Just some study tips that I like to use, and thought maybe other people would find helpful!
1. Re-write your notes in ācasual formā
This is probably the method I use the most, just because I find it funny. Basically what I do is I write a summary version of my notes, but I write it in the same way I would speak if I was trying to explain this topic to a friend. When your notes say: āDavid Hym used Faeries to Explain the theory of Monetary Neutrality in the 17th centuryā you re-write āOur 17th century homie Ā David H had a slight fetish with Faeries, but thatās his own business. All we care about is the fact that price be change if money supply be changing.ā This method can take a little bit longer, but I do find that it makes your notes more interesting to look over later. And more importantly, it really helps you remember things because your are rewriting it in your own words. Everyone says the best way to learn something is to teach it, so imagine you are teaching a friend over a beer, you wouldnāt explain it in casual structural form, you would explain it how you would talk. Honestly I rewrite my notes a lot for studying purposes, and this method is probably the most beneficial. It summaries everything as well as put it into your own words, and the best part is that its kinda funny!
I always find that I feel more āstudy aestheticā when I my nails are painted. I know this sounds kind of strange, but when my nails are painted I automatically feel like typing on my computer is better, and my handwriting is more aesthetically pleasing. I just feel like a more composed and accomplished person overall. I cant really explain it, and honestly its probably just because I never really have my nails painted, but hey it doesnāt hurt to try if you find you are lacking motivation.
3. Use your music playlist and as a timer
No matter what type of music you listen to, I recommend making your own playlist. The reason I suggest doing this is because you can use your playlist as a timer! I find that when I have a timer app on my phone, I check it WAY to many times, seeing how much time is left, did I turn the volume up, ect. BUT if you make a playlist, filled with instrumental music for example, and then every 5-8 songs, you input a song with lyrics, you know that songs with lyrics are your break time! So, as soon as the instrumental fades out, and your 1-3 lyric songs come on, you know its free time! And once the lyrics end, its time to get back to work. You can literally shut your phone off if you use your laptop for music, and you wont be tempted to check a timer every 10 minutes to make sure you didnāt miss the break time alarm!
4. Download the āGet Shit Doneā App
This app is wonderful because it literally just sets a time limit for you to get some shit done. Although I prefer a Pomodoro type clock for normal studying, if I have something to get done (An essay, a set of notes) that I am seriously procrastinating, I find this app helpful. All you do is set a time limit, set a reward and a punishment, and decide if you get breaks or not. As soon as you hit start, you have to complete the task in the allotted time period, otherwise the app sends you a mean message and the punishment you decide is put on the screen. This app is good for when you need to just DO something, but your motivation is -2. I find the allotted time period helps me overcome procrastination in a way that Pomodoro cannot.
5. Listen to Disney Music
The third tip in this post was to use your playlist as a timer, so going off that, I thought I would talk about type of music that I enjoy listening to while studying.
I am a huge nerd. no shame. And as much as I enjoy studying listening to movie soundtracks or video game soundtracks, I find that what I like the most is Disney Land music soundtracks. I know that sounds super lame, but honestly the music that Disney Land plays in its ride ques is so awesome for studying because its happy, and upbeat, and it makes you feel less like you are dying. Also the music is not so intense you are freaking out (Video Game soundtracks for me) or so calm that you are falling asleep (Classical music for me) is just a nice, happy, in between. This is the playlist I use - its nice because it has some ride tracks mixed in, so I find that I study while the instrumental tracks are on, and the lyrical ride tracks are my breaks.
2087
snowghoul
stormborns
janainaart
gummygunk
origamiaround
