You’re sitting at your desk, textbooks open or laptop glowing, and you just can’t make yourself focus on the task at hand. Maybe you’re tired, maybe you’re bored, or maybe you’re just plain procrastinating. Whatever the reason, we’ve all been there.
Final exams are right around the corner and odds are that high school and university students are feeling very overwhelmed worrying about good grades and their mental health. It’s critical to find an effective way to squeeze in the appropriate amount of study hours while still feeling like they still have some free time on the calendar.
What To Do When You Don’t Feel Like Studying
So what do you do when you just don’t feel like studying? First, try to take a step back and figure out why you don’t want to study. Are you feeling overwhelmed? Do you not understand the material? Is it just not interesting to you? Once you identify the root of the problem, it will be easier to find a solution.
Break Up Content Into Smaller Chunks
The best way to combat an overloaded schedule is to divvy up the important tasks and create study sessions where you can commit hours to each subject. You don’t have to study for hours on end; 20-30 minutes of focused, concentrated work can be just as effective.
Make a study schedule for yourself and stick to it, taking breaks when you need them. It’s also a good idea to make sure you’re not trying to bite off more than you can chew. If a certain topic is giving you trouble, move on to something else and come back to it later. Take a deep breath and return when you are in a better mental state.
Find New Ways To Learn Original Material
If you’re bored with the material, try finding new and interesting ways to learn it. There are countless websites, apps, and games that can make learning fun. Or try teaching the material to someone else; explaining things out loud often helps us better understand them ourselves. This is the best approach for topics that you can’t seem to crack and that are taking up too much time out of your schedule.
Start A Study Group
If you’re having trouble understanding the material, try starting or joining a study group. Working with other people can help clarify things and give you different perspectives on the material. You can also try asking your professor or a teaching assistant for help. Make study groups part of your study routine
Head To A Coffee Shop
Feeling stuck and in need of a little break? Sometimes all you need is a change of scenery or a breath of fresh air. If you’re finding it hard to focus at home, try heading to a local coffee shop or library. A lot of people get rejuvenated when they change their study area environment. The new surroundings can help jump-start your brain and get you into a studying mindset.
Get Some Light Exercise
Another way to get your brain going is to get your body moving. A light workout or some simple stretching can help increase blood flow and improve focus. Just be sure not to overdo it; you don’t want to be so exhausted that you can’t focus on studying at all. You can take a walk around the block, find a YouTube channel that offers a 5-minute routine, or simply do something on your own. There are so many different ways to get the blood flowing.
Get Off Social Media
If you find yourself getting distracted by social media, turn your phone off or log out of your account. Once you’re off, focus on getting some work done. You can always check social media again when you take a break. Falling down the rabbit hole that is the Internet can lead to low motivation. It’s best to avoid it at all costs.
Give Yourself A Reward
Finally, one of the best motivators is a little bit of positive reinforcement. When you finish studying, give yourself a small treat – go for a walk, play some video games, enjoy your favorite snack, call a friend, or watch an episode of your favorite show. Whatever it is, make sure it’s something you’ll actually enjoy. This will help create a positive association with studying and make it more likely that you’ll want to do it again in the future.
Turn On Classical Music
If you need some background noise to focus, try turning on classical music. Studies have shown that classical music can improve cognitive performance and memory. So put on your favorite symphony and get to work!
If you don’t like classical music, then decide if turning on your favorite music is the right move. You don’t want a distraction – remember that. Some people often turn to YouTube videos that emulate the sounds of a busy cafe. Anything to deaden the silence.
Clean Your Study Table
A cluttered desk can be a real life major distraction. If your study space is a mess, take some time to tidy it up before you start working. This will help you focus on the task at hand and make it easier to find what you need when you need it. Try to have your desk cleaned before your studying session begins. The last thing you need to do is spend hours cleaning your room when you should be focusing on a study session. Your hard work should be concentrated on the different subjects in school – not supply organization.
Set A Timer
If you’re having trouble getting started, try setting a timer for a certain amount of time and work until it goes off. Once you get going, it will be easier to keep going. And if you find that you’re still struggling after the timer goes off, take a break and try again later.
Top 5 Time Management Tips For Studying Students
- Make a schedule – One of the best ways to make time for studying is to create a schedule and stick to it.
- Set a daily goal – Decide how many hours you want to study each day, and make sure you stick to that goal.
- Take breaks – It’s important to take breaks while studying, especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed.
- Find a study buddy – Having someone to study with can help keep you accountable and motivated.
- Create a positive study environment – Your study environment can have a big impact on how well you focus and retain information. If you’re trying to study in a noisy or cluttered environment, it’s going to be tough to get anything done.
No matter what the reason is, there are always ways to make studying less painful. It’s important to find what works best for you and stick to it. The most important thing is to keep at it; even when you don’t feel like it, push through and get the job done.