Part of becoming strategic is tuning in and learning more about your study habits and what works best to keep the motivation going. Let's face it... studying can be the last thing we want to do after getting through a week of work, school, kids, and whatever responsibilities are on your plate. Read on to figure out how to stay motivated in studying for the praxis... and think about if you are influenced more by intrinsic motivators or extrinsic motivators.
10 ways to boost your study motivation: 1. PAIR IT: Pair studying with something you enjoy — sipping coffee, soaking in the tub, running on the treadmill… This way you have something other than studying to look forward to! 2. NEW MENU TREATS — Real talk: I used to get a new tea and pastry every time I went to the coffee house on a Friday night to study, because, let’s face it… no one wants to study on a Friday night. The little treat persuaded me enough to pack up my books and head into the coffee shop every Friday night. 3. SUPPLIES: Treat yourself to some new supplies. Get that nice pen and special notebook. This is a low cost investment for a big outcome. Spoiler: Hand writing needs to be a big part of your studying. It helps to retain information; it's a proven fact! 4. ENVIRONMENT: Change up the environment… What space puts you in the right mindset for focusing? Can you get things done in your house, or should you hit up the library? Maybe it's incorporating a scent into your space… Lemon and rosemary were two scents that helped my focus and mental stability! 5. DOODLE: Tap into your creative side and doodle in those margins... Small minute breaks! For every hour you study, take a five minute doodle break. Or every two hours, take a ten minute break. Screen-free breaks to help replenish! 6. PLAN: You'll feel organized and accountable when you create a study plan. Dividing studying into smaller, achievable study steps will naturally have a positive affect on your behavior and influence you to keep moving forward in your study plan. There's no better feeling than scratching that study step off the list...check! 7. SLEEP: Get sleep! You can’t spell sleep without SLP. Sleep is the brain’s resource for processing and storing information. While we're at it, take rest days, too. Your study plan needs break days. Fill up that R&R cup! 8. PERSONAL INTERESTS: (cue the intrinsic motivators) When you find yourself dragging your feet, choose a subject area that interests you. The only "bad" studying is the studying that doesn't happen. 9. TIME: Think of the long-term investment here. If you don't give it your best, honest effort, you risk having to invest more time, more money and more energy in continued testing attempts. 10. PERSONAL GOAL: Here's your chance to go back to those subject areas that stumped you in grad school, dive deeper and develop your understanding. You'll come out of this more well-rounded and may even discover an area of the field you want to reconnect with! >>> So, what motivates you more: extrinsic motivators like new pens and coffee treats, or intrinsic motivators like personal investment and interests? |
AuthorSLPbrenna here!...developer and instructor of SLP Praxis Test Prep. Creating interactive and engaging resources for SLPs preparing for the praxis. Become strategic, develop a plan and improve your approach to the praxis! Archives
December 2022
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