hollow and suspicious words: "I did it at school," "They didn't give homework today," "It hardly counts for my grade," "My teacher never looks at my homework anyway," "That assignment was optional." As parents, hearing these words is enough to drive you crazy.

As I write in my book, 10 Days to a Less Defiant Child , parents must not let their emotions get the best of them when their kids are not getting homework done. The strategies below are for helping your child or teen get unstuck:

• Nix the nagging! Pestering creates an adversarial, shaming dynamic that backfires. Instead, try my Calm, Firm, and Non-Controlling approach. Gently empower your child or teen by supportively saying, "I see that you are frustrated. Let's think of ways to help you get back on track with your homework/schoolwork."
• Encourage effort over perfection. Be mindful that kids tend to get intimidated when they have a hard time understanding material. They may get into negative self-talk like, "I can't do this." Even if they're truly thinking this way, parents may instead hear comments like, "I hate this." or "This is stupid." Remind your child or teen that doing his best effort is better than not doing it at all.
• Prioritize. Coach and encourage that the order that homework is done based on urgency, complexity, and workload. At the same time, realize that some students do better by starting with easier tasks and that this can help spark them to tackle more demanding assignments.
• Break it down. Reinforce breaking up homework time into manageable chunks and encourage taking regular breaks. Encourage moving around and walking away for a bit. Remind that an apple really does provide the same effect, and is healthier than an energy drink.
• Think "15 minutes of pain." Have the student set a timer for only 15 minutes. Keep it lighthearted and explain that even if it "hurts" doing the work, she can stop after 15 minutes. Like most things in life, once we push ourselves and get going, it's not so bad.
• Don't be consequence ravenous. Imposing consequences for homework not being done can backfire with defiant behavior. If you use consequences, don't present them with yelling. Keep them reasonable and ask the student to help you be able to move towards rewards (don't go overboard) and minimize consequences. Remember that real, natural consequences are the best motivators.
• Encourage connection. Encourage the student to make or re-establish a connection with his teacher. I have seen hundreds of kids "shoot themselves in the foot" with incomplete homework if they don't have a decent relationship with their teacher.
• Change up the homework/study surroundings. Try putting an inspirational poster by the desk, moving to a different room, or silencing the cell phone. New changes can create more changes.
• Use those study halls. Encourage the use of them as much as possible. Some kids lose sight of that more done at school, means less to do at home.
• Allow for some fun. Notice if your student is racing through the homework just to have fun. Fun time like, TV, phone time, or surfing the web, is welcome, but make sure you put limits on it.

Jeffrey Bernstein, Ph.D. , is a psychologist and the author of seven books, including 10 Days to a Less Defiant Child.

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Encouragement Is the Strength: How to Get Motivated to Do Homework

Introduction.

No matter how bad a situation is, enjoying life is always important to us. It’s hard to tell that anyone is fully happy on this planet.

There is nothing constant about happiness. Life is a mixture of feelings and emotions and also various situations. Student life is boring for most students, but if you see it from a different point of view, you might find it encouraging or entertaining.

For instance, many people working hard to settle into their life in their middle age, often say that student life was better at their time, at least there was no tension. However, work-life indeed has more tension and responsibility as well.

But no one can say that student life is stressless.

On the contrary, the modern way of study is more complicated than ever. Moreover, the job market is getting competitive, and thus there is no chance of getting laid back and relaxed for students as their future depends on their educational background and scores.

The way students deal with their studies is not convincing at all. Most of them never get comfortable with their homework. They lack motivation due to high pressure.

Best Ways to Get Motivated for Completing Homework

Motivation is the key to encouraging your working process. If you lack motivation at the age of a student, this can be a serious concern to your future. It’s not just about the semester, but the life decisions.

Well, motivation comes with encouragement, and encouragement comes with healthy conversations and supportive nature. But unfortunately, there is not much time for people to push you for your homework.

Your homework is your responsibility; thus, you have to take some effective steps to get motivated and do your homework properly.

1. First Thing First: Marshal Your Day

This is the first step to starting your day properly.

If you are not able to manage a schedule for your whole day, you will not be able to deal with all the work properly. Homework needs adequate time and a relevant schedule to manage within the time.

Without organizing your day, how will you be able to know that you are completing your tasks on time?

In addition, an organized day will let you understand how effective it is compared to an unorganized day. You will be able to find the loopholes in your days, and that is a prominent process to complete your homework on time.

Moreover, with an organized day, your motivation level will rise and so would your confidence.

2. Work on Your Skills

When you get down to completing different kinds of homework, again and again, you will never get the motivation. For instance, many people do not have the skill to write, and thus they face problems in completing their essay assignments.

In such a case, if you can develop your writing skills, you will be able to complete your writing assignments with ease. So, it is a key process to develop your motivation and encourage yourself to do your homework properly.

3. Confused? Do Not Hesitate to Ask

Getting confused with difficult homework is not uncommon. But most of the students hesitate to ask their professors or instructors for clarification. The process of student motivation can be managed through a proper conversation with their instructors.

When you appreciate your professors or instructors, and you know that they are capable of resolving any problem related to the subject matter, you are already motivated. You just need to complete a simple conversation with your professor or instructor, in order to mitigate your confusion about your tasks.

4. Focus Is the Key: Pave into It

Homework is all about concentration. If you are not focused on your studies, it’s not possible to gain the lost motivation. Being fickle-minded is common in students, but if you indulge in it, being focused will be difficult.

Apart from that, homework is serious work that needs enormous concentration and the power to focus. Moreover, being constant with your concentration is difficult.

What is the rescue?

Try to exercise your focus and use meditation programs.

5. Time Is Power: Do Not Procrastinate

There is nothing more important than time management. It’s time to manage your time to complete your homework. Time management is a continuous process. We have already said that organizing your day is crucial.

At the end of the day, if you see that you have managed your time properly with a proper schedule, your confidence to complete the homework will rise.

6. What If It’s Small? Celebrate It

Dividing your goals into small segments can help you to achieve them more.

Small goals are the key to reaching the ultimate goal, and that is to submit your assignments within the deadline and get good marks as well.

Try to give yourself treats and rewards for completing small goals. This process will help you to get your motivation back on track.

7. Stop: Take A Break

When you think that it’s enough for the day, simply stop doing things. No one is asking you to push yourself to complete all the tasks within a day. Homework or study is all about going forward slowly to the ultimate goal.

Take small breaks and sleep well, or else you can go watch a movie or even enjoy with friends.

Be Smart and Manage Your Homework with Encouragement

Sometimes the situation gets difficult, and you might have to complete more than one assignment at a time, which is impossible for every student to complete. Moreover, if you try to complete the assignment, the quality might be questioned.

So, what’s the solution?

The solution is playing smart and using an essay writing service that is efficient enough to get your job done within time. In this way, you will be able to complete multiple assignments with your efforts and the help the of service.

When you get all the study materials and tasks completed within the deadline, will that not diminish your tension? Lack of tension help to increase your motivation.

Learn How to Focus Your Attention

Privacy Overview

• How to Do Homework Fast: Useful Tips
• How to Do Homework Fast: Expert Tips on Planning and Motivation

Doing Homework: Healthy Amount of Assignments

How to do your homework faster.

• How to Motivate Yourself to Do Homework
• How to Finish Homework Fast?

How to Do Homework Efficiently?

How to do your homework without doing it.

• Final Thoughts
• Frequently Asked Questions
• 1. What are some good places to do homework?
• 2. How to do homework when you don't want to?

3. How do I stay awake to do homework?

Need to learn how to do homework  faster ? Go no further if you are one of those students wondering whether the amount of assignments is fair and how to manage your busy schedule successfully. In this blog post, our academic writing experts share insights into how to finish homework tasks until your deadline expires without sacrificing quality. This article explains what a healthy amount of assignments is and gives a hint on how to do your homework without delays. Do you have a tough deadline? Consider using an expert academic service that can easily help with assignments. Say ' do my homework for me ' and get any task done quickly and on time.

Doing homework should help students digest gained knowledge. Children are not robots, but many teachers forget about this and assign lots of school work and tons of homework assignments . Even 4th-grade kids complain about having at least 5 subjects per night.  What is a professional opinion? Most experts suggest that an average school child should spend no more than 20 minutes per day solving after-class assignments in the 1st grade . Time for tasks increases by 10 minutes with each new grade. It doesn't mean that high school graduates should spend countless hours on after-class tasks every day. If the 10-minute rule is broken, students may face stressful situations. Is it fair? No, it's not. For this reason, you should know how to get homework done faster , no matter which grade you are studying in. Let's dig deeper into the ways to finish homework assignments with the help of these inspiring tips for students .

If you are a high-school or college student, you may wonder how to get homework done fast. In most cases, it's procrastination and distraction that prevents students from finishing assignments. Any distraction in the surrounding environment may cause procrastination – a student gets stuck in the start/middle of the writing process.  You can overcome this phenomenon by using these simple tips on how to do homework without getting distracted. 

