Build rewards into your study schedule

Do the work, then treat yo’self.

If you’re already smashing through your very, very organised study plan, you’re probably not reading this. On the other paw, if you’re already feeling overwhelmed about all the exams and marks ahead of you, there’s a fair chance you’re putting things off too much.

Get back on track with some rewards

The ideal situation is that you power through an hour of work, then get a 20-minute reward. This is going to be a personal thing, but if – say – you’re obsessed with the deck-building game Star Realms, your reward could be 20 minutes of play.

On the other hand, if you can’t get enough Aggretsuko, your reward might be one episode. Then back to it!

Find someone else to keep you working

If you struggle to stay on target yourself, see if there’s someone else around who’ll keep you honest. It might be a parent or a friend who’s also trying to get their study schedule happening. Show or tell them what you’re doing, and ask them to check up on you to make sure you’re sticking to your plans. For extra hardcore points, give that person your phone or the Netflix password until you can prove you’ve done your hour.

Mix up your rewards

Eventually you’re going to run out of episodes or get sick of blasting other people’s spaceships into oblivion, so keep your eye out for other little treats you can trick yourself into studying with. Maybe you’ve got a packet of Tim-Tams or a basketball hoop outside that needs your attention. Perhaps there’s a particular celeb’s Insta feed you’re addicted to scrolling, or a friend you love chatting to. Maybe you’re addicted to cat naps.

Or maybe there’s a FOREST OF CUTE LITTLE TREES YOU DON’T WANT TO KILL.

You’ll think of something.