How to Overcome a Studying Slump
Also known as procrastination, inertia, laziness, lack of motivation, or revision slump [for those of you who speak British English] (note: there are many causes! & it is always good to address your mental health first of all)
Find some motivation: That may be sourced from a famous figure, someone you know personally, social media personality, the studyblr community, or even just encouraging words. Briefly write out a list of reasons why that person inspires you or a list of quotes that inspire you. (If this step seems hard, compare your situation with people today [and of the past] who are restricted from going to school at all…do it for those who don’t even have your opportunities)
Find purpose in your work. You may not care about the particular subject you are studying but think about what you can gain from knowing that information regardless (better brainpower, random trivia knowledge, better grades, or you may discover an interest in an adjacent field). If the subject is in line with your dreams, keep that in perspective with visualizations.
Face the facts. Studying does work. That time you scored 95% when you didn’t study (whereas you got a 75% after studying another time) was a fluke…a mere coincidence.
Get your mind focused: Social media can wait. Your school drama will pass but your regret of not studying for your midterm will linger. The fear of failing your next test can only be defied if you do something to prevent it. Now, create YOUR perfect studying atmosphere (this requires you knowing yourself very well). Put away your phone (or put it on “Do not disturb” or turn it off or give it to someone else for a bit…whatever works for you). Put on music (I recommend classical or “lo fi beats to study/relax to”) or create silence or go somewhere with lots of chatter. Then, write out a detailed list of all the ideas that you need to review and check them off as you go!
Find a method that works for you. You have to know if you learn better from visual/spatial (make mindmaps/study guides/graphic organizers + use different colors or fonts + get comfortable with the layout of your textbook + mind palace technique), auditory/verbal (listen to material on the subject/record your lectures if possible + vocalize it back + converse with people with a proficiency in the subject + feynman technique + mnemonics), kinesthetic (review while doing another activity eg. bouncing a ball + flashcards + take notes + don’t allow yourself to sit for too long) or interpersonal cues (study groups/tutoring sessions/labs + act out the material for others + teach someone else + recall what happened in class when you learned a certain topic). Generally, writing the information will work if your test will be on paper or vocalizing your ideas if you are preparing a presentation/speech/debate. Study in a group only if you learn better that way (if you get too distracted or find that the review is never at a good pace for you, either write out notes & questions before and address them in the group AND/OR just teach the material to a stuffed animal or someone with limited knowledge on the topic).
Make it fun. Use a color coding system with your highlighters. Use a new app (Memrise instead of Quizlet). Make a cute study guide. Make a song out of your material. Watch videos on Youtube with the content. Find things to laugh at in your textbook. Make mnemonics so ridiculous that you have to remember them (take inspiration from whoever created “Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally”…I always wanted to know what poor Aunt Sally did).
Give yourself rewards. Eat a few pieces of a snack (I recommend something which is good for your brain: walnuts, dark chocolate, avocado, pumpkin seeds, blueberries) once you reach a milestone (eg. 4 pgs of reading, 1 page of study guide, every 20 mins). Or watch a few minutes of your favorite show after every interval (caution: don’t forget about your studies!) or if you don’t trust yourself that much…watch a video from studytube. Or promise yourself things after the study session is throughly completed (eg. time out with friends, a mini spa night, takeout…i don’t recommend anything too expensive).
Know your limits. BURNOUT IS POSSIBLE. Trust me. Make sure that you are still getting time for non-academic fun and getting time outside as well. YOUR BODY WAS NOT DESIGNED TO STUDY FOR DAYS ON END. If you do have a longer study session make sure to keep hydrated & energized with water and food (and not too much caffeine).
Now, once all that has been established, make it a daily (or nearly daily) habit. Study as soon as you learn something new. Exercise that muscle of yours [your brain]. Your 5 hours study session will be a thing of the past. Only needing 2 hours now, you will be afforded an extra 3 hours to watch Netflix, cook, draw, go to the gym, go to the beach, take a nap, take a bath, or make a study schedule with + for a friend who recently experienced burnout.
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