How to Stay Motivated During School

While intelligence is important, studies show that sustained motivation and optimism are even more critical for performing well in exams. The IB is a demanding programme, and maintaining a positive mindset helps students persevere through challenges and achieve their full potential.

Key strategies include setting clear, realistic goals, rewarding yourself for achieving milestones, switching tasks to avoid burnout, seeking help from parents, teachers, or friends, and using visual reminders of your long-term aspirations, like your dream university.

Setting specific, written goals helps you clarify your objectives and reminds you of the 'why' behind your efforts. Breaking down large tasks into smaller, manageable goals makes the journey less daunting and provides a sense of accomplishment as you tick them off.

Absolutely! Rewarding yourself is a powerful motivator. The key is to only give yourself the treat *after* you've achieved your goal. This positive reinforcement strengthens the habit of productive study and makes the process more enjoyable.

If you find yourself feeling bored, procrastinating, or about to give up on a particular task, switching to a different subject or type of activity can refresh your brain. This "change is as good as a rest" approach can help you maintain focus without completely disengaging from studying.

Build a strong support network! Parents can listen and help you articulate concepts, teachers can clarify difficult topics and exam techniques, and friends can provide peer support during study sessions. Even visual reminders of your aspirations can provide a boost.

Lanterna's expert tutors and Student Success Experts understand the unique demands of the IB. We can help you set realistic goals, develop effective study plans, overcome academic hurdles, and provide personalised guidance to keep you engaged and on track, ensuring you maintain motivation throughout your programme.

The Lanterna IB consultation is a free, no-pressure 20-30 minute session with an IB Student Success Expert. It's designed to help you clarify your current situation, identify areas where motivation might be lacking, and walk away with a personalised plan and clear priorities for your IB journey, without any obligation to book tutoring.

Yes, the consultation is completely free. During the 20-30 minute session, you'll speak with an experienced Student Success Expert who will listen to your concerns, offer insights into IB challenges, and help you create a simple, actionable plan to improve your study habits and motivation. There's zero obligation to purchase tutoring afterwards.

Our Student Success Experts are highly experienced professionals with deep knowledge of the IB Diploma Programme. They act as mentors, helping students and parents navigate the IB, set achievable goals, and develop strategies to overcome academic and motivational challenges. They provide clarity and confidence, drawing on years of experience supporting thousands of IB students.

Absolutely. Our 600+ IB tutors, including 40+ point graduates, experienced teachers, and examiners, cover all IB subjects at both SL and HL. If a lack of understanding or difficulty in a specific subject is impacting your motivation, a Lanterna tutor can provide targeted support to build confidence and re-ignite your interest.