Because our brains are wired to pursue instant gratification, many of us get easily distracted by what’s most interesting in the moment; we’ll play video games, binge watch television, or spend hours on social media. If panic before the deadline is your only motivator, you may want to try the strategies below.

Set the bar low with 10-15 minute sessions

The more likely you are to complete a task, the more likely you will commit to it. Build off the feeling of satisfaction to embed studying into a daily routine.

Create deadlines for yourself

Schedule checkpoints to progressively complete the tasks associated with the project, paper, or assignment. For more specifics, see our page on Time Management.

Make yourself accountable

Schedule a meeting with a professor, join a study group, or book an appointment with a Learning Strategist in SLS. A sense of accountability can motivate you to stay on track with deadlines and assignments.

More resources: If you find you're still giving in to distractions to avoid starting something, check out our page on Successful Online Learning.

Perfectionism can breed procrastination. If you find yourself spending too much time on a single sentence or not being able to start at all, you may be self sabotaging. Often, fear of failure causes undue judgement of ourselves and/or our work, in turn, reinforcing mental blockages. Try the strategies below.

Break the project down into smaller, manageable pieces

Successfully crossing off an item on a to-do list or completing a small portion of an assignment can help boost your confidence.

Eliminate the mental resistance that occurs when we harshly judge our initial attempts

Allow yourself to freely produce half-formed ideas, follow unrefined concepts or create incomplete sentences. It’s far easier to fix an imperfect mess than to start from scratch.

Decision fatigue occurs when we are emotionally exhausted. This could be due to feeling uninterested and discouraged or taking on more (school, work, volunteerism) than we can handle. Here are some strategies.

Create enjoyment

In every initiative, whether creative or educational, there will be tasks we don’t enjoy. What can you add to your work to help you commit and stay engaged? A snack or drink? A study buddy? Music? A comfortable location?

Take on a reasonable workload

What are the demands on your time and energy? What is necessary? What can be delegated? What can be deferred? Use an urgent/important matrix to help you determine priorities and focus your time and energy.

Remember: Compromise is a strategy, not a failure.

If you’re still having trouble getting motivated, make sure to book an appointment with a Learning Strategist who can help you break down your workload and produce a schedule that works for you!

Feeling inadequately prepared to meet university standards is one of the biggest hurdles any student can face. The majority of us struggle, at one time or another, with imposter syndrome: that is, feeling we are not good enough, smart enough, or even dedicated enough to succeed. It’s easy to concentrate on what we view as shortcomings and overlook our virtues. A lack of familiarity with “basic” tasks, finding journal articles, referencing, or developing a study plan, can cause anxiety and trigger imposter syndrome. If you feel you suffer from this, try these strategies.

Reach out for support

Asking for help from your professor and/or booking an appointment with a Learning Strategist or a Librarian can save you time and provide you with a solid foundation, lessening your anxiety and increasing your confidence.

Access reliable online resources

Ask your instructor for their recommendations for discipline-specific websites. You can also use the MRU Referencing Guides, Library Subject Guides, the SLS Math help page, and the Library chat box. There are also unofficial online materials (on Youtube, Wikipedia, etc.) that could provide a broad overview of a topic; however, use discretion when accessing these sites, as they may provide only partial or even wrong information.