November: The month where everything seems so gloomy. The weather gets colder, the sun sets at 4:30 pm, assignments are constantly piling up and midterm season feels never-ending. Finding the motivation to do anything –especially keeping up with schoolwork – feels absolutely impossible.
Having ways to make studying less gruelling during this time of year is crucial if I want to have any kind of sanity, and for me, that means romanticizing everything the moment it gets dark (i.e., making my space feel like its straight out of a Pinterest picture) so working doesn’t feel so hard.
1) Make your space cozy
When I think of cozy, I think fuzzy blankets, pillows, my favourite hoodie, and sweats. Honestly, that’s all it takes. Get into your favourite comfy clothes, find a comfy place to sit and make it feel warm. I usually work best sitting at my desk, but that doesn’t stop me from having a blanket on my lap, wearing my comfiest sweater and fuzzy slippers on my feet. Making yourself comfortable and your space cozy makes studying feel less meticulous.
2) Use Candles
Burning candles is a fool-proof way to make everything feel better. The soft glow is an instant mood booster, and the warm light is a nice change from the blue hue of a laptop screen. Having a candle lit next to your laptop creates a mental impression of peace, serenity, and composure – bonus points if it’s fragranced.
From my experience, this tricks your brain into believing you have everything under control. This way your study session will most likely be very productive, even if you have no idea what’s going on in your classes, just like me. Candles are also so personal and customizable to your tastes, with hundreds of different types, sizes and smells to choose from!
3) Have something warm to sip on
Tea, coffee, hot chocolate – the possibilities are endless! Having something warm to drink while studying brings all the happiness of going to a coffee shop without actually leaving your house. It’s also extremely soothing to drink something warm when stressed out, as studying in November often makes one feel. My drink of choice is a good cup of peppermint tea or black coffee! Having a drink other than water at your side is a small way to feel luxurious, and it’s great to keep spirits and energy high when studying!
4) Pick the right music
The soundtrack to your study session is essential to making studying feel easier. Set the ambience with any Spotify playlist of your choice (and yes, Spotify is superior). A personal favourite of mine is watching Harry Potter Studying Ambiance videos on YouTube to make it feel like I’m studying at Hogwarts – because Hermione Granger is proven to be super smart, and who wouldn’t want to study at Hogwarts?
From Harry Potter to Taylor Swift to Drake, just make it work for you and the vibe you’re trying to create. Having music to motivate you makes studying a lot easier and makes it more fun!
5) Plan something fun after
Having something to look forward to after always makes studying easier. Suddenly you need to finish what you’re working on and a reward system is a foolproof motivational method! There’s no need for big fancy plans, simply watching a movie with some friends or having a nice meal to cook after is motivation enough! Work hard, play hard is essential in life, and when it gets dark at 4:30 pm, we all need a little something to brighten our days!
Studying may not be the most ideal way to spend your November nights, but with these tips, it might just be a little more manageable.