Rewards can be a powerful motivator! Whenever you accomplish a goal—even a little one—take a moment to reward yourself. Your rewards don’t have to be anything elaborate or fancy. It could be something as simple as watching a funny 5-minute video after completing a short reading assignment. Give yourself bigger rewards for bigger accomplishments. For example, you might go out for pizza with a friend after handing in an important paper. You don’t have to save all the rewards for when you’re done working. Sometimes it can help to give your mood a lift before you get down to a task. Take a few minutes to enjoy a favorite snack or check your social media. Just make sure you limit yourself to a specific amount of time (like 10 minutes, for example) so that you don’t end up getting totally distracted and wasting a few hours. Working with a friend can make homework more enjoyable. You and your buddy can also help keep each other on track. Make sure you choose a friend who is serious about getting their work done so that you don’t end up goofing off and distracting each other.  Doing homework with a friend doesn’t necessarily mean collaborating on the same assignments. You can just spend time together while you each do your own work. Check with your teacher first before working together with a friend on an assignment. They may want you to do the work by yourself. Some people work best when they first get up in the morning, whereas others feel more energized in the late afternoon or evening. You might also find that some study environments work better for you than others. Experiment to figure out what works best for you.  For example, if you’re a morning person, try doing your homework right after you eat breakfast. If you tend to get distracted while working at your desk at home, experiment with doing your homework in the library or a coffee shop instead. Some people also find it helpful to change their routine from time to time. If you find yourself getting bored, try working at a different time from usual or finding a new study space. Setting specific goals can help you stay motivated and make your work feel more manageable. To get the most from your goals, make them Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART). Write down your goals and be sure to celebrate whenever you achieve one, no matter how small! Setting vague goals can lead to frustration. Instead of saying, “I’m going to get all my homework done this week,” try something more specific—e.g., “I’m going to work on my English essay for 1 hour every day this week.” Even if you’re not that excited about the classes you’re taking right now, looking at the big picture and setting some personal goals for yourself can help. Think about the ways that doing well in school will help you in the long run.  For example, maybe you want to get good grades so you can get into your dream college, or possibly you’re working towards an exciting career. Doing a good job in your classes can also be its own reward—knowing that you worked hard and did your best is a great self-esteem booster!
Reward yourself when you meet a homework goal. Treat yourself before you start working, too. Work with a motivated study buddy. Determine when and where you work best. Set some SMART homework goals. Remind yourself of why you’re in school in the first place.