• Do your assignment in a well-lit place. Your workspace should be well-lit, meaning the light is okay for the student's eyes during the reading or writing process.
• Choose the right place. The worst places to do the assignments are the floor and bed because you may feel uncomfortable and experience difficulties focusing on the process. Choose a sofa/chair near the table to start doing school work. Doing homework in a bed may result in a deep sleep.
• Isolate yourself from electronic devices . Any type of online communication is not a good idea while a student is doing the tasks. Turn off the social network accounts. Read the messages from friends later. Online or phone communication is not urgent as your school or college assignment is. 
• Prepare necessary resources. Make sure you have all the things you will need to get your homework finished. These are books, notes, computers, some special tools, papers, pens., etc.
• Set up website-blocking applications. If you constantly get distracted by messages from your friends, install any website-blocking app available online. This tool helps prevent yourself from visiting gaming websites or social networks.
• Have some healthy snacks. No coffee, sweets, or other snacks that contain a lot of sugar would be an option. On the other hand, healthy snacks such as nuts, fruits, and vegetables would be nutritional for your brain. Also, remember to drink fresh water.
• Track time you spend on tasks. Decide on the amount of time required for task completion and set the alarm. If you fail to complete this mission before your deadline, it's time to find a fresh approach. Your timer will show how good you are at time management.
• Ask for assistance. Seeking homework help is okay, but do not get involved in a long conversation. Turning to your professor or asking your classmates for pieces of advice would be a great idea. Also you can find many useful resources online (e.g., websites for homework answers ).

How to Motivate Yourself to Do Homework 

Read the tips that will help you find motivation to do your homework. Here's  how to get motivated to do homework :

• Think of the consequences. What if you fail to do your homework? Although it may not be very pleasant, think about consequences you may face after leaving your schoolwork for the last minute. How will you feel when submitting the task or receiving your grades for it. It might motivate you to start doing assignments in advance.
• Take a break when tired. Studying without a break does more harm than good. Take a brief 5-10-minute break every 30 minutes so that your brain and eyes have some rest from hard work. It would be great to have a walk as fresh air stimulates brain activity.
• Always reward yourself. How to get motivated to do homework? A good motivation is some reward a student can get after finishing an assignment. That is what makes the study process so much fun. If your parents do not pay you, come up with personal prizes to motivate yourself (examples: sweets, 30 minutes of a favorite show, playing a favorite game for 20 minutes, getting a new piece of cloth, meeting with friends, etc.). Think about punishments as well.
• Watch your health! A student should think about health first: drink water all the time, consume healthy food (people involved in the activities requiring regular brain work lose more calories than others), and do not stay up too late. What is the benefit of being good at planning? A student with such skill will never get stuck in doing all assignments over a single night without having a healthy sleep.

How to Finish Homework Fast? 

To understand how to finish homework faster, a student should focus on planning and organizing . Your success depends on the amount of time you plan on each task. Come up with the homework plan. Do not grab the 1st textbook in the bag to start your research – it may be the wrong source to begin with. Here are the expert steps that allow doing your homework fast and easy:

• Start in advance. Do not leave your assignment for last night. Starting beforehand might save you from sleepless nights and stress. This way you will be rewarded with fantastic results. 
• Plan ahead. Think about the amount of time you need for the entire homework. Calculate the amount of time a student would require on each assignment and preparation. Use a homework planner app to keep track of your schedule.
• Make a list. Create a list of various assignments you must complete overnight. Cross tasks off while working on your homework step-by-step.
• Check your task. A great idea is to check your assignment at school or college just after receiving it. Read through it to know whether you understand the assignment well or need some help from your teacher.
• Don't postpone. Start doing homework once you return from school or college. It's important not to postpone assignments to the last minute. You can get done with after-class tasks in time and do anything you want afterward. 
• Start from complex tasks. Determine the most challenging assignments in your homework and start with them. When you get stuck on one of them, switch to a more manageable task. Once you have completed some easy assignments, it is good to return to the difficult ones.
• Set priorities. Life is about setting priorities and speaking about learning how to get homework done, it is not an exception. Write down the most valuable, urgent homework assignment given by your teacher first. This way, a student risks failing minor tasks. 

A mobile device or personal computer is a double-edged sword when it comes to solving homework assignments. On the one hand, devices such as entertainment apps and games may distract students from schoolwork. On the other hand, some applications make the learning process easier .  These unique educational tools fall into several categories:

• Fun & games

Helpers are the general name for tools that help students cope with their homework.  Checkers and generators are homework helpers. The checkers help students check written assignments for any grammar, spelling, punctuation mistakes, or typos. They can identify wordiness, wrong word choices, and other errors. Such apps also check papers for plagiarism . The generators were designed to create citations, references and generate complete paper templates. They save a lot of time as they can generate in-text citations or a complete reference list in a couple of seconds.  Fun and games is a group of applications that distract students from doing homework. If you want to cope with your homework fast, avoid gaming applications and focus on your task. If you do it quickly, you will have more time for fun.  

There are cases when you need to do your homework but don't want to. But there is a smart solution. Would you like to learn the answer? One of such solutions is the third-party application created to help students with education. There are many mobile apps for students available on the market today. Free or paid, they can help with the assignments of various difficulties: from writing English essays to learning algebra  and even creating Business plans for MBA. Scanning the web for the best educational software is essential. 

Final Thoughts 

Hopefully, these tips were of great help. Use these methods to increase your productivity and do school tasks faster. Another thing that allows addressing "how to do my homework" request is an online academic writing service. This best homework help website is available 24/7 and always has writing experts ready to take your order. No matter what time it is, you can go online and buy a custom paper. Entrust your assignment to native-speaking writers, and they will complete any academic assignment for cheap.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. what are some good places to do homework .

In case you get distracted when studying at home, looking for a silent place would be a great idea. Here're 5 best places to do homework with ease: 

• School library 
• Coffee shop 
• Local park 
• Classmate's place 

2. How to do homework when you don't want to? 

If you don't want to do your homework alone, you may need a study buddy. Another idea is to use mobile apps that can help you with different subjects. But since technology isn't perfect, the best suggestion would be seeking academic writing assistance. One of such services is Just Do My Homework, offering professional help with any assignment. 

Though staying up too late to do homework isn't the best idea, there are some things that can make you awake. If you have lots of assignments to do at night, take a nap in the afternoon. Once you wake up, have a hot drink to activate your brain. Try to focus on your task to finish them quickly.   

Each day you return home after school and classes, tired and annoyed. And instead of having a rest, you have to start working on your studies. It is tough to focus on homework when you want to join mates or spend some time on the net. "So how to stay focused to do my homework?" you would ask. We hav...

Have you ever wondered who was that "good man" who invented a bunch of problems for students all over the world who need to do homework? Nothing appears from nowhere, so there are several versions concerning invention of this type of academic activity.The first claim belongs to the group of people w...

Are you a student looking for the best homework planner app? You’ve come to the right place. Whether you face challenges with tests and coursework projects, or simply want to spend meaningful time instead of doing homework assignments, we have a smart solution for you. Online student planners will b...

How To Motivate Yourself To Do Homework

Students losing motivation to do homework is very common, and sometimes they fail to motivate themselves back to do homework. There can be multiple reasons for their distraction like someone messaging them, good weather outside, online games, songs, people visiting their home, etc.

Now leaving homework is not the solution. One should always do his homework on time to perform well in exams.

If students start giving up on their motivation and leave their homework, it will harm them in terms of knowledge, and they won’t be able to perform well in their assessments. 

No Motivation To Do Homework?

Here are some of the tips you can follow to motivate yourself to do homework

It is effortless to keep yourself motivated to do your homework, just follow these simple steps, and you will never be too demotivated to leave your homework undone.

Eliminate Your Distractions

Do you feel lazy while doing homework? You should be very well aware of the things that distract you. While doing homework, keep all those distractions aside, and that will help you a lot to focus on your studies. 

The possible distractions for anyone could be TV, mobile phones, cousins, weather, songs, etc. Try to sit at a place where you don’t have these things near you so that you’re not influenced to get engaged in them and leave your homework. 

Choose a good place for your Studies

How will you do the homework when you are not feeling like doing it? I believe that the place you’re sitting has a significant impact on your motivation. There is no hard and fast rule. You can have any specific place of your choice where you feel that your concentration is good and you can get your school tasks done in less time. 

Some people like to do their homework on that day at school in some spare time, some likes to sit in the library and some find their bed where they can concentrate well. 

Look for Motivation to Complete Your Homework

Why is it so hard for us to do homework? It’s essential to build motivation for doing homework. The motivation for doing the homework can be many. Some students like to be the best in the eyes of their teachers , and they are driven to do everything as soon as possible so that the teachers praise them. The motivation can be achieving good grades in that subject.

Compete with Someone

This can be an extremely productive technique. You can challenge your friend who is equally good at studies as you are or even more than you so that you are encouraged to be at his level or even good than him. Try to complete your assignments before your friends and aim for scoring higher grades than them. This will lead you to be highly motivated to complete the homework properly without any mistakes to ace the challenge.

Take Help from Google

When you are too bored looking at the copies and books, try to search for the topic on google, you will get a vast knowledge about every topic. It will boost your interest in exploring more about that particular topic. As a result, you will be able to think in various dimensions, and your answers will be better than your classmates.

No motivation to do college homework?

Many students have misconceptions about college, and the image has been built up from the movies, TV shows, etc.

The reality is quite different. As the standard increases, so are the level of studies, and it gets tricky when college starts. Many students tend to lose motivation because they enjoy fun and stop giving time to their studies. As a result, the motivation to do assignments becomes zero.

