2 answers
Telissah
Student
1
Question
Asked
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How do you keep yourself motivated even on hard days?
I’m usually pretty good at keeping myself motivated but sometimes when it comes to getting work done I can struggle. Procrastinating most of the time gets the best of me but I don’t want to fall into that rabbit hole this upcoming semester. Tips on remaining focused and staying on top of everything?
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2 answers
AZIZUR RAHMAN
Technical Representative in hp and Mathematics Teacher for 7th–10th grade students.
26
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
AZIZUR’s Answer
Hey Telissah,
The trick isn’t to feel motivated 24/7. It’s to build systems so you get stuff done even when you don’t feel like it.
Especially important for pre-PT: college + observation hours + prereqs will stack up fast.
1. Shrink the barrier to starting
Procrastination loves big, vague tasks like “Study for Bio” or “Do PT shadowing hours.” Your brain sees a mountain and nopes out.
The 10-Minute Rule: Tell yourself “I’ll just do 10 minutes.” Once you start, momentum usually keeps you going. If not, you still beat zero.
Make the first step stupid-easy: Instead of “Write essay,” make the task “Open Google Doc + write the title.” Lay out your backpack, notes, and water bottle the night before so future-you has zero excuses.
Use “temptation bundling”: Pair something you have to do with something you want to do. Ex: only listen to your favorite playlist/podcast while doing anatomy flashcards.
2. Design your environment so focus is the default
Willpower is overrated. Environment wins.
Struggle
Phone rabbit hole , “I’ll do it later” , Big assignments feel overwhelming , No energy after school.
Environment fix
Study in library, phone in backpack on airplane mode. Or use Forest/AppBlock during work blocks.
Time-block your day in Google Calendar the night before. If it’s not scheduled, it doesn’t exist.
Break them into Lego blocks: “Read pages 1-5,” “Make outline,” “Find 2 sources.” Check each off.
Do hardest task first. Willpower is highest in the morning. Save easy stuff like email for 3pm slump.
3. Motivation systems for hard days
Motivation fades. Systems don’t. Try 1-2 of these this semester:
“2-Minute + 25-Minute” combo: If a task takes <2 min, do it now. For bigger stuff, use Pomodoro: 25 min focus, 5 min break. After 4 rounds, take 20-30 min. It turns “study all day” into “just do one Pomodoro.”
Weekly “CEO meeting” with yourself: Every Sunday, 15 min. Look at calendar, write top 3 priorities for the week, and schedule them. Future-you will thank you Wednesday when everything feels chaotic.
Accountability trigger: Tell a friend “I’m going to the library 6-8pm to do chem. Text me at 8:05 to check.” Or use StudyWithMe live streams. Social pressure beats internal pep talks.
“Done list” not just to-do list: At night, jot 3 things you finished. On hard days, seeing proof you did stuff keeps the spiral away.
4. PT-school specific tips
Since you’re heading toward DPT, these help with both grades and hours:
Batch observation hours early: Don’t wait until applications. Schedule 4 hrs every other Friday now. Future-you won’t be scrambling senior year.
Active recall > re-reading: For A&P, use Anki or whiteboard recall instead of passively highlighting. 30 min of this beats 2 hours of “studying.”
Link school to the goal: When chem sucks, remind yourself “I need this to understand pharmacology so I can help a patient walk again.” Purpose is jet fuel on low-motivation days.
5. When you do procrastinate — damage control
You will slip. The game is to shorten the slip, not be perfect.
The “next action” reset: Don’t think “I wasted 3 hours.” Think “What’s the one next physical action?” Open the doc. Email the clinic. One step kills the shame spiral.
Forgiveness effect: Research shows students who forgive themselves for procrastinating actually procrastinate less next time. Beat yourself up = more avoidance. So: “Okay, that happened. Next move.”
Try this for week 1 of next semester: Pick just one system — I’d suggest time-blocking + 10-minute rule. Master it before adding more.
The trick isn’t to feel motivated 24/7. It’s to build systems so you get stuff done even when you don’t feel like it.
Especially important for pre-PT: college + observation hours + prereqs will stack up fast.
