Staying attentive and on top of your game while studying can be incredibly difficult. Even trying to start can feel like you’re walking to your grave. Here are five slightly unconventional study tips to keep you motivated and prepared to snatch that A!
1. Relate Concepts to People You Know
It is absolutely possible to find enjoyment while studying. Stay with me now. When a concept or theory really isn’t sticking, try to find ways to connect it with a person you know. The comic turn-out is truly endless. Even recreating application problems to include your friends, teachers, or secret enemies can be incredible for sinking the information in your long-term memory bank. The more ridiculous and outrageous you get, the more easily the information will come to you during crunch time.
2. Keep Your Work Open Before bed
Sometimes the hardest part of studying is simply getting started. Before you go to bed, lay out all your open notes, pens, textbooks, and anything else you need for a solid study session on your desk. This simple action can make a world of a difference in beginning your day productively. Every college student has experienced the evils of procrastination. This method is a great way to start your work early and take full advantage of the day. As a word of caution, make sure you don’t always leave your work open. This may make you feel more overwhelmed and anxious about the upcoming examination. In addition, keep your space organized whether or not you are studying. It will make the experience and environment far less frantic.
3. Get Active
It’s important to know when you need stop and take a break. As much as we would like to think that we are herculean machines that can study for hours on end, you can’t shake off the fact that you’re only human. That hour you wasted going cross-eyed trying to read that Chemistry textbook is far less productive than taking the time to replenish your body. The best type of break you can do is getting involved in physical activity. A quick thirty minute visit to the gym can do wonders for both your body and mind by increasing memory retention and keeping your energy levels high. If you don’t want to leave your study environment, there are plenty of exercises you can do even while sitting down at the library! With only your toe brushing the floor, outline the alphabet while tensing all of your leg muscles. Repeat for the other leg, and this will help with blood circulation after sitting for 5 hours in Van Pelt. Just limit any use of a screen during your breaks if you can and avoid Facebook like it’s the plague.
4. Change Up Your Study Space
Designating a distraction-free study space is very important. But there comes a point when you’re so tired of your surrounding that you steadily lose general interest. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different surroundings. Venture outside of your dorm or apartment and try a quiet library, your nearby Starbucks, or even an empty classroom in DRL (if you can survive) or Williams. When the weather is actually pleasant, try reading in the grass or a bench. Whatever you decide, stay AWAY from the bed if you plan to study. It only leads to grief. You’ll tell yourself you’re disciplined enough to take a quick nap. Next thing you know, you’re knocked out and using your study guides as a makeshift blanket.
5. Abuse those Post-It Notes
Placing Post-It Notes on common surfaces you visit every day is a great way for you to engrain concepts into your mind without realizing it. If you live in a suite or apartment, place them around your bathroom mirror or cupboard. If you don’t have a personal bathroom, place them around your closet door or mini-fridge. Get creative! Even stick them to your favorite box of cereal if that works for you. By making the experience more of a game, it’s hard to notice that you’re even studying!
Try these tips out next time and hopefully you see some improvement in your studying process! Unless you’re already perfect, then disregard everything I just wrote. ;) Happy studying!