In college, not only does the standard of studies gets higher but also becomes double as compared to school studies. 

There can be multiple reasons you find yourself losing motivation in college: 

• The standard of the classes has become very tough all of a sudden. 
• Your classes are no more attractive. 
• You might have selected the wrong college for yourself. 
• You might have failed to make good companions. 

Tips that can help you stay motivated in college

Think about your future.

You should never forget that you have a university ahead. Getting admission to a good university requires good grades and knowledge. Working hard and meeting deadlines will make you stay on track.

Have Gratitude

Gratitude is fundamental in life, and it helps you stay grounded . You being able to get admission to college is also a blessing. Think about how hard you have worked to be here, and now losing the motivation at this level will harm you in the long term.

Be Attentive in the Classroom

Try to focus on your lecture and engage as much as you can. Ask frequent questions from the lecturer related to the topic. It will clear your vision and develop your interest. As a result, you will be motivated to do the assignment or homework related to that topic.

Look for Classmates who you can study with

Positive people have a significant influence on others. Try to surround yourself with hardworking and goal-oriented students, and it will have a significant impact on you. They can motivate you whenever you are losing track.

How to motivate yourself to do homework with ADHD?

• Make a task list.
• Start small.
• Take help from others.
• Create a reward for yourself.

How to motivate yourself to do homework when depressed?

If you are suffering from depression and unable to do homework, try exercising daily, walking for some time, and starting a hobby.

How to motivate yourself to do homework on Reddit?

Set alarms for your tasks and try to complete them in that time. It will keep you motivated to complete your homework on time. 

How to motivate yourself to do homework when you are tired? 

• Choose a good and refreshing place.
• Eliminate distractions.
• Combine study. 
• Challenge your best friend.

How to motivate yourself to do homework during quarantine? 

During quarantine, the motivation to do homework becomes zero. Make your routine, organize yourself, and break down your tasks to stay motivated.

How to get motivated to do school work when depressed?

• Visit a therapist. 
• Prioritize your work.
• Give yourself time. 

If you are the one that has lost all the motivation to do homework for school or college, this article will be of good use to you. 

I hope that the article was helpful and it has motivated you to make changes in yourself. 

Note that, Consistency is the key. If you make rules for yourself and follow that, you will never be demotivated to do your homework.

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How to Get Motivated to Do Homework: Tips and Tricks From Experts

Students all around the world are facing a serious problem almost every day. They need to complete their homework. And in many cases, they need to complete quite a few assignments every day. Many students don’t manage to complete their school assignments on time, even if these assignments are interesting. These people would probably really enjoy working on their homework if they were motivated.

So, to be more productive and more efficient, you need to learn how to get motivated to do homework in college. In fact, learning how to get motivated is important for students of any age. With the right state of mind, a few tips and tricks, and a bit of planning, you will quickly be able to greatly increase your productivity even on less interesting projects.

Table of Contents

How do you do homework when you don’t want to, a good state of mind – how to make yourself do homework and love it, how do i regain motivation for school, how do you do homework fast and fun, tips and tricks on how to motivate yourself to do homework, how do you do homework when you can’t focus, does it really work, what is the best time to do homework.

“Every kid goes through puberty. They wonder what to do about girls and struggling with homework, and every adult has been through that.” Tom Holland

Here is what to do in case you feel unmotivated in school to do your homework:

• Recall all the past embarrassments as a result of your failure. Let that act as a motivation to get down and do your homework.
• Keep yourself busy with reading motivation to do homework quotes. It will boost your morale and compel you to do it.
• Associate yourself with people who love to do their homework. You will be challenged to get motivated to study.
• Develop a positive mindset towards homework. The mentality you have towards something will determine whether you do it or not.

As with all things, it is important to be in a good state of mind when you start doing your homework. In fact, the right state of mind is the first thing you need to learn if you are wondering how to motivate yourself to do homework quickly and efficiently. When you have a good state of mind – when you think positive – you immediately become a lot more productive. You start liking what you do and don’t consider the homework a chore anymore.

Think of it this way; is there anything you would do with pleasure when you are sad and depressed? Probably not; and this applies to homework as well. Also, it really helps to not consider the homework a chore you need to do because you would get punished otherwise. If you want to learn how to motivate yourself to do homework, you need to be able to think about homework as a necessary thing that will help you advance and that will help you become better in class and in life.

“You don’t drown by simply falling in the water. You drown by staying there.” Louis Cole.

One can, therefore, get motivated for school once again by:

• Loving your teachers or tutors . It is a determinant of the coziness of students in school.
• Getting involved in school activities . You will be able to feel a sense of belonging to the school and therefore feel an urge to stand by it.
• Relating well with other students . A school is like a community in which peaceful coexistence is necessary for the motivation to study.
• Finding pride in everything about your school .

As you may already know, most students hate homework because they associate it with a chore. Why don’t you associate homework with something interesting? You love interesting projects and would love to work with your fellow students on them. Why don’t you think about homework as an interesting project? Yes, you work alone on your school assignments, but nobody says you can’t call a friend or two and collaborate with them. One or two “colleagues” may be all the motivation to do homework you need. There are also a few tips and tricks that will help you with this quite a bit.

Everybody wants to get done with that homework fast and tune in to that favorite TV show as soon as possible. The trick is simple:

• Gather all you need for your homework
• Ensure the internet is at its best
• Get rid of any distractions
• Turn off your phone (for just that little while)

Here are some of the best tips and tricks you need to know when you want to learn how to make yourself do homework:

• Listen to music, but not just any music . Calming, relaxing music is recommended for students who are working on their homework. Keep the volume low so that the music doesn’t bother you or those around you. Of course, you are free to use headphones if you wish. Instrumental music works best because there are no lyrics to pay attention to. Symphonies from Tchaikovsky, Beethoven and Bach are great choices.
• Set goals and establish a reward system. Write the goals down so you don’t forget about them. Split complex assignments into smaller parts and set a goal for each part. Give yourself a reward after you finish every part, like 10 minutes off, a cookie, or even a quick video game. You will quickly learn how to be motivated to do homework with rewards.
• Take regular breaks. If you work several hours without taking any breaks, you will quickly tire and your motivation will dwindle away. You should take a 10- to 15-minute break every hour or so. Stretch for a bit, drink some water and disconnect from your work. You’ll return to the homework refreshed and a lot more motivated.
• Keep the consequences in mind. If you want to learn how to get motivated to do homework, you need to learn how to think about the consequences of your actions. Do you want a couple of low grades? Do you want your classmates to make jokes about you? Do you want to lose your self-esteem? Probably not; this is why you need to dedicate some time and effort to doing your homework every day. You’ll get plenty of free time after you finish it.
• Get some rest, if needed. You won’t be in the right state of mind to do your homework with pleasure if you are tired. This means that it is a very good idea to get a good night’s sleep before you start on a complex assignment. If you feel tired, get one or two hours of rest (also known as a power nap) and you will instantly feel refreshed and ready to tackle even the most difficult project. It doesn’t take much to get motivation to do homework.

If you can’t focus , you will keep on asking yourself, “why am I bad at doing homework?” Nevertheless, this shouldn’t be the case at all. The solution lies herein:

• Take a cup of coffee to stimulate your mind.
• Have a change of environment for a moment.
• A cold shower would do some good (really)
• Listen to that favorite song for a while then get back to the homework.
• A rest, probably 30-minute nap is recommended
• Go to a quiet room and settle there

Yes, you can learn how to get motivated to do homework. There is no question about it that the tips listed above work for most students. However, you also need to be able to put yourself into the right state of mind to work on your school assignments. It’s never a good idea to work on them when you are depressed or very tired. Get a bit of rest instead of struggling with the homework; it will help you a lot in the long run. Also, making sure you organize your workload and plan ahead is very important. Start working on more complex project early to avoid having to rush the assignment. As you already know, rush jobs will never get you the good grades you need and deserve.

I remember one thing that motivated me to finish my homework on time ; the fact that I would never do it again as I advanced. Every day I would say to myself, “just a little bit more; everything has an end.” Verily I say to you, the trick worked, and never did I see homework as an enemy, but rather, a best friend. One with whom I knew would guarantee a bright future for me.

Another interesting tip is to enlist the support of your friends and family. Ask your friends about how they manage to do their homework on time every day. Ask your parents about how difficult homework was in their college days. You will get the motivation you need to finish all your school assignments quickly and get a lot more spare time.

How do you see it waking up at dawn when your mind is fresh and alert and then doing all your homework? Wouldn’t it augur well if you just did your homework after refreshing your mind from all the day’s work in a school?

Still can’t find enough motivation to deal with homework? Good news! Enter promo “ homework20 ” and grab your writing assignment with 20% discount!

2 comments on “ How to Get Motivated to Do Homework: Tips and Tricks From Experts ”

THX so much for this!!!

This was a simple, short, and sweet article. On this note, you may want to include how to not get distracted while working on a computer or laptop or any other electronic device for that matter. I am guilty of this myself; whenever I have been assigned to do homework on my laptop, I like to play games and open other tabs on Google.If you could add this bit to this article, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for all the useful tips you have provided, and I can’t wait to see this portion in your article that I have suggested above!

Kaelyn Wilkins <3

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Tips on How to Get Motivated to Do Homework

Maintaining a regular homework schedule and stay abreast of school or college assignments is a tough task for all students. Yet there are some who are able to find ample motivation to do homework, helping them finish all tasks in time and produce quality work repeatedly. Ever wondered how do they do it?

