How to Study When You Are Feeling Depressed or Unmotivated
We have all been there. You have a MTH 101 exam or WAEC Chemistry coming up in two weeks. You know you should be reading. Your textbook is open on the table, staring at you. But you are just lying on your bed, scrolling through TikTok or staring at the ceiling fan, feeling absolutely empty.
It feels like there is a heavy weight on your chest. The motivation is gone, and even opening a book feels like lifting a bag of cement.
If this is you, don’t beat yourself up. Learning how to study when you are feeling depressed or unmotivated is a skill that many Nigerian students struggle with but rarely talk about. It’s hard to explain to your parents that you aren’t just “lazy,” but that your brain literally refuses to cooperate.
Whether it’s the stress of an ASUU strike, personal issues, or just overwhelming burnout, here is how you can still get some work done without breaking down.
First Things First: Is It Burnout or Something Else?
Before we dive into the tactics, let’s be real. There is a difference between being tired and being depressed. If you have been feeling hopeless, empty, or unable to sleep for weeks, this might be more than just “exam fever.” As we often say in our debates, health is better than wealth, and that includes your mental health. Please speak to a school counselor or a trusted adult if it feels too heavy.
But if you are just in a funk and need to pass that test, let’s look at how to move forward.
Strategy 1: The “Two-Minute” Trick (How to Trick Your Brain)
The hardest part of studying isn’t the reading; it is the starting.
When you look at a whole textbook, your brain screams, “No! That is too much work!” So, lie to your brain. Tell yourself, “I will just read for two minutes. Just one definition. After that, I can stop.”
Most of the time, once you start, the friction disappears. You might end up reading for 20 minutes. But even if you only do two minutes, that is still better than zero. This is a crucial part of building effective study habits—starting small is always better than not starting at all.
Strategy 2: Switch to “Low-Energy” Study Modes
You don’t always have to sit at a desk with a highlighter and solve complex calculation problems. That requires “high energy.” When you are feeling down, your energy is low.
Match your study method to your energy level.
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Watch a Video: Go on YouTube. Search for the topic. Lie on your bed and just watch. Channels like Khan Academy or local Nigerian tutors break things down simply.
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Listen to Audio: Record yourself reading your notes when you have energy, then just listen to the recording when you feel down.
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Discuss with a Friend: Sometimes, just gisting about the topic with a coursemate helps.
This is “passive studying.” It’s not as perfect as deep work, but on bad days, it keeps the engine running.
Strategy 3: Change Your Environment (Escape the Bedroom)
Your room is where you sleep. If you are depressed, your bed is like a magnet. It calls you.
You need to break that association. Pack your bag and leave. Go to the school library, a quiet empty classroom, or even a friend’s house (a serious friend, not the one that will distract you).
I remember during my university days, my hostel room was too noisy and depressing. Moving to a different location forced my brain to switch into “work mode.” We discussed how environment affects learning in our guide on boarding school vs day school, and the same logic applies here. A change of scenery can reset your mood.
Strategy 4: The “Bare Minimum” Syllabus Strategy
When you are unmotivated, you cannot cover everything. If you try to read the whole syllabus, you will panic and quit.
Be strategic. Look at the WAEC or JAMB syllabus (or your course outline). Ask yourself: “What are the 3 topics that always come out?”
Focus only on those. Forget the rest for now.
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If you are studying Biology, maybe just focus on Genetics and Ecology today.
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If it’s Government, just read up on the 1999 Constitution.
By narrowing your focus, the mountain looks smaller. This is a key technique we recommend when you need to prepare for an exam in a short time. It’s not about knowing everything; it’s about knowing enough to pass.
Final Words: Be Kind to Yourself
School in Nigeria is stressful enough without you being your own enemy. Some days, you will fail to study. You will spend 5 hours on Instagram. It happens.
Forgive yourself and try again tomorrow. Beating yourself up only drains the little energy you have left. Remember, one bad day does not mean you will fail. Just try to do a little bit today. Even one paragraph is a victory.
You’ve got this.
