If you write a quick list of your tasks, it’ll lower the effort of making decisions, and you’ll find it easier to shift from one task to the next.
With the Pomodoro Technique, each 25-minute block is called a Pomodoro, and you can set another 5-minute timer for a quick break in between Pomodoros. If 25 minutes seems too short, feel free to keep working past the timer; the point is to get you started.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by a huge amount of homework and seemingly endless assignments. But rather than worrying, “How will I ever finish this assignment?” ask yourself, “How much of this assignment can I accomplish in 2 hours?” Instead of trying to read a whole book, set a goal you can accomplish in one sitting. For instance, read 1 chapter or 50 pages at a time. [6] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Business Review Online and print journal covering topics related to business management practices Go to source When prepping for a test, review your lecture notes from just the first week of the semester today, then focus your notes from the second week tomorrow.
When choosing a workspace, get rid of as many distractions as possible. [8] X Expert Source Jai FlickerAcademic Tutor Expert Interview. 20 May 2020. Face away from the fridge or the window if those things catch your attention. Sit at a separate table from your friend so you don’t bother each other too much. Consider making your study space warm and inviting so you look forward to spending time there. Decorate the walls with photos of you and your friends, place a cheerful house plant on your desk, and choose a comfy chair to sit in.
Have a snack, but shy away from snacking on too many sugary treats early on. Nobody likes a sugar crash! Save sweet treats until the last leg of your study marathon to give you a boost. If you decide to reward yourself with a quick break from studying, remember that you will eventually have to get back to work. Set a time limit for your break and don’t listen to the voice in your head pleading for “just a few more minutes. "
These activities will give you a burst of energy and will improve your mood. Plus they’ll help get your brain into a receptive state, which will make your studying more effective. [11] X Research source A little movement can help you build momentum that’ll lead you into a productive study session.
Set time limits to help yourself stay on track, and reward yourself by exploring interesting tangents after you’ve met your study goals.
The right music will help relax your mind and sharpen your focus. [13] X Research source Try modern takes on classical piano or solo guitar or tune into your favorite movie soundtrack. Speed things up with an electro-swing playlist or chill out with a mix of lo-fi beats. Search your favorite music app for playlists designed to help you focus on your work, like “Songs for Studying” or “Study Beats. ” You can also try “body-doubling” (working alongside someone else who is also working & letting their presence calm you) with the Lo-Fi Girl YouTube stream.
Make sure your study outfits don’t feel too much like your sleepwear or you might start to doze off.
Look for a tutor at your school or consult a private tutoring agency. In a study group, each person could volunteer to tackle a different sub-topic, then you could all share your study materials with each other. [16] X Research source Reserve a study room, bring snacks, or gamify your studying to make the work more enjoyable. Start working well ahead of time in case your peers fail to meet the group goals and to make sure you have time to brush up on certain subjects independently.
Rather than skimming vocab words from a PDF or textbook, rewriting the words and definitions in your own handwriting with a fun-colored pen might help you retain the information better.
If you’re hoping to attend college or earn a scholarship, think about how each small study session will get you 1 step closer to your dreams. Use your long-term goals as motivation to keep pushing yourself.
If you’re easily distracted but need to use a computer as a reading or research tool, consider printing out the material to help you stay on task. [22] X Research source If you need to use the computer solely as a word processor or PDF viewer, disconnect it from Wi-Fi or station yourself in a no-Wi-Fi zone so you’re not tempted to go online. When computer use isn’t necessary for your studies, turn yours off and stow it away.
Keep your phone out of sight so you won’t be tempted to keep taking a sneak peek.
Avoid studying right after a big meal; you’ll just feel drowsy and will want to relax. Don’t put off a meal as a reward, as your aching stomach will be distracting. Make sure you have a snack on hand to fend off your hunger. Avoid sugary vending machine snacks, fast food, and pastries; these foods will give you a short energy rush that quickly turns into sleepiness.
Think back to past study sessions that went especially well, and others that didn’t go well at all, to assess which factors help and hinder your progress. If you’re able to develop a personalized study system, studying will be a lot less stressful for you.
If the textbook’s section heading reads, “Anthropomorphic Themes in Fairy Tales,” your study question could be, “Can I describe the use of anthropomorphic themes in fairy tales?” Look online for study guide templates and examples as a starting point.
If it helps to vent to a friend, just make sure they’re willing to listen and you’re not going to distract them from their own studies.
Avoid comparing yourself to other classmates who seem to be doing well. Everyone learns and works differently, so focus on your own needs and capabilities! Using positive self-talk helps create a growth mindset that can help you overcome difficulties.
Telling yourself, “I’ll have to study sometime this week” will encourage procrastination, but “I’m going to study from 6 PM to 9 PM on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday” will help you stick to your plan. [34] X Research source Try sticking to a regular schedule, but feel free to break your usual routine if you need to shake things up. For instance, get a good night’s sleep and set your alarm for 7:00 AM to study on Sunday morning. It might be easier to get up and get started right away since you’ve planned it in advance. The more specific and intentional you can be about scheduling out your study tasks, the more success you’ll have with your studies and time management.
