Remove Friction Before You Need Willpower

Every small obstacle between you and studying is a decision point where your brain can talk you out of it. Having to find your textbook, clear your desk, charge your laptop, open the right app — each step is a tiny opportunity to quit. The trick isn't to have more willpower. It's to need less of it. Leave your textbook open on your desk. Keep your flashcard app on your home screen. Set up your study environment the night before.

This works because motivation is unreliable but environment is persistent. When the right action is also the easy action, you do it more consistently. You'll still have lazy days, but you won't lose an hour to setup before you even start. Remove the friction, and starting becomes almost automatic.