I feel so unmotivated to revise and lose concentration quickly. Do you have any recommendations to increase motivation?

Asked by Anonymous on our Parent Webinar Series.

Let’s face it – revision can be a tough and boring task, making it hard to stay motivated and concentrate. But don’t worry, you’re not alone, and there are simple strategies to help you stay on track and make the most of your study time.

Here are some actionable tips to boost your motivation and improve your concentration during revision sessions:

1. Set Clear, Achievable Goals to Increase Motivation

Think of an Olympic swimmer training for the Games. They spend hours in the pool at 5 a.m., staring at the black line beneath them—not because it’s "fun", but because they have a goal: to compete or win a medal. The same principle applies to your study. What will drive you to sit down and tackle the tough work is having a clear goal. Our first tip is to make your goal visible. Write down your desired university, the degree you want to pursue, and your ATAR requirements. Better yet, post photos of the university and the career you want. Whenever you sit down to revise, take a moment to look at these goals and remind yourself why you're putting in the effort. It may not make the work fun, but it will fuel your motivation and help you get started.

2. Get Your Blood Pumping

Once you’ve set your goal, it’s time to get moving. Before you sit down to study, put on some upbeat music and get active for 60 seconds. Dance, run, do push-ups, or sing—anything that gets your heart rate up. This boosts your energy and helps improve focus. Think about how your body feels when you're engaged—sitting up straight, leaning in, staying still. But when you're bored, you tend to slouch or lie down. If you notice yourself slipping into a distracted posture, hit play again and move for another 60 seconds. Keeping your body active helps keep your mind focused.

3. Set Time Limits for Revision Sessions

One of the main reasons we struggle to stay focused is because we set ourselves unrealistic, long revision sessions. Instead of aiming for hours of continuous study, set a time limit of 45-60 minutes for each revision block. Having a clear endpoint makes it easier to stay on task, knowing that there’s a break coming soon. It also helps you avoid the mental burnout of endless study, keeping your focus sharp for shorter bursts of productive revision.

4. Practice and Build Your Focus Over Time

Concentration is like a muscle – the more you practice, the better you get. Don’t be discouraged if you can only focus for 30 minutes or so at the start. With time and consistent effort, your ability to focus will improve. As you build up your concentration stamina, you’ll find that you can study for longer sessions without losing focus. Treat each session as a workout for your brain, helping you develop your study muscle over time.

For more expert advice on increasing motivation, check out our Motivation Crash Course.