At this point in the semester, I am just completely over it! I feel the urge to give up, and the desire to “slack off” suddenly kicks in. Here are some study habits that help me persevere through the end of the school year.
Try the Pomodoro Method
I use this method when I feel overwhelmed by a huge assignment. This method breaks up study time into blocks. For example, the first study block can be twenty minutes followed by a 5-minute break. (This is repeated for however long you desire). I do this all the time; I choose to study for twenty-five minutes and take a break for ten minutes. Here’s a website that you can use to customize your own Pomodoro method; it lets you list out assignments as well.
Make a Thorough Agenda
This slightly coincides with the Pomodoro method tip. Before the week starts (like the Saturday or Sunday before), create an agenda that breaks up your homework assignments into daily bite-sized tasks. Next, write down specific goals you would like to complete by the end of the week. I like to use a hand-held agenda, but you can access many free tools online. For example, I use Notion to create various agendas, charts, and graphs from scratch. It’s a free platform, and you can find templates to help customize your own page.
Pretend
This is going to sound odd, but this tactic works for me. Sometimes I pretend that I’m a Victorian girl that’s been sent away for school. My assignments are a part of my education to become a well-rounded individual. Or, I pretend that I am training to become a monarch and to do so I must complete my education. I know it sounds a tad crazy, but it’s just pretending. It makes going to school more interesting. For example, while I’m studying at my computer, I pretend that I’m toiling away at my work by candlelight. Instead of reading the required text, I’m cozied in the farthest corner of the castle with a book. You can put your own spin on it and think of however you wish to imagine your school experience.
Take it One Day at A Time
When in doubt, create daily goals. During most of my weeks, things don’t go as planned in my agenda. I may get sick, be slammed with assignments, or go overboard on extra-curriculars. Each morning, I write down 3-4 school-related goals to complete by the end of the day. I don’t make big goals; I keep them small (each could take 20-30 minutes to complete). In my notes app, I create little bubbles to check off every time I complete a task. The serotonin I gain from filling in the bubbles motivates me to complete everything. A finished to-do list brings forth pure, unfiltered joy.
I often catch myself thinking of what I’m going to do after I graduate, which stresses me out. Finishing daily goals has helped calm me down, where I feel accomplished for the day.
I have clung to these four study habits like my life depends on them, because it sort of does. I sincerely wish that we all finish strong this semester; hopefully these practices help anyone who feels as fatigued as I do.