You have multiple due dates coming up, you’re sitting in your favorite study spot in the library and have your laptop with all your documents opened up right in front of you. You’re planning to have an intense study/homework session for the next few hours. Everything seems to be on track. You’re feeling so motivated, you can’t wait to get right into it and get work done.
30 minutes in…. You just can’t do it anymore.
We’ve all been there.
Either we have no idea how to start this gigantic and overwhelming paper, or simply don’t have the motivation to study 10 chapters for a mid-term you’re having soon. Every now and then, we experience phases where we just can’t get anything done despite our strong determination. Here are some tips and things to do when you want to beat the anti-productivity funk. (Make sure to keep an eye out for tip #5, a really fun way to get yourself motivated – watch YouTube videos *wink*)
1. Understand the reason behind your student’s block
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First things first, in order to tackle your student’s block, you have to first understand the reason behind your lack of motivation. There could be a million reasons. Maybe you had a really long day and you’re having a hard time concentrating. Maybe the research paper is a huge part of your grade and a super long one, and you don’t know where or how to start. Or maybe there’s so much studying you have to do, you know you won’t be able to finish in time, so why bother? Depending on your situation, choose different methods to help yourself get out of this funk.
2. Step away from it for a while
If you’re having a hard time focusing even after an hour of trying, go do something else. Don’t force yourself. You’re very likely going to end up not being very productive and have all your precious time wasted. Instead of forcing yourself to do what you think is productive at the moment, such as cramming that homework or studying, do something else that is also productive, just in a different way. For instance, if you’re feeling hungry and all you can think about during your study session is that warm burrito, then go eat and come back to studying. If you’re feeling restless, maybe go to the gym for half an hour. If you’re just feeling bored or annoyed, go take a steamy shower. When you’re studying, you’re doing a lot of thinking, thus, a lot of blood is flowing to your brain. Taking a hot shower can improve blood circulation, drawing the blood from your brain to the rest of your body, and relax your brain. It also reduces blood pressure and relaxes your muscles. Enough with the science. What I’m trying to say is, a hot shower can relax your brain and body to recharge you for an intense study session. Besides doing all these things, you can also do other tasks to make good use of your study break. For instance, doing laundry, washing the dirty dishes you’ve been putting off since last weekend, vacuuming your room, looking at major/minor courses, planning your schedule for the upcoming semester/year, study abroad information, housing options, internships and job opportunities and so on! Even though you’re not working on school work, you’re still doing something productive, and it’s a great way to take your mind off your school work for a while before going into it again.
3. Create to-do lists (both general, and specific/detailed ones for bigger tasks)
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Oftentimes, the reason why we don’t feel like doing homework or studying is that we’re intimidated by the overwhelming amount of work and have no idea where to start. To-do lists, in this case, would be a very helpful tool. There are different kinds of to-do lists. Ones where you list out all the assignments and tasks you have to do for the day or the next few days, and then there are the ones where you list out small little tasks that you can do in order to achieve that bigger task. For example, to tackle your big research paper effectively, you’re going to have to break it down to less intimidating, doable steps. Your research paper’s not going to write itself when you just stare at your annotated bibliography, willing your brain to spark something. These small steps can be:
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Formulate a thesis if you haven’t done so already (or polish your existing one)
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Come up with a few main arguments you want to present in your paper (If you’re stuck, go through your annotated bibliography and come up with some of your arguments from those sources)
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Categorize your sources (which source supports which argument)
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Create a general outline and determine the sequence of your arguments
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Work on the introduction
(Pro-tip: Some people prefer writing the paper chronologically: introduction, argument 1, argument 2…, and finally, conclusion. Some people think it’s easier to write the arguments/main body first and then write the introduction and conclusion. You should figure out which way works best for you and stick with that method.)
When it comes to studying for an exam, your to-do list can be:
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Review powerpoint slides for chapter X
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Redo practice questions for chapter X
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Review powerpoint slides for chapter Y
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Redo practice questions for chapter Y
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Review past quizzes
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Review lecture notes
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Complete study guide
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Watch YouTube video on photosynthesis
4. The art of location
I’m sure a lot of you have heard that studying on your bed isn’t the greatest idea. This has something to do with association. Your bed is a place for you to sleep, so your brain has naturally associated your bed with the act of sleeping. Same with other locations. Your couch may be associated with watching TV and your kitchen associated with eating. It is very important for you to have a place that you dedicate for studying only, so whenever you’re in that location, your brain knows you’re supposed to study, and it gets you in the zone. Another thing about location is that if you’re feeling unmotivated and bored while studying, go switch your study space! Find a new location and you’ll be surprised the wonders it can do for you! If you usually study in the library, go switch it up and try studying in your common room! If you usually study in your dorm, go to the study tables in Peterson hall! The excitement of a new location can boost your motivation and concentration!
5. Watch YouTube videos (Yes, you heard me right.)
Photo Courtesy of Marina LiPhoto Courtesy of Marina Li
Now, onto my favorite tip here. When you just don’t feel like doing anything, watch YouTube videos! This may seem counterintuitive, but hear me out. When I say YouTube videos, I don’t mean meme/vine compilations, challenge videos and clothing hauls. What I’m referring to are college/study related videos. In recent years, the college lifestyle has become a growing trend in the YouTube community, with more and more college YouTubers posting college, productivity and organization related videos. There’s also a bunch of study with me videos and college vlogs. People who know me know that I’m OBSESSED with college videos. I watch way too many organizational and productivity videos and I have no shame. Whenever I watch YouTubers who are also college students struggling and tackling the same issues, I get really motivated and determined to study and get stuff done. I have a few great college YouTubers I watch regularly and I’ll be writing an article sharing them with you all sometime soon!