Are you looking for ways to motivate students to use their study time wisely? If so, keep reading.

1. Make sure the learner achieves success when following instructions.

2. Make sure the learner has tasks to work on during study time.

3. Make sure the learner knows the logical consequences of failing to finish tasks during study time (e.g., students who do not finish their work will not be allowed to do more desirable learning activities ).

4. Get the learner to time their tasks to monitor personal behavior and accept time limits.

5. Give an incentive statement along with an instruction (e.g., “If you make appropriate use of study time, you may have free time.”).

6. Organize time units so the learner knows how much time is available to work and when work should be finished.

7. Give study guides with questions presented in sequential order to enable attention to the reading content presented in the learner’s content area textbooks (e.g., American history, biology, health, etc.).

8. Praise the learner for trying and finishing tasks based on the amount of work the learner successfully finishes. As the learner shows success, slowly increase the amount of work required for reinforcement.

9. Give the learner more than enough time to finish a learning experience. As the learner shows success, slowly decrease the amount of time given to finish a learning experience.

10. Complete a few problems of the task with the learner to serve as a model and help the learner begin a task prior to independent study time.

11. Give the learner shorter tasks given more regularly.

12. Give the learner step-by-step written instructions for doing tasks during study time.

13. Give the learner the chance to perform tasks/learning activities in an assortment of ways (e.g., on tape, with a calculator, orally, etc.).

14. Minimize the number of instructions in each step (e.g., give the learner each additional step after the conclusion of the prior step).

15. Minimize distracting stimuli (e.g., place the learner in the front row, give a table or quiet space away from distractions). Use this as a way to reduce distractions, never as a punishment.

16. Minimize the emphasis on early conclusion. Hurrying to finish tasks may cause the learner to fail to follow instructions.

17. Give clearly stated instructions in written or oral form (i.e., make the instructions as simple and concrete as possible).

18. Praise the learner for trying and finishing class tasks during study time: (a) give the learner a concrete reward (e.g., privileges such as leading the line, handing out learning materials, 10 minutes of free time, etc.) or (b) give the learner an informal reward (e.g., praise, handshake, smile, etc.).

19. Praise the learner for beginning, staying on, and finishing tasks during study time.

20. Show one task at a time. As each task is finished, deliver reinforcement along with the presentation of the next task.

21. Consider using assistive technology designed to help students to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder to concentrate. Click here to view list of assistive technology apps that we recommend.