How to Find Motivation to Do Homework – Tips to Get Started

There has to be something that inspires and drives you to do your homework and who knows it better than you. So, find that inspiration and use it as a reward for finishing your homework.

• If starting the homework is an issue, gain motivation by simply rewarding yourself to start at the decided time. Have your favorite snack while you assemble your stuff and start with a fresh mind.
• Set small milestones for a big assignment. Reward yourself at every milestone. It could be a 5-minute break, listening to one song, and then get back to work for the next milestone.
• If you feel you are not determined enough to finish an assignment in one go, sit with a friend who is good with homework. That works to keep you from giving up mid-way. It is also a great way to exchange ideas.
• Find the right place and time when you are your productive best.  Some people are early risers are work best in the mornings, while others are night owls. For some, the coffee shop or the library is the best place to study and for others, it is the park or a corner of their room.

Set SMART Goals for You to Do Your Homework

For anyone wondering how to get motivated to do homework, SMART homework goals is an excellent technique. It not only aids to stay focused but is also a great tool to help get your work done fast.

• S – Specific goals – set targets that are defined. E.g. – I have to finish one sample paper in two hours.
• M – Measurable – set targets that you can later measure. E.g. – I must finish three pages of the assignment in half an hour.
• A – Attainable – set small goals that you can genuinely achieve, not some high targets that bog you down midway. E.g. – Write five answers in one hour instead of 25 questions in 12 hours. That way you get to take a break and start all over again with a fresh attainable target.
• R – Relevant – In order for motivations to work goals and rewards have to be relevant. E.g. – If you have to submit your English assignment the next day and you set the goal to finish your math work today, then the goals are irrelevant and will never be motivating enough.
• T – Time-bound – Every goal no matter how small, must be set within a time frame. When you achieve it at the decided time, make sure to reward yourself.

In addition to setting short term goals, you must also have long term overall goals. Set short-term, every day goals and never lose sight primary goal for which you are working. It could be a good college, or a specific career eventually which can be your motivation for doing homework today.

Common Distractions That Tear Apart Homework Motivation

If you are wondering how to get motivated to do homework, maybe you should start by identifying the distractions first. Take a look:

• Social media updates
• The television running in the background
• Hunger pangs
• Thirst pangs
• Washroom visits
• Uncomfortable clothes
• Poorly stocked stationary
• Cluttered desk space
• Constricted workspace
• Dimly lit room
• Noisy surroundings

How to Motivate Yourself to Do Homework – Tips to Build Focus

You can find the motivation to do homework through ways that help you systematically cut down the distractions and create an environment perfect to achieve your target for the day.

• When you are trying to build motivation to do homework understand that a quiet place tops the list. Make sure the spot has ample light and space for you to work comfortably.
• Ensure that your desk or work area is clean and clutter-free and is one that houses all the little things which you will need to do your homework. This way you will not have to get up frequently to fetch items.
• For those wondering how to get motivated to do homework, it is good to remember that a calm mind is a must before you start. Yoga and meditation if practiced regularly help one to de-stress and cleanse the mind of multiple thoughts.
• If your study time is also the time when you get hunger pangs, first address your physical needs so that your mind can focus without the distractions of a rumbling stomach, thirst, or the need to use the washroom.
• Wear comfortable clothes that do not limit your movement, make you uncomfortable, or distract you frequently with an urge to pull and scratch while you are working. Put away your phone and switch off all gadgets that may distract you while you are working.

How to Be Motivated to Do Homework – Tips to Stay Organized and On Schedule

If you are finding ideas on how to motivate yourself to do homework, remember that staying on schedule is highly rewarding. Here are some great ways to get motivated to do your homework by using tools and techniques that will keep you better organized and on schedule with your assignments.

• Prioritize your work as per the submission schedule, the time required, and importance. Make a list of urgent tasks and the subsequent ones to stay organized. Having a daily and weekly timetable will help.
• Divide your work into smaller parts so that it is manageable. Do not get up until you have reached a milestone.
• Take frequent breaks. But remember that you must get up for a break only once you have finished one part of the work and not before that. Stretch your legs, have some water, eat some nuts, do some eye exercises, and then get back to work.
• Shift between taxing and lighter tasks to remain focused and interested.
• Set alerts and reminders. These help you stay on track with your work and never let you forget pending tasks.

Still No Motivation to Do Homework? Delve Deeper

If you have taken all steps to build your motivation for homework and yet are lacking the drive, delve deeper to find out certain underlying factors affecting your performance:

• Are you eating right? Analyze your diet and check if you are eating foods that make you lethargic. Avoid excessive intake of carbs. Instead shift your focus to nuts, berries, fish, beans, leafy greens, and whole grains. They help build focus and brainpower.
• Are you hydrated enough? A dehydrated body does not let the mind concentrate. Have at least 8-12 glasses of water a day to maintain body metabolism and alertness.
• Are you sleeping enough? Most students who seek help on how to get motivated to do homework find a solution in their sleep patterns. Lack of sleep, irregular sleep patterns, or prolonged sleeping hours wreak havoc with our bodies and hormones. Stressed, distractions, and fatigue are common side effects. Make sure you have a fixed sleep and wake-up time with at least 7-8 hours of sleep daily.

If you feel that you are overworked and have very little time for your homework, you can also seek professional homework help from us. Our writers are subject experts with years of experience in their fields. Get in touch with us to find grade-appropriate assignments and more to ease you out.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ

How to get motivated to do homework.

One of the best ways to find motivation for doing homework is to do it when your productivity is the highest in the day. You can do yoga and meditation to help you stay focused. Break up your work into sections and treat yourself every time you finish a job.

How to get a child motivated to do homework?

You can help a child find motivation for homework by dividing up their work into parts and alternating easy and difficult tasks. Make sure they are fed, hydrated, and comfortable and they are working in a well-lit, clean place free of noise.

Why do I lack the motivation to do homework?

Finding the motivation for doing homework can be difficult if you are distracted by physical needs, background noise, social media, uncomfortable work settings, and conditions, or because you keep needing things you forgot. Even unhealthy lifestyle habits can be a cause for the lack of motivation and concentration.

How to avoid homework procrastination?

If your motivation to do homework is low even before starting, it can lead to procrastination. You can prevent this by giving yourself a reward for starting on time. You should set goals and milestones for different tasks. Set rewards for each and don’t get up before reaching the milestone.

Alexa Donne is an exceptional online writer who is skilled and passionate about her work. She creates high-quality content that captivates the readers’ attention and ensures you get the best grade in your research papers and essays.

Don't Let Homework Take Over Your Life

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Top Secrets of How to Get Motivated to do Homework

“Homework” is a word that may be scary for many students due to various reasons. Some students refuse to do their homework and consider it a boring task. There is a need for motivation to get them back to work.

There is a saying that “When it comes to success, there is no shortcut.” To succeed in life, you have to do hard work, and the first part of that may be your homework. So, this is the thing that brings a lot of benefits to you and takes participation in your success.

But the question is how to get motivated to do homework.

Well, there is a large number of students that feel demotivated while doing their homework assignments. There are many ways to motivate yourself, if you are looking for the same, you are on the right track.

In this blog, we are going to uncover the top secrets of how to motivate yourself to do homework on time. We also tell you how Homework helps students to clear all their doubts regarding other subjects. 

Why do students lose interest in doing homework?

Table of Contents

Nowadays students study a couple of subjects. Some subjects might be interesting for them, and some not that is the reason the students lose interest in doing their homework because they find it a boring and unnecessary task for them. Some other reasons are-

• Lack of time
• Lack of interest
• Not attending classes consistently
• Lack of understanding of subjects
• Wasting of time playing games and watching tv and mobile phones
• Demotivation
• Lack of cooperation by parents and teachers

How do students get motivated to do homework?

Why do we work the way we do? What motivates our actions? How to beat lack of motivation? Different ways of thinking about motivation have been suggested by psychologists, including examining whether motivation comes from the outside (extrinsic) or the within (intrinsic) of a person.

Researchers discovered that each form has a distinct impact on a person’s actions and goal-setting. So, first, understand both motivations.

What Is outside (extrinsic) motivation?

When we are motivated to conduct an action because we want to receive a reward or escape punishment, this is known as extrinsic motivation.

What Is inner (intrinsic) motivation?

Participating in an activity because you find it satisfying or gives you personal pleasure, this is known as intrinsic motivation.

Let’s understand how to get motivated to do homework with the help of examples-

Inner factors on how to get motivated to do homework.

Take Short Breaks

Taking short breaks is a way how to get motivated to do homework. Yes, it is, but most students don’t value breaks, and they fail to recognize when is their fun time and homework time. They need to learn how crucial breaks can be for them. It would be best if you gave preference to the short breaks. Most of the homework takes hours and hours to be completed. Therefore the students feel pressure while doing their homework. It is often that the students need to perform better under pressure.

You should take a short break at regular intervals. In your breaks, you can stretch and walk around. These will help you to re-energize your mind and body to do some work in a quick time. Write the homework for half an hour and then take 5 short breaks. While doing two or more homework in a single day, you should take a nap of 2 hours between the homework. You can also do meditation for 10 to 15 minutes during your short break. It will help you to maintain a better focus on your homework. And you will enjoy doing your homework.

