Need a spark for better grades in school? Reach for the top with motivational quotes!

It’s the night before your big test. You’ve been staring down at your study notes for the past three hours.

You’re probably feeling overwhelmed and maybe you're worried that you’re going to fail. Or maybe you’re getting distracted or bored.

Either way, quitting sounds very tempting.

Did you know that there's a relationship between motivation and academic performance? Motivated people tend to put in more effort and are more willing to push through challenges, which can then help them do better in school.

Finding the right motivational quotes can give you that extra jolt to improve your academic performance.

Positive or negative, words have a big impact on people. They bring out different emotions, which can then affect how people act and behave.

Motivational quotes can help you:

• Think more positively

• Stay focused

• Feel more energized and confident

• Be resilient when you face challenges

• Remind you of your goals

A simple quote like the one from the TikTok ("Don't be upset by the results you didn't get for the work you didn't do") can do a lot to motivate you:

Now that you understand why motivational quotes are useful, it’s time to learn how to use them to help you do better in school.

This starts with looking for quotes. They can come from your favourite books/shows/movies or a simple Google search. 

Check out this list of Motivational Quotes for Students for quotes related to many different common school/study problems, like working hard to achieve your goals or overcoming procrastination.

You can also look up or follow social media accounts that focus on motivation, like MindShift or Mindset of Greatness.

Greater Significance = Greater Impact

Pick a few of your favorite motivational quotes and think about how they apply to your situation and goals. 

For example, when I was in high school, one of my teachers shared the following quote:

"By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail."

— Benjamin Franklin, American inventor & politician

Whenever there was something big and important coming up, like a test or presentation, I would remind myself of these words. It helped me feel more in control of the situation and gave me the motivation to get things done even when I really didn't want to do them.

Like mantras and positive affirmations, repetition is key. Give yourself opportunities for these motivational quotes to influence you for the better.

Be intentional.

Practice reading or saying them to yourself during difficult moments to help you find the motivation to persevere.

Be proactive.

You can also make it a habit of re-reading them at the beginning/end of the day or study session to build your confidence.

Make them visible!

The more you see them, the more you’ll read them.

Examples of how/where to display your motivational quotes:

• Posters or sticky notes of the quote in strategic places, like your desk or mirror

• Vision board

• Quotes journal

Picking a motivational quote doesn't mean you'll stick to it for the rest of your life. Just like that old favourite sweater, it's okay to outgrow things that once fit.

Take some time to think about whether you still find the quote relatable and inspiring. If it’s not, that’s your signal to switch things up and try a different quote.

Life's a journey! Your goals and feelings change over time. Or maybe the quote you chose just wasn't as motivating as you thought. Try pivoting and using another quote from your brainstorm in Step 2, or start this process again until you find one you like better.

It’s YOUR turn to follow these steps and experience the benefits of motivational quotes!