Studying is great – in theory. People always say that revision and studying are important, but what they fail to mention is how difficult it is to actually get started and begin studying. There’s always something more fun or interesting to do than to revise what you’ve learnt, but if you want good grades, there isn’t much else you can do but just study.
- Set the mood
- Make it as enjoyable as possible
- Gamification
- Know what you have to do
Set the mood
The first thing you should do is designate a specific place where the only thing you do is study. Admittedly I’m not so good at this since I’ll often watch films or read books at my desk, but it’s still something that I’d recommend people try do because it helps get you into the right mindset every time you sit down at your desk to study. If you’d like to, maybe try looking at other people’s notes on websites like Pinterest to motivate you to study just as well. Be careful not to spend to much time on this though, set a timer to help make sure you don’t go down a rabbit hole of Pinterest posts.
Make it as enjoyable as possible
Remember that studying doesn’t have to be boring, and that you should do all you can to try and enjoy it so that you’ll do it more often. I personally like to light a scented candle, listen to music, and make my notes as pretty as possible, since I enjoy all those things and they make my studying experience more enjoyable. Consequently, I’ve begun to study more often, and for longer. Studying doesn’t have to be a chore! Also, take frequent breaks, as this helps you recharge so you don’t burn out in the middle of a study session.
Gamification
Gamification is when you add game elements to things that don’t usually have them, such as studying. Apps like Quizlet or Duolingo are incredibly usedul for this since they come equipped with features that directly incorporate gamification. The match and gravity features in Quizlet are especially helpful since they introduce the concepts you’re trying to learn without making it seem boring. If you prefer pen and paper, don’t worry, as there are many ways you can incorporate gamification into studying without apps
Know what you have to do
One incredibly helpful thing to do is to work out what you need to study and to make a schedule. This is incredibly useful as it prevents you from trying to do too many things in one study session and becoming overwhelmed. Moreover, making a schedule forces you to break your tasks down, making them seem more manageable and giving you concrete milestones to help you work out when you’ve learnt what you need to learn.
