Coming off summer break and going back to school isn’t always easy.
Especially now with classes entirely in swing and the weather getting colder. Finding motivation while managing your time can be hard.
Taking study tips from someone who struggles with doing so may seem ironic. But as a student who went through all of high school without an ADHD diagnosis, I’ve picked up some odd tricks that can help when the classic tips don’t work anymore.
- What you listen to is more important than you realize
-
We all have our favorite songs, albums and artists. However, just because “folklore” has complex lyrics and an indie sound doesn’t mean Taylor Swift isn’t going to distract you from your work.
When I’m stressed or have much to do, I lock in by playing Mario Kart Music. This was a trend on TikTok, but I found it works incredibly for me. Maybe the pacing of music designed for a high-paced car race game aids even the most distracted people in getting things done.
You can find multiple hours-long YouTube videos with curated songs from Nintendo video games to help you study or finish your work faster.
You may not need to go as extreme as Mario Kart music, but minimalist, classical or low-fi music is proven to aid concentration.
Yes, we all want to get our numbers up for the Spotify-wrapped or Apple Music rewind, but you can return to your favorite songs once the work gets done.
- Sometimes, being alone hurts more than it helps.
-
It may seem counterintuitive to be with your friends to study, but if you set out to get work done, being around people can pressure you into being productive.
Who will call you out for being on your phone if you’re alone? For doing something unrelated to the assignment? No one.
That’s the great part of working with people who must be productive. You can hold yourself and your friends accountable for getting work done. Being around your friends or classmates provides small breaks to talk or ask a question, naturally breaking up all your work.
Multiple ADHD resources cite this phenomenon as “body doubling.” Being around other people who are being productive pressures you into doing the same.
CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) says “some college students also used body doubling to stay on track with class assignments.” It’s an excellent solution for those with attention issues, whether you have a diagnosed problem or are stuck in a rut.
- Write a list— and check it off.
-
We all like to feel productive but sometimes we just don’t have the motivation to do so.
There’s no better way to subtly pat yourself on the back than to write out everything you need to get done, even if it’s small, just to be able to check it off.
Especially on days it seems like you have more to get done than hours in the day, writing down a physical list helps make everything seem far more attainable. You will feel less stressed and more motivated even after checking the first thing.
Some people have a planner and might say they already do this, but getting a separate piece of paper to write down and prioritize everything that needs to get done makes things more realizable.
Yes, a planner is a great thing, but getting your day in order on particularly high-stress days is suitable for visualizing what you’ve done and what you still need to get done.
- Give yourself small rewards along the way.
-
Sometimes, you need only a little extra push to get something done. If the impending doom of a lousy grade or incomplete assignment isn’t giving you that, you’ll have to manufacture that yourself.
After each page read, have a piece of candy. After completing one assignment, let yourself go on your phone for 10 minutes.
Even small things like finishing a paragraph or sending an email before getting up to fill your water can give you that little extra push to get the job done.
It’s particularly nice when you have a long day ahead of you. It breaks things up and gives you extra motivation when you need it the most.
- Take care of yourself.
-
Hungry dogs run faster, but starving dogs die.
Food, water and sleep are all vital to your health. Your brain and body operate the best when you’re well-fed, hydrated and rested.
Now and then, an all-nighter is necessary, but you shouldn’t rely on it. At some point while studying ask yourself which will help you more: to sleep or study while exhausted.
A bad grade doesn’t define you; sometimes, you must prioritize your health. Learn from having to choose between sleep and school now and use it to motivate your time management in the future.
I’m not saying you should always pick sleep over school, but know when you’ve worked too hard. We might be halfway through the semester, but you don’t want to burn out before November when we have school until May.
Those study tips have helped me through my college career and I hope they will help you too.