As much as we don’t want to accept the truth, we are already experiencing the first exam period of the new calendar year and the winter holidays are long gone. After a few weeks of fun and cosiness, lots of great food and nothing to do, the undeniable truth is that January is nearly halfway through and there is an urgent need to find some studying motivation! This shift back to the habit of handing in assignments and writing essays might be rather sudden for some and that is why, in today’s blog, we are looking into how to hype yourself up to study again after a long break. After all, 2025 is going to be your year, right?

Start with setting smaller, achievable goals

One small step for the student, one giant leap for your academic success. We all know that starting is always the most difficult part but once you start, there is nothing that can stop you. Try making a general overview of everything that you need to focus on. Yes, this might feel a little bit overwhelming at first but don’t fret! Seeing how much work you actually need to do can aid you in making a small but achievable plan for action. Instead of saying, "I have to study for 4 hours," break it down into smaller chunks like, "I’ll read one page" or "I’ll do one practice problem." By achieving these tiny wins, you’ll get a feeling of control and the studying wheels will start turning in no time.

Create the ultimate power study playlist

Music can transform your mood from “I’d rather nap…” to “I’m going to conquer the world!”. Pick your power anthem songs (even if they’re the cheesiest pop hits or most dramatic movie soundtracks) and get ready to feel like the ultimate studying hero. Think The Avengers theme, Star Wars, or The Lion King soundtrack. It’s like you're the protagonist of an action movie where the goal is to defeat procrastination. Bonus points if you’re working to Eye of the Tiger — it's basically impossible to not feel the motivation flowing when that’s playing. Just make sure the studying playlist doesn't turn your session into a 3-hour dance party instead.

Reward yourself like a champ

What could be a better motivation to fulfil your tasks if not a small “treat yourself” at the end? Tell yourself that after hitting your study goal, you get a small reward. That could be a delicious snack, a short break to watch a hilarious TikTok video or even a victory dance in your room. Find something that makes you feel like a champion after every small win!

Embrace the power of a ‘Study Buddy’

Whether it’s a friend you can text for accountability or you are part of a study group chat, sharing your goals with others will give you the extra motivation. You’ll feel less alone in the struggle and not only you will be able to share what you are finding challenging but you will have the chance to learn from each other and like that expand your knowledge in a much easier manner. Not to mention that having a study buddy will allow you to practice the Feynman study technique which helps you learn the materials better once you explain them to someone else.

Visualise your future success

Think about the moment in which you will be done with the assignment, the essay or the exam and how proud you will be for what you have achieved! Visualise how the effort you have put into everything pays off and you are rewarded with a high grade.

Getting back to the habit of studying might be tough, especially after a longer break but maintaining a steady pace can lead to a quick and smooth return to the study routine. Once you start, however, there is nothing that can stop you from reaching all your goals! We wish everyone the best of luck with the exam season!