Listen to Classical Music While Working

Classical music is not the preferred music for youngsters, instead, it varies from person to person. But do you know that this music is the best music to stay focused on? You should play such music for background audio. The music should not contain any lyrics or beats, and it should be sober music.

A study has proven that students score high in tests who listen to classical music as compared to students who listen to pop, instrumental music, and other genres of music.

Eat Snacks and Drink Water

Don’t compromise your health while writing the homework. You may know Health is wealth, the better you feel, the more productive you can be. It is common when you are involved in work for a long time. Then you may get mentally and physically tired. If you don’t get enough rest and start doing your homework.

Then you may get a different result. You should hydrate your body and brain by drinking plenty of water. You should drink water and avoid soda, soft drinks, or any other beverages that contain sugar. Apart from that, it would be best if you also ate some healthy snacks or baked snacks. It will help you to regain your energy level without wasting your time eating food.

Set Goals and Reward Yourself

This is an effective idea when looking for how to get motivated to do homework. While doing the homework, you should set small goals. We know that homework isn’t a fun activity. But setting up small goals will turn your homework into a fun activity. You can set the goals by splitting your homework into smaller parts and setting goals for each part. It would be best if you also rewarded yourself while finishing every part.

Our brain loves the rewards, and after getting the rewards, it works more efficiently and faster. The reward can be 10 minutes of video games, listening to your favorite music, eating your favorite dessert, and so on. It will help you to get the best answer to how to get homework done fast. Apart from that, you will also get a solid answer on how to get motivated to do homework fast.

Outer Factors On How How To Get Motivated To Do Homework

Make a List to Plan Your Homework

Making a list is always a pre-plan of your homework is still beneficial for you. The reason is that planning will guide you to do your homework. In your plan, start creating a list to outline all your important tasks. Before making a list, you must figure out how much time you will take to complete your homework.

You can estimate both the maximum and the minimum time. After that, you should list the various tasks that you would have to do. You should also divide the time to do each task. You can estimate which task will take more time and which needs less. Making a list will help you to get started with doing your homework fast. You do not need to figure out what to do next after making a list because the list will guide you now.

Arrange All The Books and Resources You Need

We know that we can only do homework with books and other resources. Most of the students only give preference to arranging some of the supplies and books before getting started with their homework. While you start writing your homework, you discover that you need a calculator, compass, books, pencils, paper, etc. It can be time-consuming for you to arrange all these supplies at the moment you are writing the homework.

You should arrange all these supplies before starting the homework. Every homework is different, and every homework needs different books and supplies. So make sure that you are organizing the relevant books and supplies to do the homework at the time. Make sure to arrange all the books and supplies for homework at a time. It will help you to find the relevant answer to how to get motivated to do homework.

Avoid Distractions and Find the Quiet Place

Most of the time, we don’t value the place where we do our homework. A quiet place will help you to do homework faster as compared to a place full of distractions. I have seen most students do their homework in front of the TV. But it would be best if you didn’t do the same because TV is the biggest distraction in the house.

If you start doing your homework in front of the TV, you will waste most of your time watching tv and doing less homework. Therefore your homework will take more time than was expected to be done. Doing the work simultaneously always helps the performance of the individuals. So all you need to do is find a quiet place where you can find fewer or no distractions. If you have a study room, then start writing your homework.

Turn Off Your Phone

Smartphones have changed our life completely. We cannot live a single minute or even a second without our smartphones. But do you know that smartphones consume your most valuable time? You can save time by avoiding using smartphones for more than an hour or a few hours.

Most of the students think that avoiding phones is like putting your phone on the desk and then start writing your homework. But remember that there are better solutions than putting your phone far away. You have to turn off your phone if you want to know how to get motivated to do homework. Because if you put your phone away from you, you might check for the notification at regular intervals, which is not good for you. Because it will distract your mind and require more time to get back to your work.

Bonus Point: Strategies That Will Help in How to  Get Motivated To Do Homework

1. understand what the teacher expects.

Teachers often mention clues and guidance on what they want students to do in their assignments . Please make a note of all by writing it down on the page. It will provide you with project guidelines. Often, make sure you’ll be able to meet your teachers’ standards.

Keeping a to-do list is another homework strategy for students. It will protect you from sleepless nights the day before your deadline and ensure that you know all of your homework and assignments.

2. Start before it’s getting too late

Never do your homework until the last minute or the next day. Any work completed in a hurry is more likely to include errors. Do part of all of your tasks and projects regularly. It would prevent you from having to carry the whole workload on a single day. It also helps you review your work and make the required corrections.

3. If you need help, ask for it

You can do your homework independently. But keep in mind that everybody requires assistance from time to time. But feel free to ask for assistance. You may ask your professors, friends, parents, or siblings for help, and all of them would be happy to assist you. Learning is not possible alone.

Quick Links

• 10 reasons not to lease a car
• Strategies for visual learners

Now you may get the appropriate answer of how to get motivated to do homework. In most cases, the students try to do the homework within a single night. If they follow all the tips mentioned above, then they will get the answer of how to finish homework fast late at night.

So what are you waiting to do follow all the tips and start getting the best response to the question, how to get homework done quickly. All these tips are proven and written by experts. You will see the difference between your performance and can be able to do more homework in less time. 

Get the best homework help from the leading homework helper around the world.

Frequently asked questions

How can i do homework fast with fun.

Everyone wants to do homework fast and also enjoy it while doing it. The tricks that help in doing homework fast are as follows-

1. Make a note of your daily tasks. 2. Ensure that you use the internet for your purpose, not for fun. 3. Switch off your phone. 4. Choose a place where there are no distractions.

What should I do if I am not able to focus on homework?

Energy drinks help you in doing homework, but it also has side effects. Try to take natural drinks like water, and fresh fruit juices, or eat fresh fruits, healthy nuts, and snacks.

What can I do to feel motivated?

Try to put your phone away somewhere where you can’t reach it easily and repeatedly look at it while doing work. You can also use applications like BreakFree or offtime that limit your time of using your phone.   

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19 ways to get motivated

Cultivate a growth mindset

Ignite your motivation and build a growth mindset. Our coaches give you the tools to overcome challenges and achieve your goals.

Even professional athletes struggle to stay motivated. Waking up at 6 a.m. and hitting the gym daily isn’t easy, regardless of how much you love what you do.

Finding motivation is something everyone must deal with. Ambition wanes from time to time, and picking the momentum back up is important. You'll thank yourself when you see that you've stayed disciplined and learned how to get motivated.

Motivation can come from many places — your work , family, or a small reward . Whatever the source, don't stop until you're proud of yourself and want to shout it from the rooftops.

What is motivation?

Motivation is the instinct and desire to satisfy needs and achieve goals . It influences how we set priorities, channel our energy, and view our capabilities.

Motivation can be extrinsic or intrinsic . It can also be positive or negative. Let’s look at each type of motivation to better understand how we can leverage each one:

Extrinsic motivation

Extrinsic motivation comes from outside of you. It comes from an external source and is closely connected to ambition. A bonus, recognition, promotion, or reward are forms of extrinsic motivation.

Intrinsic motivation

Intrinsic motivation comes from within. It springs from your interests and passions . This can be a desire to make an impact, create something beautiful, or perform at the highest levels.

You don't practice craftsmanship because someone is telling you to. You do it because something is fulfilling and joyful in the act itself. You want to do your best work and can't always explain why — that’s intrinsic motivation, and it's associated with passion.

Positive motivation

Positive motivation is when you do something because you have an incentive. This is the promise of a benefit, like going over and above at work to earn a big promotion .

Negative motivation

Negative motivation involves avoiding consequences. E.g. children finish chores to avoid losing allowance. Intrinsic motivators can be positive (new opportunities, learning, curiosity) or negative (fear, threat, avoidance). Fear and threats can motivate in the short term but may backfire, leading to self-doubt and paralysis.

In general, over the long run, positive motivation is more effective in achieving the goals you set for yourself. This intrinsic self-motivation is more enduring and constant than extrinsic. Extrinsic motivators can fluctuate with changing circumstances. So look to your internal motivators — purpose, meaning, and passion for sustaining your effort.

It's essential to choose your motivators carefully and focus on what drives you to achieve your goals.

Why is motivation important?

Everyone gets tired from time to time and would rather procrastinate than get back to work. Motivation is important to keep people going, despite a lul in energy.

It fuels the discipline necessary to achieve goals and progress. Motivation propels people toward short and long-term goals while also helping them cope with difficult situations.

Research shows this causes a rise in dopamine levels in our brains.

Dopamine is the neurotransmitter known as the " motivation molecule ." Earning rewards — which, in turn, rewards our motivation. It causes a release of dopamine and creates a desire to experience that sense of accomplishment again.

What factors impact motivation?

Motivation is a complex psychological phenomenon influenced by a wide range of factors. These factors can vary from person to person and situation to situation. Here are some of the key factors that can impact motivation:

Internal motivational factors

• Needs and desires : Basic needs like food, water, and safety can drive motivation. As well as higher-level needs like belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualization.
• Goals : Setting clear and achievable goals can provide a sense of purpose and motivation to work towards them.
• Values and beliefs : Personal values and beliefs can influence what individuals find motivating or demotivating.
• Self-efficacy : A person's belief in their ability to accomplish tasks and reach their goals can affect motivation.

