Books pile on top of one another, papers crinkle and pens run dry. Students’ tired eyes struggle to stay glued open as they read through endless pages of homework. This feeling of academic fatigue slowly weighs down on a person until they feel as though they are drowning and the surface is not in sight. O
Losing motivation to complete schoolwork is a crushing feeling, one which often causes an individual to feel tight in the chest and nervous about the future. However, what if there was a way to make schoolwork more appealing and engaging? If homework were to be seen in a more positive light, would students be more inclined to do it?
In a student’s junior and senior years of high school, a time with a lot of stress, it is important to take a deep breath and step back. For one, taking the time to write all of one’s assignments down is a useful tool to not only reduce stress, but also have the opportunity to make workload fun, or as fun as it can be. Planners are a visual tool which allow an individual to catalog all of the work they need to do in order to stay organized. In addition, planners can be very customizable. Many students have a yearly tradition of buying a new planner with a color scheme that they prefer. This is a way that school can become both more manageable and more fun.
“It definitely helps with organization,” Maya Gupta (’26) said. “Last year, I didn’t use a planner and it definitely made it harder for me to keep track of everything I need to do. This year, I bought a planner that I found online that was really cute, and I’m liking it a lot because it makes me feel better to keep track of everything I need to do.”
Aesthetic note taking brings this enjoyment to the classroom. Oftentimes, taking notes in class leads to messy handwriting and bad organization. Messy handwriting can lead to a lack of motivation, because while they are trying to review their material, students are simultaneously decoding cluttered notes. However, if an individual is able to take the time to create notes that are pleasing to the eyes, they will likely feel more inclined to look back to study, admiring their hard work.
“It makes me want to study them more,” Kaitlyn Coyle (’26) said. “When they look pretty, it’s easier to feel like you learned more because it’s more organized. I like color coding my notes to know what’s more important, and I like to label subcategories and bigger headings.”
Environmental factors can also contribute to a person’s productivity. According to studies conducted by Work in Mind, lighting and temperature may help to increase the productivity of an individual by 50-80%.This being the case, it is imperative that conditions are just right when trying to successfully study. This allows a person to be in the correct mindspace to successfully complete their work.
These distinct environmental factors are necessary when finding a designated study-space. Studying in these aesthetically pleasing spots are also helpful for a student to feel in a positive mental headspace. A few cozy yet effective study spots include libraries, cafes and parks. By going to these different areas to study, students are both setting themselves up for success as well as giving themselves an experience that will make them feel studious.
As schoolwork begins to pile up and motivation begins to dwindle down, it is important to consider altering habits to increase productivity. Finding ways to trick the mind into thinking that homework is an idealized experience can be a very successful method. Just remember, physical and mental organization is one of the most effective tools to complete work on time. Happy studying to everyone who chooses to participate!