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Ways to Keep the Motivation to Finish Your Term Papers 

Written by CB Community

The post was developed in partnership with BetterHelp.

You likely don’t enjoy writing term papers, but it is probably something that needs to be done.

While you don’t have to enjoy the work, there are ways to help you stay motivated to finish those term papers, even when you feel like you want to give up.

Here’s a look at a few ways to stay motivated to keep writing:

What is Motivation?

According to BetterHelp, motivation is the work and perseverance an individual puts into meeting their goals or finishing a task.

If a person is motivated, this means that they will do everything they can to complete a project.

Staying Motivated

There are a number of ways that you can stay motivated to work on your term papers.

Break Down Tasks

When it comes to having the motivation to keep writing term papers, the first step you may want to take is to determine everything that needs to be done and when.

You can put these details in your calendar or write them on paper. After you have a list, you should begin to break these tasks down into smaller, more manageable steps.

For example, if you have to write a 40-page paper for a class, you should consider writing it 5 pages at a time. If you concentrate on smaller jobs, it may be less overwhelming.

In some cases, it could help to start with the paper you are dreading the most first. This might cause the other papers to seem easier to write.

Take a Few Minutes

There will likely be times when you need a break. Don’t hesitate to take a few minutes to yourself when you must.

You can simply close your eyes for a moment or walk away from your desk. Just be sure that you come back ready to work and don’t get sidetracked.

It is also better if you only take a break if you are not being productive. Instead, get up and walk around when you are having trouble getting your thoughts on the paper.

Limit Distractions

You may be able to work better when you have fewer distractions as well.

If it is possible, try to keep your phone away from you, so you won’t feel compelled to look at it many times when you should be working.

You can tell your friends ahead of time that you will be writing term papers, so they will know that you are safe, and you need a little bit of time to yourself.

It may also be helpful to make sure that you have food and drink nearby, so you won’t have to go far when you get hungry or thirsty.

Additionally, you might want to keep your room quiet with no television or music playing. However, if this ends up being too quiet, playing classical music might have a positive effect.

Get Help When Needed

If you are lost or need advice on how to complete a task, stay motivated, or on your term papers in general, you may want to ask a classmate, friend, or teacher for advice.

Talking to someone you trust could be able to help you understand an assignment.

Also, your friends may be able to advise you on ways that they stay motivated that you might not have considered.

Celebrate Success

Once you have completed your papers, this is something you should celebrate. Go out with a friend or buy yourself something that you have been wanting.

It is okay to treat yourself when you do a good job on an assignment and work hard to complete a goal.

Overview

Keeping your motivation when you have to complete term papers can be difficult, but it isn’t impossible to accomplish.

Do your best to make tasks small enough that they don’t cause you anxiety, take breaks, and limit distractions.

You should also ask for help when you need it. All of these things can help you get those papers written on time.

About the author

CB Community

Passionate members of the College Basics community that include students, essay writers, consultants and beyond. Please note, while community content has passed our editorial guidelines, we do not endorse any product or service contained in these articles which may also include links for which College Basics is compensated.