External motivational factors

• Rewards and incentives : Financial rewards, recognition, promotions, and other incentives can be powerful motivators.
• Feedback : Constructive feedback can boost motivation by providing a sense of progress and improvement.
• Social influence : The support and expectations of family, friends, colleagues, and mentors can impact motivation.
• Competition : The presence of competition can drive individuals to work harder and stay motivated to outperform others.

Psychological motivational factors

• Intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation : As we mentioned earlier, intrinsic motivation comes from within and is driven by personal interest and enjoyment. Extrinsic motivation is driven by external rewards or consequences.
• Expectancy theory : People are motivated when they expect their efforts to lead to desirable outcomes.
• Self-determination theory : Autonomy, competence, and relatedness are key psychological needs influencing motivation.

Environmental motivational factors

• Work environment : Factors like the physical workspace, office culture , and work-life balance can impact motivation.
• Resources : The availability of tools , materials, and resources necessary for tasks can affect motivation.
• Stress and burnout : High levels of stress and burnout can diminish motivation over time.

Biological motivational factors

• Brain chemistry : Neurotransmitters and hormones in the brain, such as dopamine, serotonin, and cortisol, can influence motivation .
• Sleep and health : Physical well-being , including sleep quality and overall health, can affect energy levels and motivation.

Life circumstances that impact motivation

• Life events : Major life events like marriage, childbirth, illness, or loss can have a profound impact on motivation .
• Economic factors : Financial stability or instability can influence motivation in various ways.

Cultural and societal motivational factors

• Cultural expectations : Cultural norms and expectations can shape what individuals find motivating.
• Societal pressures : Social and societal factors can influence motivation, such as the pursuit of success or conformity to certain ideals.
• Personality traits : Individual differences in personality, such as the need for achievement, locus of control , and risk tolerance, can affect motivation.

It is crucial to understand that motivation is a unique and ever-changing process, and what motivates one person may not work for another. Different factors can contribute to motivation, and it can vary based on changing circumstances. Recognizing and understanding these factors can help you leverage and maintain motivation.

Why do I feel unmotivated?

Feeling unmotivated is very common, and there are many reasons you may feel this way, including:

Fear inhibits your ability to think objectively and believe in yourself. This can make you hesitant to start or continue for fear of making a mistake. It's normal to fear moving forward. Remember, this is your mind's way of protecting you. But it doesn't mean you can't succeed. Face your fears head-on.

2. You've set the wrong goals

Part of growing up means doing things we don't necessarily want to do, like updating spreadsheets or putting away all that folded laundry. If you're feeling a lack of motivation, maybe you're in the wrong place. Have you set SMART goals ? Will the end goal make you fulfilled? Or are you aiming too high and feeling unmotivated because you know you’ll fail ?

3. Lack of clarity

Completing our work is hard if we don't understand what we should be doing. Humans generally like comfort zones and some degree of familiarity . So it’s understandable if you get frustrated and lose interest when something feels impossible or confusing. Challenge is good for motivation as long as it isn't overwhelming or overly unclear.

4. Lack of autonomy

Making decisions is a huge factor in gaining motivation. Passion and drive shine through when individuals have the freedom to act. If not, people are more likely to grow bored and be unproductive. See if there's a way that you can take control of what needs to be done.

5. Mental health

But the reason why you feel unmotivated might not stem from not setting goals incorrectly or lacking clarity. When you break down why you lack motivation, you might find that it's because of mental health issues.

A lack of motivation is a symptom of mental health issues like depression . If you find that your mental health is impacting your motivation, you may want to seek help from a professional . Practicing ways to take care of yourself is a habit that will benefit your well-being for the future, alongside your motivation levels.

Life will always present hurdles, but how you respond to them will steer your life’s trajectory. To kick your procrastination and stay focused when you're having a hard time, here are some things to keep in mind:

1. Reassess your goals

Do you feel inspired by your life plan , or is it time for a new one? Are your goals realistic ? Can you still accomplish these things in your current time frame? If your goals aren't realistic or don't inspire you, then take the time to reassess them. Taking a moment to pause and reflect will help ensure that your goals are attainable and will help grow your motivation.

2. Start small

Don't be afraid to break your long-term goals into small steps to keep checking off along the way, and adjust the steps as you need. Having one goal is much harder to focus on than a few big goals or many small ones.

3. Remember what motivated you in the first place

Why did you start? It doesn't matter if intrinsic or extrinsic motivation drives you. As long as it keeps you going, then they're valid. Your motivation may look different compared to your friend's, but that's OK. Stick with whatever motivates you, and don't forget it.

4. Take motivation from others

Talk to your friend or mentor , read a book , or listen to an upbeat playlist to find positivity and inspiration. Be open-minded and learn how others find motivation. The methods they use might spark some motivation for you. Motivation comes from various sources, and listening to others might expand your perspective on how to gain it.

5. Take a break

It's perfectly fine to step away from whatever task you're working on and take a short break . You can’t expect yourself to sustain your motivation for eight hours straight, so taking breaks is a good habit to practice. This allows us to reset our minds, hone our focus, and be more efficient when we need to get back on track.

6. Practice self-care

Your motivation won't be as strong if you don't care for yourself. Things like struggling to sleep well, lacking time to relax, and succumbing to burnout all impact your motivation level.

But with a healthy and manageable self-care plan , you'll take care of your mind and body and help your motivation grow. You can practice self-care tips like reading, exercising, or a hobby like painting. It's whatever makes you feel rejuvenated and refreshed.

7. Do unwanted tasks with things you enjoy

Sometimes, you don't want to do things because of your mood. You're in a funk , and your motivation to accomplish things is poor. But what happens if you pair your tasks with something you enjoy? If you have to clean the house, try putting on your favorite playlist or motivational podcast .

Or if you have errands to run, see if a friend can provide some company. As long as your fun doesn't distract you from your task, there's no rule saying you can't incorporate some fun to spice things up.

8. Reward yourself for your efforts

Rewards aren't exclusively for when you finish a task. If your task is going to take a long time, try breaking it up with some rewards along the way. You could incorporate your rewards by working 30 minutes and then having a five-minute stretch break. Or writing five pages of your report and then taking a 10-minute walk.

Thinking about your rewards will help you gain motivation and accomplish your tasks. Just ensure your rewards aren't counterproductive and don't derail your focus.

9. Practice self-compassion

Self-criticism isn't going to motivate you. In fact, it's going to harm your motivation. Practicing self-compassion means that you speak kindly to yourself and you quiet your inner critic. When you make a mistake or something doesn't go according to plan, your self-compassion will help you problem-solve through it.

You can do this by telling yourself meaningful and positive affirmations and talking to yourself as you would to a friend.

10. Visualize success

Close your eyes and vividly imagine yourself successfully completing your goals. Visualizing success can help you connect with your desires and motivate you to work toward them.

11. Create a vision board

Make a visual representation of your goals and dreams using images, words, and symbols. Having a vision board in your workspace can be a constant reminder of what you're working towards.

12. Set specific deadlines

Establish clear and specific deadlines for your tasks and goals. Knowing that there's a timeframe can create a sense of urgency and motivate you to stay on track.

13. Find an accountability partner

Share your goals with a friend or family member who can hold you accountable. Regular check-ins and encouragement from someone you trust can help keep you motivated.

14. Break tasks into time blocks

Use techniques like the Pomodoro Technique to break your work into focused time blocks with short breaks in between. This can make tasks feel more manageable and prevent burnout.

15. Seek inspiration from role models

Look up to people who have achieved what you aspire to accomplish. Study their journeys, setbacks, and successes to gain inspiration and insights.

16. Embrace failure as a learning opportunity

Don't let fear of failure hold you back. View setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow. The resilience you gain from failures can drive you to keep moving forward.

17. Practice mindfulness

Incorporate mindfulness techniques into your daily routine to stay present and reduce stress. Mindfulness can help you stay motivated by fostering a calm and focused mindset.

18. Declutter your workspace

A clutter-free and organized workspace can boost your motivation and productivity. Remove distractions and create an environment that promotes concentration.

19. Join a supportive community

Find groups, forums, or clubs related to your interests or goals. Being part of a community with similar aspirations can provide encouragement and a sense of belonging.

Now, how can I stay motivated?

You've learned a lot about how to regain motivation and why it's important. But you also need to know how to maintain it.

Here are some good habits to follow to sustain your motivation:

1. Choose goals that interest you

It's easier to stay motivated when you enjoy something. You can see the value in the task or the journey itself, which will serve you well down the road.

2. Develop a routine

It takes an average of 66 days for a behavior to become a habit . Staying motivated is a skill you must develop like any other. Be patient and adhere to your routine . Structuring your day will ensure that you work efficiently and stay on top of things, which, in turn, will keep the momentum going.

3. Surround yourself with a positive support network

Negativity weighs everyone down, no matter how driven, and leads to self-doubt . It drains you of motivation and makes it difficult to gain it back. Immerse yourself in an environment with people who understand and support you — it'll make all the difference. Practicing positive self-talk is another great way to boost your mental state and connect with positive people around you.

4. Find a mentor

Expanding off tip number three, mentors and coaches greatly help maintain ambition . Working with people who have been where we are and empathizing with our struggles and worries helps us feel motivated and encouraged. They can be a teacher, coworker, coach, or counselor. Providing motivation is a staple of great coaching .

