You probably consider studying an annoying obligation, but you can learn to love it and thus improve your experience. Study in a comfortable place and change your environment from time to time. Find fellow students you get along with and make it a social activity. Reduce stress by taking regular breaks and rewarding yourself for your hard work. You will soon love studying more than any of your classmates!
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Choose a Comfortable Environment
Step 1. Choose a quiet place where you can stay focused
It is usually best to study where there is silence so that you can concentrate. There are many suitable places to study, both at home and outside.
- Your bedroom can be the ideal environment. Just make sure you have a desk, as studying in bed may cause you to fall asleep.
- If you don't have a desk in your room, try studying on the kitchen table or at a desk you use for your home computer. Ask your family members to speak softly.
- Try going to the library. Public, school, or university libraries often have tables in quiet environments where you can study. You may also be able to book a study room for a few hours.
- Some people study better with light background noise. If you think this can help you, try taking your books to a coffee shop.
Step 2. Keep the area where you study clean
Dirt and clutter can distract and discourage you, making the experience less pleasant. Clean your desk or the place where you have decided to study and tidy up the materials you need. Make sure you have space to arrange all the books and make the most of it.
Step 3. Eliminate distractions
To get the most out of your studio, make sure nothing will bother you. Turn off the television, radio, computer and put away the phone, comics and video games. You will be able to appreciate the study if you let yourself be completely involved in the text.
If you're using your computer to study, try installing an app on your browser, such as FocusMe or Freedom, to filter out sites that can distract you
Step 4. Change study location
When you get the chance, study elsewhere. Take your books or laptop to a relaxing environment, such as a cafe, park or the beach. By studying in a pleasant place you will feel in a good mood and your time spent on books will seem less monotonous.
If you get distracted easily while studying, go to the library or some other isolated spot so you can work without interruption
Method 2 of 4: Make Things More Interesting
Step 1. Use colored materials to study
Have fun with books using colorful and vibrant objects to take notes and write down your ideas. These include pen and paper, cards, stickers, highlighters and post-its. By adding color to the study you will make it more fun and you will activate the creative part of the brain, better memorizing the notions you learn.
Step 2. Listen to background music while you study
Atmospheric music makes the study experience more enjoyable and stimulates your brain without distracting you. Try classical music or a movie soundtrack. Play the song at medium volume and avoid those that are too loud or busy, otherwise you will lose focus.
Step 3. Watch instructional videos
Studying from books and class notes can be boring, so improve your learning by watching videos on the topics that interest you. Videos are very effective teaching tools, because they engage the student and improve understanding. Look for reputable videos, making sure that:
- They are made by experts in that specific field of study (for example a health video made by a doctor).
- They mention third-party sources of the information they share, either within the video or in its description.
- They are manufactured or approved by an institution with a good reputation.
Step 4. Draw pictures of the study topics and notes
Thanks to the drawings you will be able to learn the material better and avoid getting bored during the study. Instead of just reading or rewriting your notes, create an image that represents the information.
- For example, if you are studying biology, draw pictures of cells and organisms. Complete the drawings by marking the names of all the parts you need to study.
- If you are studying literature, create a comic inspired by the main events of the novel or short story.
- If you are studying economics or politics, you can make a trend chart of the subject studied.
Step 5. Write a song about your notes so you can remember them better
This fun activity can help you memorize information better. Write the song, then try it a couple of times in your head. To make it easier for you, you can use the melody of a famous song.
For example, turn math formulas into a song, or sing the names of historical figures in chronological order
Method 3 of 4: Studying with Other People
Step 1. Find fellow students with habits similar to yours
Make friends with your classmates and ask what method they use to study. Look for a partner who studies at the same time you do and who learns in a similar way to yours. Invite him to study with you sometime and you will be able to make the experience less alienating and boring.
- For example, if you prefer to study in the library at night, look for a study partner who does the same.
- Ask your schoolmates how they study, saying something like, "To be able to study well, I always need to sit in the library. How do you do it?"
- Avoid studying with friends or classmates who always distract you.
Step 2. Study by questioning your partner
Talk to him about the material so you get a new perspective and understand it better. Question him about the course content to see what he understood and ask him if he can do the same with you. You can turn it into a fun game by calculating the points and answering the questions as quickly as possible.
Ask him questions similar to those of an oral exam, and when finished, check together for correct answers
Step 3. Start a study group
Gather a group of fellow students who share a common goal, such as studying for an important exam. Set the times of the meetings, which must take place in a place that suits everyone, such as the study room of a library. Make the most of the advantage of having a group by dividing tasks and working with your mates to solve the most difficult problems.
- Studying with a group of people is a great way to tackle topics you don't understand or don't like.
- The social aspect of group meetings will make studying more enjoyable. Plus, they're great opportunities to make new friends.
Method 4 of 4: Give yourself breaks and rewards
Step 1. Make regular breaks during your study period
For each hour of study, relax for 10 minutes. Breaks lower your stress levels and help you memorize what you've read. If you study with peers, the breaks help to counteract that feeling of isolation that can arise from time spent on books.
- Use a clock or alarm to keep time while you study.
- You can use breaks to do short activities, like going to the bathroom, getting something to eat, or calling a friend.
Step 2. Take a short walk during breaks to prevent sleepiness
If studying makes you sleepy, moving around can help you be more alert. Instead of surfing the internet during breaks, get up from your desk. Stretch and run in place, then take a short 5-minute walk around the room.
Step 3. Reward yourself at regular intervals during the study
Before you get into the books, decide on a few times when you will reward yourself for the hard work. You can establish them based on the time spent studying or the topics covered. Decide on the rewards in advance, whether it's for sweets or fun activities.
- Pick a reward that doesn't keep you busy for too long.
- For example, you could reward yourself after two hours of studying by watching a 30-minute episode of your favorite sitcom.
- If you decide to reward yourself with a snack, choose something healthy and energy-giving, such as fruit, vegetables, whole-grain crackers, cheese, yogurt, or almonds.
Step 4. Break the material into smaller pieces to avoid too much mental fatigue
Storing too much information at once can make you feel overwhelmed. Instead, separate your notes into smaller sections. Whenever you master a topic, you will feel very satisfied!
- For example, instead of trying to memorize all the equations in a chapter, just focus on 1 or 2 at a time. Add more once you have perfectly memorized the first ones.
- If you are studying history, divide your notes by events, historical figures, and period. For example, you might study 10 years at a time or focus on the consequences of just one historical event.
- You can decide to take a break once you have completed one of these smaller sections. This way you will be able to rest while learning the material.
Step 5. Establish rewards for long-term goals
To encourage you to reach higher milestones, plan out rewards that you truly care about for your hard work. For example, if you study all weekend for an exam and manage to memorize the entire schedule, reward yourself with tickets to a concert the following week. By having an incentive in mind while you study, the whole process will be much more enjoyable.
