When faced with a pile of schoolwork, you may immediately get discouraged before starting to study. This can be overcome by dividing the task into several goals that are easy to achieve so that learning activities are completed more quickly. Before you start studying, prepare yourself by thinking positively and making a plan to achieve success. Instead of adopting a learning style that isn't helpful, figure out the learning style that works best for you and then apply it as you complete assignments. Study the exam material ahead of time so you don't get overwhelmed, but don't beat yourself up if you sometimes don't want to study.
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Method 1 of 4: Be a Responsible Person
Step 1. Learn to forgive yourself if you get used to it buy some time.
The problem is exacerbated when you blame yourself for procrastinating or reluctance to study. Don't rely on guilt or self-punishment to get you to learn. This behavior makes you run out of energy and it's hard to concentrate. Try to accept yourself when you are reluctant to learn. Acknowledge the problem, but remember that the problem will be resolved if you try to improve yourself.
Don't compare yourself to more accomplished classmates. Instead of thinking about other people, focus on the things you want and the abilities you have because everyone has a different learning style
Step 2. Free yourself from the burden of thoughts that keep you from learning
Take the time to write free essays or keep a journal to find out what you are worried about about the material to study or the things that are holding you back from getting started. Alternatively, share your problem with a friend or family member. Once freed from the burden of the mind, ignore the inhibiting feelings. Take a deep breath and tell yourself it's time to change your mindset so you're ready to learn.
Before you share your problem with a friend, make sure he or she is ready to listen and has finished studying
Step 3. Explain your study plan to someone
After developing a study plan, share this with your roommate, classmate, or family member to let them know that you want to put the plan into action and are determined to overcome any challenges or obstacles that come your way. Have them watch over you and monitor your learning progress on a regular basis. Alternatively, let them know that you will notify each time the study target is reached.
- Even though study assignments are individual activities, you are more motivated if you have to show responsibility to others.
- Invite a classmate or roommate to do the same so that both of you support each other and monitor your learning progress.
- Also, tell your friends that you can work with them if you finish studying before 07.00 pm. So that your friends don't disappoint and you have time to have fun, take advantage of this desire to prevent these consequences so that you are more motivated.
Step 4. Form a study group or find a tutor so you have to be accountable to someone
If you are able to concentrate when studying with other people, make friends or form a study group. Before that, take the time to discuss each other's learning styles and habits to find the right study buddy. Then, agree on some learning targets, how to achieve them, and the deadline for each. If study groups aren't very effective, find a tutor who can help you with your schoolwork. Determine the schedule and learning targets and then use them as a deadline to achieve the agreed progress.
- Find a tutor at school or through a private tutoring agency.
- In study groups, each student may volunteer to work on the problem and then explain the solution to group members.
- Prepare a comfortable study room and healthy snacks so that the learning atmosphere is more fun. In addition, take advantage of the material studied to compete so that you are more motivated.
- Do your homework as best you can and set aside time to study certain material before studying with a group in case your study partner doesn't come.
Method 2 of 4: Develop a Study Schedule
Step 1. Find out what learning patterns are helping you achieve your best
Determine the environmental conditions and learning styles that are most effective so that you are able to remember information and pass the exam. So that you can concentrate on your schoolwork, find a place to study that you enjoy. Perhaps you prefer to study alone in a quiet place or in a public place, such as a library or coffee shop. Determine how well you remember information when memorizing course material or glancing at returned textbooks and schoolwork. Find out the various factors that make you a positive, productive, and focused person so that you can apply them every time you study.
- Try to remember the study sessions that the results were very satisfactory and other sessions that were not effective to find out the factors supporting and inhibiting learning progress.
- Study sessions aren't stressful if you apply your personal preferences and learning patterns and styles.
Step 2. Focus on your long-term goals and what you want to achieve by studying
Instead of being negative, for example, considering learning activities as boring, focus your thoughts on positive things by imagining your hard work paying off sweetly. For example, imagine that you get an A, get complimented by the teacher, and become the top of your class. Soak up this pleasurable feeling while improving your mindset about learning activities.
- If you want to attend college or receive a scholarship, use each study session as a small step towards achieving your goals.
- Use long-term goals to motivate yourself to study harder.
Step 3. Break the schoolwork into a number of easy-to-reach intermediate goals
Set concrete goals that you want to achieve each time you study. Break down the main goal into several intermediate goals that are easy to achieve. Set realistic specific goals and work towards achieving them one by one. This step helps you progress to the fullest and every time you complete a study session, achieving your goals makes you feel proud.
- The pile of homework and unfinished schoolwork may overwhelm you. Instead of thinking about whether or not you can complete a task, ask yourself how many tasks you can complete in 2 hours.