Motivation is a crucial tool to bring about positive changes in our lives. At BetterUp , we believe that everyone deserves and is capable of this change. When we know ourselves better, we'll feel empowered with the decisions we make and the paths we pursue.

5. Regularly review your goals and progress

Take time to look back and see how far you've come. It'll boost your self-esteem and give you a reason to continue. Journaling is a great way to track your progress and remember how far you've come.

What will you accomplish?

Staying inspired and learning to get motivated is tricky, especially when feeling low or uncertain. It's OK if you need assistance overcoming these obstacles: that's one of the challenges BetterUp coaches are here to help you with.

People are diverse and resilient. We want you to see that within yourself. We strive to help individuals hone their focus and unlock their potential and passion.

We champion the Whole Person and know that mental health is as important as physical fitness, social connections, and career development. We want to aid you in cultivating a go-getter attitude and making wise choices to sustain your health and happiness. If you put in the effort, our coaches will be with you every step of the way.

Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

A guide for using motivation to achieve goals

How to get inspired: 15 ideas to help you reach your potential, how motivation works in the brain: exploring the science, motivation vs. inspiration: the perfect combination for success, motivation and inspiration: examples in life and work, no motivation to work: 7 tips to find motivation again, what moves you understanding motivation is your key to success, 41 tips to stay motivated even when it gets tough, how to make a daily schedule: tips and examples, similar articles, you need more than a quote to motivate a team, achieving a flow state: 7 ways to get in the zone, how to handle a lack of motivation at work, ready to be inspired here are 11 self-motivation examples, learn how to be your own best ally for reaching your goals, feeling distracted here’s how to focus on your goals, is the carrot-and-stick approach right for your team, stay connected with betterup, get our newsletter, event invites, plus product insights and research..

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How a Magician Designs Original, Mind-Blowing Tricks

Award-winning performer Joshua Jay explains how he’s able to live up to his own very high standards.

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Episode Notes

This week, guest-host Kristen Meinzer talks to Joshua Jay, a world-class magician, storyteller, and author of multiple books about the history and craft of magic. In the interview, Joshua explains how he’s able to conceive of, design, and execute original tricks. He also talks about the role of storytelling in his work, and he explains how certain narrative structures can make for better performances.

After the interview, Kristen and co-host June Thomas talk about Joshua’s high standards for his work and why they’re sometimes reluctant to “kill their darlings.”

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Joshua describes different varieties of magic. He also talks about the cliche ways magicians are often portrayed in movies.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to [email protected] or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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Slate interviews Americans about their jobs.

Kristen Meinzer is a culture critic, podcaster, and author. She hosts the podcasts  The Daily Fail , which does comedic close readings of the tabloids, and  How to Be Fine , which looks at the good and the bad of the wellness industry.

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Milwaukee voters have a lot of decisions to make Tuesday, and election officials encourage people to do their homework before going to the polls

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Polls open at 7 a.m. Tuesday for Wisconsin's spring election and 2024 presidential primary. WISN 12 News is Getting the Facts for Milwaukee voters about what's on the ballot.

Perhaps the biggest issue on the ballot is a $252 million ask for Milwaukee Public Schools.

"Voting yes for MPS absolutely is very important to me. That is my main reason for voting tomorrow," said Rhiannon, a Milwaukee voter who did not want to reveal her last name.

Election officials encourage people to do their homework before going to the polls. The executive director of the Milwaukee Election Commission explains what's up for grabs.

"All 15 Common Council seats, city attorney, city treasurer, city comptroller, and of course, the mayor is on the ballot," Claire Woodall said.

"County executive, county comptroller, county supervisor," she added, about the Milwaukee County races.

City of Milwaukee reside Alexandra Ellis talked about what she's most concerned about on the ballot.

"I would probably say my aldermanic district," she said.

Geoffrey Pearson of West Allis has a plan.

"I'm going to personally be voting more for Democrats, and that's straight down the ticket," he said.

Voters will also have to say yes or no to two questions regarding how state elections are conducted.

"The two statewide referendums are binding. They will be amending the state constitution," Woodall said.

Don't forget to bring a photo ID. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and you can register to vote at your polling place.

"Voting is the foundation of being civically engaged. It's the simplest way we can get engaged in our local community," Woodall said.

A reminder, poll workers are prohibited from answering questions about referenda. For more information about what's on the ballot, visit the 1 2 News Voter Guide .

Your Everything Guide to Landing an Internship

Our occasional series helps you make your first career moves

Amy laskowski.

During the summer after freshman year, Tabitha Fortner interned at a nonprofit and after sophomore year at a venture fund firm. Both were fine experiences, but she left knowing she didn’t want to pursue either of those fields after graduation. And that’s OK.

Last summer, Fortner (CAS’24) narrowed her focus and applied to the Liberty Mutual Insurance analyst development program. She was accepted, even though many of the other interns had more technical skills than she did. But that only upped her drive.

“My bosses said they loved how I was open and willing to learn everything,” Fortner says. “And I actually found it really helpful that Liberty has workshops on [software] programs that I had no experience in, so I took those.” Her hard work paid off. At the end of the internship, Fortner was offered a full-time position with Liberty Mutual, and she’ll start after she graduates this May. 

Internships are stepping stones to help you get the job you ultimately want. In the best-case scenario, they can even lead to a full-time job after graduation. 

“Internships are often described as test driving a career or a company,” says Noelle O’Brien , manager of internship programs at BU’s Center for Career Development (CCD). “They are short-term, so if you truly dislike a type of position or a type of company, you’re in it for three months, and then you’re out of it again. So the idea of a limited exposure can also be something that makes internships attractive.” 

Every year, the CCD polls students about their career outcomes immediately after graduation. For the Class of 2022 (the most recent year available), 69 percent reported at least one internship before graduation. And results showed that the average starting salary for participants with at least one internship was higher than that for students who did not have an internship.

There’s good news for students seeking an internship in the coming months. Employers who participated in the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Job Outlook 2023 spring survey said they expected to increase their intern hiring by 9.1 percent. 

If you’re unsure about where to start looking for an internship, we have some tips from career experts to help you get started. 

First, do your homework

Start your search by engaging in a little self-assessment. Jot down your skills and interests. Then, move on to gathering information about the industries that interest you and researching the education or skills you might need to land those internships. 

“It’s common for me to meet with students and hear that they’re open to any kind of internship,” O’Brien says. Students may think this flexibility means they’re casting a wide net, but it can actually lead to feeling overwhelmed. O’Brien says upwards of 12,000 internships are posted on Handshake , an online career management platform used by many colleges, including BU. “Students don’t need to know exactly what they want to do,” she says, “but they need to have done some research and reflection.”

Get started on that résumé

Think of your résumé (also known as a CV) as your personal sales pitch to prospective employers. To start, put together a list of your skills and experiences. Include previous jobs and volunteer experiences, clubs, leadership positions, awards, special interests, and anything else you want to brag about. For formatting and writing suggestions (remember to use strong verbs!), read this CCD guide or attend one of their in-person résumé and cover letter workshops (many of their presentations are also available on their YouTube channel ).

Once you have a draft of your résumé, upload it to VMock , a résumé review platform BU subscribes to. The AI software will give feedback and formatting suggestions. You can then edit your résumé on the platform and download the finished product. 

Sarah Garibova, CCD’s associate director of marketing and communications, says that students often think they need a really snazzy, colorful résumé, “but that’s actually not what most industries are looking for,” she says. There are BU-approved templates in VMock that students can use. 

Now begin your search

It’s never too early to start looking for an internship. Deadlines vary by industry (some financial firms have already posted their summer 2025 positions, for instance), so Garibova recommends talking to professors, upperclassmen, and CCD staff about your specific timeline.

Big-name tech companies often start summer internship recruitment in the early fall, while healthcare, arts, human services, and nonprofit organizations typically start posting summer positions in January. “For fall and spring internships, the timelines don’t hold their shape as much,” O’Brien says. “There are fewer internships during these times, and recruitment tends to happen closer to the start.” 

Attend job fairs. Look at job boards like Handshake and LinkedIn, as well as niche job boards like idealist.org, Hire Culture (creative employment in Massachusetts), and Built In (tech and data science jobs). The CCD’s website has a list of industry-specific resources and job boards. 

O’Brien notes that while companies used to post open internships, she’s now finding that students need to do a little more legwork in targeting specific companies. If you know you like a particular organization, go to its careers page and see if you can sign up for a newsletter and follow the organization on social media.

Network, network, network

“I tell students to meet people and talk to your friends, because sometimes they’ll introduce you to their old supervisor, which can lead to an internship,” O’Brien says. “Go on informational interviews. And talk to alumni.”

According to Michael Ouellette (Wheelock’08), associate director of BU’s alumni career engagement, more than 16,000 BU alums have promised to help current BU students network. The best place to find them is on BU Connects , a networking directory for BU alumni and students. Students can search for alums by industry, company, major, or location and then send them career questions. Ouellette says he’s also heard of mentoring relationships forming on the site. 

“It can be helpful if a student wants to know about a specific company,” O’Brien says. “If you want to figure out how Target does its hiring, or if Petsmart has an internal referral program, that kind of info isn’t always posted on websites.”

