I usually start with the easy stuff and that flexes my mind to move onto the more complicated things.

i think: 'if i do my work faster, i can get to bed earlier'
yes, that is quite motivating for me ;)

Remeber it's very interesting ...and a challenge!

way back when i was in school (the 80's) I would load up on Pepsi, hostess apple pies and peanut butter candy bars. I was never great in general school work (it bored my to tears), but I kicked @$$ like jet li at tests, especially the annual "test of Basic Skills"

I usually listen to music that gets me hyped up.