- Instead of forcing yourself to read a book to the end, aim to read 1 chapter or 50 pages each day.
- When facing the final semester exam, read the notes for the first week of lectures today, continue reading the second week of lectures tomorrow.
Step 4. Sort the tasks from the easiest to the most difficult or from the shortest to the longest
Depending on the level of aversion to learning or the level of difficulty of the subject being studied, determine a sequence of tasks that can reduce stress and maintain learning motivation. Start the study session from the shortest to the most time-consuming or from the easiest to the most difficult. Alternatively, do the most difficult task first to make the next task easier or complete the task according to the lesson schedule.
If you adopt a logical way of working, it reduces the fatigue of having to make decisions so that you can complete tasks one by one with ease
Step 5. Set a time limit or allocate time when compiling a study schedule
After determining intermediate goals, arrange a study schedule that is easy to implement. If you prefer to use an agenda, set a start and finish schedule for studying. In addition, you can create a more flexible schedule by setting time limits for each activity and ordering them as desired. Whatever your choice, make sure you make time to study each day.
- The tendency to procrastinate is greater if you say to yourself, "This week, I have to set aside time to study." You can stick to a consistent study schedule by planning, "I'll study from 6pm to 9pm every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday."
- Try to stick to a consistent study schedule, but you can change it if needed. For example, before going to bed at night, set the alarm to ring at 5 a.m. every Sunday morning so you wake up to study. This step will get you ready to learn because this activity is planned in advance.
- The chances of achieving study success are even greater if you are able to manage your time by drawing up a more specific and detailed study schedule.
Method 3 of 4: Preparing Yourself and Study Area
Step 1. Set aside time for a walk or light exercise so you can think positively
Free yourself from feeling lazy by doing light exercise for a few minutes, such as taking a leisurely walk in the park while enjoying the fresh air, doing a few star jumps, or dancing to your favorite song.
- Besides being useful for increasing energy and restoring mood, these activities make the brain more receptive so that the learning process is more effective.
- By engaging in physical activity, you create momentum for a productive study session.
Step 2. Freshen up and wear comfortable clothes
If you're still sleepy and uninspired, take a shower or wash your face to freshen up. Wear clothes made of soft materials that feel comfortable against the skin. Don't be distracted by seams that trigger itching or a waistband that's too tight. Choose clothes that are often worn and the right size. Consider the weather conditions and bring a coat or jacket if needed. If you have long hair, tie it in a ponytail so it doesn't cover your eyes.
Make sure the atmosphere of the study area is not like a bedroom so you don't fall asleep
Step 3. Arrange the study area and place study equipment neatly
Whether you study in a dorm room or in a coffee shop, first clean the desk and tidy up the study area by removing unnecessary items. If needed, just stack the items elsewhere. You can tidy it up later. After the study area is ready to use, put your textbooks, laptops, notebooks, pens, markers, Post-it, and other necessary equipment.
- Make sure you can study without anyone distracting you. When determining the sitting position, do not face the refrigerator or window to increase concentration. If you're studying with a friend, use separate tables so the two of you don't chat.
- So that you feel at home in the study area, adjust the air temperature so that it feels cool and comfortable. Decorate the wall with photos of you and your friends, place ornamental plants on the study table, and use an ergonomic chair.
Step 4. Turn on the computer and then close unnecessary websites
If you are learning to use a computer, close all websites that are not related to the lesson. Then, open a website account to access the material you want to study and download the PDF files you need to be ready to learn. Sit near a power source and plug in the computer charger before studying so you don't get distracted when the battery is running low.
- If you're easily distracted, but need to use a computer to display study or research materials, it's a good idea to print them out beforehand so you can stay focused on your assignments.
- If the computer is used only for typing manuscripts or opening PDFs, disconnect from the internet so you don't access websites.
- If you don't need the computer while studying, just turn it off.
Step 5. Mute or turn off the phone to get rid of distractions
Do not be busy replying to messages from friends or receiving calls from younger siblings while studying. If necessary, let them know in advance that you want to study and need to concentrate. Then, mute or turn off the phone.
Keep your phone in a closed place so that you are not tempted to find out if there are incoming messages or not
Step 6. Prepare drinking water and healthy snacks
Get in the habit of drinking enough water and put a bottle filled with water so you don't get thirsty while studying. Keep peanuts in small jars, granola bars, or fresh fruit near your desk so you don't have to starve and stay energized.
- Do not immediately study if you have just finished eating so you don't get sleepy and want to rest.
- Don't delay eating as a reward because a sore stomach distracts you. So, prepare a snack to delay hunger.
- Avoid sugary snacks, fast food, and pastries because these foods make energy spikes and trigger sleepiness suddenly.