Tap your individual school or college’s career center, too

Some of the larger schools and colleges at BU have their own career services departments, including the Questrom School of Business, the College of Engineering, and the College of Communication. See the complete list here .

Prep for the interview

Once you land the all-important interview, the real work begins. But don’t freak out—think of the interview as a conversation about your qualifications and what the internship will entail, should you land it. Research the company, and prep for the meeting with Big Interview , a training platform used at more than 600 universities. It’s designed for all experience levels and includes interview training courses, mock interview practice sets (with thousands of interview questions and tips on answering them), and AI-powered feedback on your responses.

Are you in need of “grown-up” clothes on the big day? Check out BU’s Professional Clothing Closet , stocked with donated business and business casual clothes, bags, shoes, and accessories. Students can take and keep four items of clothing per academic year. Items are free and yours to keep. 

Money talks

While it used to be standard for many internships to be unpaid, O’Brien says that employers are increasingly feeling pressure to pay their interns and that NACE released a powerful statement that challenged employers and colleges to do away with unpaid internships. Underpaid internships, where students are paid minimum or close-to-minimum wage, unfortunately remain all too common, she says. 

Students interested in pursuing an unpaid internship may be able to find support through BU’s Yawkey Internship Program , a year-round funding program that provides a stipend for students participating in unpaid nonprofit internships. Students are also paired with a CCD staff member who acts as a resource if questions come up. The Newbury Center also provides living allowance stipends for first-generation undergraduate students participating in a summer internship or other learning opportunity.

Other resources worth checking out: the College of Arts & Sciences Experiential Learning Connector Summer Funding , which supports CAS undergraduates who will be interning in unpaid or low-paid internships in the Greater Boston area in summer 2024; the Kilachand Internship Program , which funds Kilachand students who secure a summer internship with an organization focused on justice work (social, climate, etc., as defined by the student); and the Michael T. Corgan Internship Fund , which awards a stipend to selected students for a qualified summer internship in the area of international affairs that would otherwise be unpaid.

If you play your cards right, you can leave your summer internship with a strong reference or even a full-time job. “A lot of employers agree that internship programs provide the best ROI [return on investment] in terms of recruitment,” O’Brien says. “If you have already hired someone for the internship, extending them a full-time offer doesn’t cost a whole lot more money.”

Tips from an upperclassman: Sophie Bush (Questrom’24)

Sophie Bush has had two great internships. She found her first with luxury brand Tiffany & Co.’s strategic sourcing team while researching companies that aligned with her interests and values. She was excited to draw on her passion for fashion (she has served as president of BU’s Fashion and Retail Association) and liked how the jewelry maker preaches sustainability and pledges to use recycled metals. Her second internship was with Target’s space, presentation, and transitions team, which she found by attending a career fair run by the National Retail Federation. She initially hoped for a marketing role, but those positions were full, so she applied for a spot on the data analytics team. Before accepting the job, she researched what Target’s employees say about the company’s work culture on Glassdoor. She will continue with a full-time position at Target after graduation.

Bush says her internship journey taught her the importance of being flexible and not getting too hung up on one specific position, since there may be other internships with transferable skills. “I wanted to get experience in data analytics, which I thought would be a marketing position,” she says, “but I ended up getting that experience in another position.” 

Last, she recommends finding the holes in your résumé, and then taking internships that will help fill those holes. “Have a long-term career goal,” Bush says. “Think about how your résumé fits into the story you want to tell when you ultimately look for your first job.” 

Tips from an upperclassman: Noah Greif (Questrom’24)

Over the last four years, Noah Greif has interned with marquee organizations like the Boston Celtics, the Australian Olympic Committee, and Gupta Media, which he will join full-time after Commencement in May.

His first tip for success is to research a company before the interview. “I didn’t just read a broad company overview, I read case studies of them and their clients,” says Greif, who is majoring in business administration and management. “And they said after the interview that it really impressed them that I was interested.”

His second tip is to think of all the transferable skills you have gained thus far in your college career when writing up your résumé. In Greif’s case, he worked as an activities consultant for BU’s Student Activities Office, helping to manage 450 student organizations, and BU’s Guerrilla Marketing Society , working with clients and planning their events. “I think a lot of people underestimate themselves,” he says. “Understand that you are getting things like organizational skills and communications experience from clubs and campus jobs, and include those things on your résumé. It’s all really good experience.”

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Pets and Animals | How to motivate your lazy dog to get more exercise

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Pets and animals | google to purge ‘private’ incognito mode user records, but will keep snooping, pets and animals.

By Leah Ingram | Associated Press

Fat dog memes may be all the rage on TikTok, but there is nothing funny about an overweight dog. Like humans, dogs become susceptible to a whole host of health issues if they weigh too much. And too many pups do weigh too much.

Around six in 10 dogs are overweight, so says the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. Many dogs aren’t getting enough exercise on a regular basis. In time for April’s Canine Fitness Month, here are easy ways to motivate your lazy dog to move more.

Reasons to exercise your dog on a regular basis

You probably know that dogs need walks on a daily basis. However, do you know how long or frequent those walks should be? Well, it all depends on the size, breed and health of your dog.

“A 15-minute walk once or twice a day with a two-year-old border collie probably isn’t going to be enough,” said Deborah Aronson, VMD, at the Main Line Veterinary Integrative Practice in Wynnewood, PA. She explained that border collies are high-energy dogs who need lots of exercise. On the other hand, if you have a flat-faced breed like a pug or French bulldog, you don’t want to push them to take longer walks.

These breeds, called brachycephalic breeds, have trouble breathing because of their shortened nasal passages. Even so, every dog, flat-faced or not, needs exercise. This is where your veterinarian can help. “It is important to rule out that instead of just being lazy, maybe your dog has an underlying health condition,” added Dr. Aronson.

Medical issues that mimic laziness

A dog that’s become sedentary could have something legitimately wrong with it. Also, the less active a dog becomes, the more health issues it can acquire. So, if your previously active dog hasn’t gotten the zoomies for quite some time, definitely make an appointment to see your vet.

“Dogs can become less active for a variety of reasons,” explained Michael Thompson, DVM, an animal nutrition expert and behaviorist in Austin, TX. “These include aging or underlying health issues.” Some of the most common health issues in dogs include arthritis, hypothyroidism and an undiagnosed injury.

“Unrecognized pain or discomfort can keep dogs from moving around the way that they should,” said Dr. Aronson. “A dog doesn’t always hold its paw up if there is pain.”

On the flipside, dogs that become inactive can end up developing a number of health problems just like humans do. “This includes obesity, muscle atrophy, cardiovascular issues and diabetes,” Dr. Thompson added.

How to get your dog moving again

Once you’ve ruled out medical issues or you’ve identified them so that your veterinarian can begin treating them, then it’s time to think about how to get your dog moving again. Just like a human coming back from injury, you’ll want to take it slowly.

You may even want to see a physical therapist – a canine physical therapist, that is. There is a specialty in veterinary medicine called veterinary physical rehabilitation. Basically, it’s therapy for dogs that employs treatments using an underwater treadmill, massages and passive range of motion exercises, among other modalities.

Exercise your dog with lots of walks

Back at home, walks are a great way to ease back into being active. Dr. Aronson recommends short, frequent walks on a leash for increased conditioning compared to one long walk. Start with five or 10-minute walks, two to three times a day, she advises. You can build from there.

Also, you can make the last walk of the day a family affair. That’s what Sheboygan, Wisconsin-based Sara Nelson of Real Balanced does. “Taking evening walks has been great for our Boston Terrier’s fitness and a nice way for us to spend time together as a family,” she said. “He really loves it when he gets to walk next to the stroller with the kids. Their energy seems to make the walks more fun for him, turning our nightly exercise into a little adventure.”

In addition, try to find new and different places where you can walk your pup. For example, learn which are the dog-friendly stores near you. Then, when you go shopping, you can take your four-legged family member with you. Visiting new destinations is great for their mental stimulation as well as providing extra opportunities to exercise your dog.

Level up their walks by taking them to different outdoor locales, too. For example, walking through sand on the beach or along the forest floor in the woods means they have to navigate new terrain. Doing so can build muscle strength that walking on a sidewalk can’t.

Obstacle course and games

Another idea: turn getting treats into a game that requires your dog to move more to get them. For example, rather than have your dog sit, and then receive a treat, reward the sit by sending the treat skipping across the floor. Then, your dog will have practiced their good manners, plus they will have to trot to get that treat.

Or try what Mandy Applegate of Two City Vegans in Cheltenham, England, does with her aging chihuahua called Ellie. “I hide a small treat somewhere in the house, tell her to find it, and she races around seeking it out,” Applegate said. “She loves it and it’s one of the few things that will make her run anymore.”

Final thoughts

If your dog doesn’t like to chase a ball, stick or another object, little games like these are great ways to get them moving. That’s because short bursts of energy definitely add up to being real exercise and movement for your pup.

However, you don’t want to over-exercise them either. “Always watch for signs of exhaustion,” warned Dr. Thompson, “such as heavy panting, lagging behind or reluctance to keep moving.” If you see any of these signs, it is time to end the exercise sessions and perhaps snuggle together on the couch until everyone gets their second wind.

Leah Ingram is the author of 15 books, has covered pet topics for national magazines and has rescued four dogs. She writes about dog ownership on her site Your Home Dog .

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