Students always hear something, like take control of yourself and stop being lazy! But how to do it, if you have to spend hours alone with textbooks and notes? Simple tips will help you stop procrastinating, focus, and get motivated to do assignments.
Study Buddy
If you study with a friend, the chances of staying motivated increase. While doing tasks together, people study longer and with more intensity, and the brain absorbs the information better.
All of this increases your overall level of knowledge and helps you feel more confident during exams. Of course, the rule works if you and your partner are specifically studying, not just hanging out.
Try creating a study group with people to study together on a certain schedule.
“Pomodoros” for Productivity
If your main problem is the inability to concentrate on a task and constant switching to something else, try the Pomodoro method. Practice is better to start with the easiest task. You need to set a timer for 25 minutes and study hard all this time. Then take a five-minute break and work again for 25 minutes.
After the four “pomodoro” cycles have been successfully completed, you can reward yourself with a 15-30 minute break when you can watch a YouTube video or play at the Vave Casino. Mark your progress in technique on a piece of paper or use special scheduling apps.
For the method to work, you need to have a clear list of tasks for the day. It isn’t recommended to use a timer on your phone, it’s better to turn it off or switch it to silent mode. During a 25-minute task, it’s better to have some privacy. You can even turn off your favorite music.
Seeing the Goal
A clear plan and strict scheduling will help you complete your tasks in time. Divide your big learning goals into small, specific steps. Calculate how many hours a day you need to study to get ready for your current project.
Divide your goals by level of difficulty, working on the most time-consuming tasks during your most productive time. Don’t be afraid to break your routine. Study time can be varied, given your chronotype. Larks may be comfortable studying from five in the morning; owls memorize better during the night hours.
The more specific your plan, the more successful and faster you’ll get through the tasks. Instead of trying to read an entire book, set a goal of finishing it in a certain amount of time – reading 50 pages a day, for example. It’s better to repeat the outline material not for the whole semester at once, but by dividing the lectures into weekly segments.
Not a Day Without a Record
You can spice up the routine process of studying by imagining yourself as an Olympian, striving for the prize. Make it a rule to set a new personal record and update it regularly.
It might be, for example, the number of pages you read or words you learned; the number of pages you wrote in your diploma or the number of answers you prepared for your exam. Set yourself a goal that will make you feel good and proud of yourself. This will help you feel confident and ready to tackle the rest of your studies with renewed vigor.
Sport and Sleep
To start studying with renewed energy, it doesn’t hurt to cheer up. Not only a cup of coffee, but also physical activity is suitable for this purpose. Sports is one of the best ways to motivate yourself to study. Studies show that students who exercise while studying feel more alert and are able to concentrate better.
Exercise is sure to improve your mood. To feel the rush of endorphins, it isn’t necessary to run a marathon distance. It’s enough to stretch, move to your favorite music or breathe in the fresh air in the yard.
But even the sport is unlikely to bring success if you don’t sleep. It’s believed that sleepless nights for the student during the session is a common thing. In fact, you need to sleep at least eight hours a night.
Cleanliness and Order
Anything goes faster if it’s clean and tidy around you. You won’t believe it, but if you sweep up the dust, remove unnecessary things from your desk, and arrange your textbooks and notebooks, the right mood for studying will appear by itself.
Think about what would make your workspace nice and cozy. Perhaps pictures of family or friends, a potted flower or a painting. You can study anywhere: at home, in a café, or library, the main thing is to avoid visual and sound irritants. Sit at a separate table from your friend so you don’t lose your study rhythm. Ask your housemates not to disturb you for a while and turn down the volume of the TV. Turn away from the refrigerator or window if they claim your attention. Put your phone on airplane mode. Close unnecessary tabs on your laptop or turn off your computer altogether if you don’t need it right now.
A Healthy Snack
To avoid making constant forays into the kitchen, prepare something in advance for a light and healthy snack. Put a plate with your favorite nuts, cereal bars or cheese next to you so that you always have an opportunity to replenish your energy.
Don’t fill up on sweets: maybe a couple of chocolates will make you happier, but very soon it will cause a feeling of hunger. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein will help you win the hard battle for new knowledge without damaging your figure.
Drink plenty of water during a busy study session. People who drink water are more likely to stay focused. But it’s better to limit caffeine intake to one or two cups of coffee or a can of soda to avoid overexcitation of the nervous system.
Getting a Reward
If all academic goals have been achieved, it’s time to reward yourself for your hard work. This reward can be anything from a nice dinner to a mini-trip with friends. You can develop a whole system of incentives for each small victory. For example, allow yourself to go for a walk, go on social networks for half an hour, or play a musical instrument.