Home > Blog > How to stay motivated when studying accounting online
How to stay motivated when studying accounting online
Studying for an accounting qualification online gives you a lot of flexibility. You can fit your studies around work, family, social plans, and everything else life throws at you.
But that flexibility can come with a downside: when you’re tired after a long day at work, finding the motivation to open your study materials can be easier said than done.
And if you’re studying towards a qualification over several months or even years, there will probably be times when your motivation dips. That’s completely normal. The trick isn’t to feel motivated every time you study. It’s to find ways to keep moving forward when you don’t.
Here are some practical ways to stay on track with your accounting studies, even when your enthusiasm is running a little low.
Start with a goal that matters to you
Before you worry about study timetables and revision techniques, think about why you’re studying in the first place.
Maybe you want to progress in your current career. Perhaps you’re aiming for a promotion, looking to move into a new area of finance, or working towards becoming a qualified accountant. Or maybe you simply want to prove to yourself that you can do it.
Whatever your reason, keep it somewhere you’ll see it regularly. When studying starts to feel like a chore, reminding yourself what you’re working towards can make it easier to get started.
It can also help to think beyond the qualification itself. Instead of focusing on “I have another exam to pass”, think about what passing that exam will help you achieve.
Break the qualification into smaller goals
Looking at an entire accounting qualification can feel overwhelming. There may be multiple exams, lots of topics to learn, and a seemingly endless number of practice questions.
You don’t have to tackle all of that at once.
Break your studies down into smaller, achievable goals. You could set yourself a target for each week, such as:
- Complete two study modules
- Work through a particular topic
- Spend an hour practising questions
- Review what you studied during the week
- Complete a mock exam or assessment
Smaller goals give you something specific to work towards, and ticking them off gives you a sense of progress.
And remember, your weekly target doesn’t have to be huge. Consistently doing a little is often more useful than planning an ambitious study session that you never quite get around to.
Accept that some days will be harder than others
There will be days when you’re tired, distracted, or simply not in the mood to study. That doesn’t mean you’ve lost your motivation or that you’re not cut out for your qualification.
Sometimes, you just need to adjust your expectations.
If you planned to study for three hours but have had a particularly long day, could you manage 30 minutes instead? If you can’t face tackling a new topic, could you review something you’ve already covered or answer a few practice questions?
Doing something is often better than doing nothing.
You might also find that once you get started, you feel more motivated than you expected. Getting over the hurdle of actually sitting down to study can be the hardest part.
Find a study routine that works for you
Online study gives you flexibility, so make that work in your favour.
You might prefer studying for an hour before work, while the house is quiet. Or perhaps evenings and weekends suit you better. There’s no single routine that works for everyone.
Try different approaches until you find something realistic for your life.
It can help to put study time in your calendar, just as you would any other commitment. That way, you don’t have to make the decision about whether to study every single day.
And be realistic. If you know you’re unlikely to spend four hours studying after a full day at work, don’t build your entire study plan around doing exactly that.
A routine you can stick to is much more valuable than a perfect routine you abandon after two weeks.
Don’t study on your own
One of the challenges of online study is that it can sometimes feel like you’re doing everything by yourself. But studying online doesn’t have to mean studying alone.
Make use of the support available to you. Online tutors can help when you’re stuck on a difficult topic, while study communities can give you the chance to connect with other people working towards similar goals.
Even something as simple as knowing that other people are working towards the same exam can make studying feel less isolating.
And don’t be afraid to ask questions. You’re not expected to understand everything immediately. Getting help when you need it can save you time and stop a small problem from becoming a much bigger one.
Keep track of your progress
When you’re in the middle of studying, it’s easy to focus on how much you still have left to do.
Try looking back instead.
Keep a record of the topics you’ve completed, the practice questions you’ve answered, or the study milestones you’ve reached. Seeing how far you’ve come can give you a useful reminder that you are making progress.
It’s particularly helpful when you’re having one of those days where it feels like you’re getting nowhere.
You might not feel as though you’re making progress every day, but that doesn’t mean progress isn’t happening.
Mix things up when you hit a slump
If your usual study routine has started to feel stale, change it.
Try studying somewhere different, switching between reading and practice questions, or setting yourself a different type of task. If you normally study alone, see whether joining a study group helps.
You could also revisit your goals and study plan. Is there something you can change to make your workload feel more manageable?
Sometimes, losing motivation is a sign that you need a short break or a different approach, rather than a sign that you need to work harder.
Remember why you started
Studying for an accounting qualification takes commitment, particularly when you’re balancing it with work and everything else going on in your life.
You won’t feel motivated every day. You probably won’t love every topic. And there will almost certainly be moments when you wonder why you decided to do this in the first place.
That’s all part of the process.
Focus on making steady progress rather than expecting yourself to be perfectly motivated all the time. Set manageable goals, build a routine that fits your life, make use of the support around you, and recognise the progress you’re making along the way.
Because you don’t need to feel motivated every time you sit down to study. Sometimes, you just need to start, and let the motivation follow.
Take the next step towards your accounting qualification
Ready to turn your study goals into progress? Find out how Eagle can support you throughout your accounting studies.