Step 7. Listen to music to make learning more fun
So that you don't get distracted, choose music without lyrics or songs with lyrics that play frequently so that they serve as a learning accompaniment. Play an album of certain songs over and over again or a playlist of your favorite songs so you don't run out of time to find the next song.
- The right music is beneficial to calm the mind and improve concentration.
- Play classic songs played on a piano or guitar solo or listen to the soundtrack of your favorite movie.
- For a boost of motivation, play an Electro Swing or Lo-fi Beats playlist.
- Look for your favorite music app to download playlists that support learning, such as "Music for Studying and Concentrating" or "Study Music Memory Booster: (Focus & Studying)".
Method 4 of 4: Managing the Material You Want to Study
Step 1. Start studying a few minutes early to relieve anxiety
If you're panicking because of the sheer amount of material you have to study, it's less stressful if you start studying right away. First, do the easiest task that can be completed in the shortest time, such as reading the vocabulary list for 5 minutes. Then, apply the Pomodoro technique by allocating 25 minutes to each task. Time goes by unnoticed and you feel relieved that the task is done.
- After about 5 minutes, the pain-detecting brain nerve in charge of transmitting an alarm when you are lazy to learn to calm down.
- In the Pomodoro technique, the duration of 25 minutes is called Pomodoro. Set the timer to go off after you have rested for 5 minutes before moving on to the next Pomodoro.
- If 25 minutes is too short, set your own learning duration as needed because the main goal to be achieved is to start learning.
Step 2. Create a personal study guide for each subject
This step is needed if the teacher does not provide a study guide or the existing guide does not suit your learning style. Determine the most effective study guide, for example using note cards, making a list of things you want to understand about each topic, or writing down all the questions that are likely to come up on an exam. Answer the practice questions in the textbook or create questions for each chapter heading.
- If you want to study the chapter entitled "The Chronology of World War II," write the question as a practice question, "Explain the chronology of World War II."
- To make it easier, use the templates and sample study guides on the website.
Step 3. Create visual aids to make it easier for you to relate and remember information
If you find it easier to learn using visuals, create a mind map or Venn diagram to summarize the topic you want to study. Draw a chart using colored pencils, arrows, and symbols so you can visualize the concepts explained in the textbook. Also, mark your notes using certain colors as a means of associating topics and ideas.
Instead of memorizing vocabulary from a PDF or dictionary, write the word and its definition in handwriting using colored pens to make the information easier to remember
Step 4. Use mnemonics to memorize information
Mnemonics are tools in the form of short words to activate memory formed from acronyms of several words or information that you want to memorize. Compose a short story using the names of characters and historical dates or according to the plot of a must-read novel. To create a mnemonic, you can compose your own or search the internet for "how to memorize [subject]".
- If you want to memorize the colors of the rainbow, use the mnemonic "mejikuhibiniu" as an abbreviation for: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, purple.
- To save time from studying, you don't need to compose poetry or songs as mnemonics.
Step 5. Take advantage of podcasts or YouTube videos to broaden your knowledge of the subject being studied
When you read scientific topics that are difficult to understand, use the internet to find sources of information to complement the material being studied. Take 20 minutes to watch a video that explains the topic in easy-to-understand terms. Download biology podcasts related to the school curriculum. Everyone conveys information in a different style. So, look for videos that convey information in a style that you like.
Set a time limit for watching videos so you don't get distracted. If the learning target is achieved, you can access interesting and useful websites
Step 6. Reward yourself when the learning target is achieved
Decide on a simple way of rewarding yourself when the study plan is executed well. If your study session isn't over, you can take a short walk, eat a granola bar, or enjoy your favorite song. If you want to take a longer break, watch 1 favorite YouTube video or TV show. Alternatively, set aside 20-30 minutes to do hobby activities. After studying, you can relax while playing video games, accessing social media to interact with friends, or painting.
- Food can be a great reward, but don't eat high-sugar snacks when you start studying to keep your blood sugar levels stable. Save a sweet snack in case you need a boost of energy towards the end of your study session.
- If you want to take a break before you finish studying, remember that you still have work to do. Before taking a break, set a duration and ignore voices urging you to take a "just a minute" rest.
Tips
- If you need help, don't hesitate to ask the teacher or lecturer! Meet with them during business hours or make an appointment to ask for clarification on a subject you don't understand. Ask questions when the material is explained in class. This shows that you are motivated to take lessons and want to get the best grades.
- Get in the habit of getting a good night's sleep of at least 8 hours every day so that you are able to memorize the information you just learned.
- When following the lesson, take notes on the material explained as best as possible and then store it neatly in the orderner. Apply this method when saving worksheets, handouts, and exam materials.