1. Shrink the barrier to starting
Procrastination loves big, vague tasks like “Study for Bio” or “Do PT shadowing hours.” Your brain sees a mountain and nopes out.
The 10-Minute Rule: Tell yourself “I’ll just do 10 minutes.” Once you start, momentum usually keeps you going. If not, you still beat zero.
Make the first step stupid-easy: Instead of “Write essay,” make the task “Open Google Doc + write the title.” Lay out your backpack, notes, and water bottle the night before so future-you has zero excuses.
Use “temptation bundling”: Pair something you have to do with something you want to do. Ex: only listen to your favorite playlist/podcast while doing anatomy flashcards.
2. Design your environment so focus is the default
Willpower is overrated. Environment wins.
Struggle
Phone rabbit hole , “I’ll do it later” , Big assignments feel overwhelming , No energy after school.
Environment fix
Study in library, phone in backpack on airplane mode. Or use Forest/AppBlock during work blocks.
Time-block your day in Google Calendar the night before. If it’s not scheduled, it doesn’t exist.
Break them into Lego blocks: “Read pages 1-5,” “Make outline,” “Find 2 sources.” Check each off.
Do hardest task first. Willpower is highest in the morning. Save easy stuff like email for 3pm slump.
3. Motivation systems for hard days
Motivation fades. Systems don’t. Try 1-2 of these this semester:
“2-Minute + 25-Minute” combo: If a task takes <2 min, do it now. For bigger stuff, use Pomodoro: 25 min focus, 5 min break. After 4 rounds, take 20-30 min. It turns “study all day” into “just do one Pomodoro.”
Weekly “CEO meeting” with yourself: Every Sunday, 15 min. Look at calendar, write top 3 priorities for the week, and schedule them. Future-you will thank you Wednesday when everything feels chaotic.
Accountability trigger: Tell a friend “I’m going to the library 6-8pm to do chem. Text me at 8:05 to check.” Or use StudyWithMe live streams. Social pressure beats internal pep talks.
“Done list” not just to-do list: At night, jot 3 things you finished. On hard days, seeing proof you did stuff keeps the spiral away.
4. PT-school specific tips
Since you’re heading toward DPT, these help with both grades and hours:
Batch observation hours early: Don’t wait until applications. Schedule 4 hrs every other Friday now. Future-you won’t be scrambling senior year.
Active recall > re-reading: For A&P, use Anki or whiteboard recall instead of passively highlighting. 30 min of this beats 2 hours of “studying.”
Link school to the goal: When chem sucks, remind yourself “I need this to understand pharmacology so I can help a patient walk again.” Purpose is jet fuel on low-motivation days.
5. When you do procrastinate — damage control
You will slip. The game is to shorten the slip, not be perfect.
The “next action” reset: Don’t think “I wasted 3 hours.” Think “What’s the one next physical action?” Open the doc. Email the clinic. One step kills the shame spiral.
Forgiveness effect: Research shows students who forgive themselves for procrastinating actually procrastinate less next time. Beat yourself up = more avoidance. So: “Okay, that happened. Next move.”
Try this for week 1 of next semester: Pick just one system — I’d suggest time-blocking + 10-minute rule. Master it before adding more.
Rebecca Tang
Banking
2634
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. Firstly, you need to find a time management tool to help, e.g. Google Calendar, MS Outlook, Phone Calendar, etc.
Below are my suggestions :
1. Put down the time you need to attend classes
2. Assign some time every time on your assignments and projects. Review the material covered in the class of the day. If you have any question, ask the teacher on the next school day
3. Make sure you have enough time to sleep and do some exercise
4. Allocate some time on the weekends for leisure and friend & family gathering
5. Start doing the revision early before assessment
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Below are my suggestions :
1. Put down the time you need to attend classes
2. Assign some time every time on your assignments and projects. Review the material covered in the class of the day. If you have any question, ask the teacher on the next school day
3. Make sure you have enough time to sleep and do some exercise
4. Allocate some time on the weekends for leisure and friend & family gathering
5. Start doing the revision early before assessment
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Loved reading this, thanks!
Telissah