8 tips on getting started
Getting started is the hardest part of studying. Once you’re ‘in the flow’ it’s usually easier to keep going, but to sit down, open that book and get to work is the most difficult task. Here are my eight tips to overcome starting anxiety.
1. Organise your study spot. You’ve probably already heard this before, but a messy desk is one of the least motivating things. Do a big desk decluttering and try to keep it that way.
2. Use the pomodoro technique. 25 minutes study, 5 minutes break. In this way you’ll know that in 25 minutes that break is coming, whether you’ve finished that chapter or not. Not only can this motivate you to buckle down for 25 minutes, it also makes sure you don’t overwork yourself by forgetting to take breaks.
I love to use the Pomotodo app, which combines a Pomodoro timer with to do lists. Plus you can change the time of study sessions.
3. Pretty stationary. This seems so stupid. ‘Oh, that’s just your excuse to buy yet ANOTHER notebook’. But no, having five sets of coloured pens and twenty backup notebooks and a drawer full of post its, really made me want to study.
4. Studyblr. Okay, this seems stupid as well, but I made a completely new Tumblr account on which I follow studyblrs only. I set it on my mobile app and opening it is one of the first thing I do in the morning. Having all those ambitious studying people on your dash will motivate you to move your ass too.
5. Start with the easiest. Sometimes it’s best to start with the hardest, because otherwise you keep procrastinating that part. But sometimes the hardest is so hard it keeps you from starting at all. When I find myself completely unmotivated to start, I try to start with the shortest chapter, the simplest assignment, or the most INTERESTING TOPIC. (see 6)
6. Become interested. There are two ways to do this. The first is “If I study this topic, I will later be able to use that information in that situation.” (eg. in your dream profession) The second is “I only know this and this about this topic, but it would be cool if I also knew that.” This doesn’t work for everyone, but I think it’s word the try.
7. Set a daily goal and stick to it. Eg. “Today I revise chapter 2 & 3”. Do nothing less and nothing more. If you’re already done with that at 4pm, good for you! You deserved this night off. Another example. “Today I will set up an outline for my essay.” Don’t write the introduction, don’t elaborate on all points.
If you know that when it’s done, it’s really done, it will be easier to start.
8. Make sure you’re comfortable. Clothes, clean hair, nice background music or silence, proper chair, proper light, etcetera. Simple, but important.
