College is a huge transition for some people. Whether or not high school was easy for you, the amount of studying associated with each class increases dramatically in college. Many of us have heard the saying, “You want to study double the number of hours that you are in class,” which works out to be a whole lot of hours. But what do you do when you’re overwhelmed by all of these hours? Here are some tips to help yourself stay focused when you’re tired of studying.
Mix it up:
Tired of looking at the same thing? Make flashcards, take notes or highlight. Try reading out loud or quizzing yourself. The internet has tutorials and online practice tests for just about any subject, so if you’re bored of the textbook, try watching YouTube instead. A favorite channel of mine is Crash Course, which has brief, detailed summaries of a variety of topics. If you’re looking for flashcards, try Cram.com or Quizlet.
Reward yourself:
Don’t let yourself get another snack until you finish a chapter. Or better yet, place a piece of candy at the end of each section of your notes so that you can eat it when you turn the page. Plan to watch Netflix after studying so that you have something to look forward to.
Take a break:
It takes a lot out of us to study for hours on end, so give yourself a break. This might mean relaxing on the couch, or walking around to get your blood flowing again. Focus your mind on something else for a little bit, and then come back to the books.
Pump yourself up:
It might be nice to study in silence, but sometimes you have to jam out for a bit. Play some loud music, do some sort of exercise, do whatever you need to do to give yourself a little more energy. Downing caffeinated drinks works too, but it can get boring and honestly a tad unhealthy. Eating an apple and doing some jumping jacks can surprisingly give you just as much energy.
Include others:
Family and friends are there to help you. If you’re having a hard time retaining a topic, ask a friend to quiz you. They don’t have to be neuroscientists, just give them a list of terms and say, “go.” It can be really helpful to force yourself to define something to someone else rather than explaining it to yourself and calling it good.
Don’t go chronologically:
We often go through our notes in order, and thus only remember what we began and ended with. Instead, read random parts of your notes each day so that you can remember them regardless of order or importance.
Studying is a drag, but once you find a routine that works for you and strategies to help keep your goals in mind, you’ll find yourself using your time much more productively.