Point of view: You know you have an essay due at the end of the week. But every time you sit down to begin typing, your mind wanders. Hmm. The wind rustling the leaves on the trees outside distracts you.
Uh oh. You suddenly remember you neglected to water the plants yesterday. I’ll just water them for a while. Uh, the room is too messy. Let’s clean this up first.
The Netflix show you began last night is calling your name. And suddenly, you have finished the entire season in 1 sitting. Pheww. What a dramatic ending was that.
You even decide to throw in that load of laundry on your bedroom floor for two weeks. The next thing you know, the week has gone by, and you’re finally starting your essay the night before it’s due. Oops.
As students, we all have these moments where procrastination gets the better of us. When your motivation is lacking, and procrastination sinks in, let’s try these simple hacks to study smart:
Tips for studying well
1. Focus- Commit to a Single Task
Switching from task to task can severely slow you down. Instead, choose one thing to focus on and give it your utmost attention. Doing so will increase productivity and ensure you get the most out of your study session.
On the other hand, multitasking can lead to scattered thoughts. You’ll find yourself wasting more time on simple tasks. This approach will lead to falling behind on your study goals. Thus, it can increase your stress levels and make problems worse.
Focusing on one task will allow you to cut down on the stress of schoolwork and will make your efforts more meaningful. Subsequently, you’ll focus more and enable yourself to enjoy your work by applying single-tasking over multitasking.
This is one of the most important study smart tips. Stop the long hours of study that are not productive. Though short, make the most out of your studying time by putting your utmost attention during your study.
2. Exercise Regularly
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Secondly, start exercising! This is a bit weird study smart tips. But physical exercises have several psychological advantages that can aid your studying habits. Indeed, exercise can jump-start brain activity and put you back in the mood to hit the books.
A good workout will aid memory and cognitive function, improve mood, and enforce positive behavior. Wow. Besides, you can further elevate your energy and enthusiasm, decrease stress and tension, and reduce depressive thoughts and mood swings.
Just take some time to exercise before getting in the mood to study. For example, walk around the block. 30 minutes at an average pace on the treadmill. A friendly game of frisbee. Lifting weights at the gym. And many more! You can just do whichever you love. Not only it’ll help you physically but also psychologically. Besides, it’s fun! Additionally, exercise thrice or more weekly to stimulate your brain and increase your motivation to study.
3. Create a Reward System
The third study smart tips is setting up rewards for the end of your study sessions. Yes, a reward system! It can motivate you to keep working. It’s like patting yourself on the back for a job well done. Between studying, you can reward yourself with a snack break, a short phone check-in, or anything that appeals to you personally.
The important thing is to make sure that the reward aligns with your interests. Make sure it is something you will look forward to, allowing your brain to stay positive throughout your studies.
Furthermore, building a reward system for yourself will keep you motivated and productive and make you want to perform well.
4. Utilize an Organized, Inspiring Study Space
The proper study space can enable you to stay focused and content. It’s the perfect way to clear your mind and concentrate on your coursework.
Firstly, ensure that your studying area is clean and free of distractions. A cluttered desk or room can make you feel stressed and distract you from the task.
Try to organize your workspace and keep it clear from anything that does not pertain to your study materials. Any unnecessary papers or digital devices tend to divert your attention. Consequently, you’re going to waste precious time studying.
Next, you should ensure that you have only the essential materials you’ll need to study. Make sure that you have what you need before you begin. Collect your materials, grab water, and fix a quick snack to keep at hand if necessary. This way, you can resist the temptation to get up and break your train of thought.
Most importantly, make sure that your study space is comfortable and that you feel relaxed. Not so relaxed that you find yourself drifting away into a nap, but a spot that avoids busy or loud areas, where people talking and walking by can keep you sidetracked.
If you know your concentration is easily interrupted, opt for a quiet and conducive place to study. For instance, a quiet corner in a hallway with less traffic or a private study room at the library. In fact, a clean, organized, distraction-free, and comfortable area with all of your essentials will keep you more motivated to write your long essay or prepare for that big exam.
5. Join a Study Group
Connecting with like-minded individuals who want to succeed can also be an excellent motivation booster. Besides, it’s much more fun! And make you look forward to learning and getting your work finished.
With a study group, you can schedule specific times to meet. Setting such a commitment for yourself can lower the temptation to get caught up in other outside engagements. With a study group, you can also pool your resources and learn from each other or find immediate help when you get stuck on a particular subject.
Study groups are also helpful when you can learn from each other’s strengths and weaknesses and help one another improve your grades. Find a solid support system with a good study group and boost your motivation to study with some friends or classmates who share similar academic goals.
When we surround ourselves with smarter, more positive people, it makes us smarter, more positive people in return! In addition, you can also share your own study smart tips among each other.
6. Stick to a Routine
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Another study smart tips is to stick to a routine. As creatures of habit, our bodies and minds are prone to thriving off of consistent routines. It’s easier for us to stick to a plan once we’ve done the same daily task.
Routines with good habits make your life more efficient and constructive. Such an undertaking may not sound easy initially, but finding motivation is effortless once you form a powerful study habit. Your body and mind will naturally gravitate toward the task.
The trick is to start and stay consistent. Choose a specific time and place to study daily to get the most out of your routine. Your muscle memory will kick in after a while, and your study session will become an unquestioned acquired behavior.
7. The Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method created by Francesco Cirillo in the 1980s. It is a very useful study smart tips. It involves finding a more efficient way to get tasks done through short bursts of work, followed by short breaks. It’s a great tool for studying that can help you find motivation.
Here’s how you can do it:
- Choose a study task, like completing an assignment or prepping for an exam.
- Set your timer for 25 minutes.
- Study until the timer runs out. The timer running out marks the completion of one interval, or one ‘Pomodoro.’
- Relax, and take a five-minute break. Try stretching or taking a quick bathroom or snack break.
- After four tasks or Pomodoros, take a longer 15 to 30-minute break.
The Pomodoro Technique has been found to increase motivation and productivity effectively. With recurrent breaks, your mind can feel fresher and more focused the next time you hit the timer.
The strict timing will force your attention and allow you to complete tasks more quickly. You can ease procrastination, avoid burnout, and escape the feelings of being overwhelmed by using this powerful method while studying.
Key Takeaways to Study Smart
Wave goodbye to procrastination. Use these study smart tips instead of studying hard:
- Focus on one task to help you get things done faster and with better quality
- Exercise a few days each week for positive physical and psychological results
- Reward yourself for a job well done
- Use a proper study space that is organized, clean, and free of distractions
- Take part in a study group with like-minded individuals who want to see you succeed
- Build habits with a consistent routine that makes it easier to get up and study every day
- Try the Pomodoro Technique for a more efficient and productive way to study
Finish your essay in a day and ace that final exam through commitment, a bit of physical activity, help from friends, or through trying a new technique. With persistence and practice, and by keeping goals in mind, applying these strategies can make finding study motivation effortless.
