Welcome back to that time of the year when you’re wondering why you’ve been dealing with midterms for the past 4 weeks. Your mental strength and grades are declining, and you don’t know how you’re going to make it to Thanksgiving, let alone Christmas. Rest assured, I have compiled a list of my favorite study tips that I am now generously sharing with you. My goal is to give you tips to help you study efficiently and practically, as well as decrease your anxiety through the process.
Tip #1: Make a Game Plan
A game plan is helpful whether you’re studying for an exam, doing a group project, or even getting through your Canvas to-do list. A game plan should clearly lay out the specific assignments you’re completing or the concepts you’re studying. However, the game plan has to be more specific than a long to-do list. For example, if I was studying for an exam starting at 11:00 AM I would look at my study guide with all my concepts and allot time for each one to spread out the information and keep myself accountable. Let’s say you have to work in smaller chunks when it comes to assignments: do a couple questions, sentences, or problems at a time to decrease the daunting nature of a long to-do list.
Tip #2: The Most Worthwhile Goals are Outside Your Comfort Zone
While we have romanticized studying through social media by showing an aesthetically pleasing area with a cute coffee and friends, the reality is that studying is just not that enjoyable (unless you’re a little crazy). Unfortunately, getting the grades you want can be outside your comfort zone and studying can be painful. Remember it will eventually be worth it when you are not totally lost on your test!
Tip #3: Set a Timer
A lot of us see the time just pass us by as we’re studying and become perplexed when three hours are gone, and we’ve done practically no work. The next tip I have to offer is to track your work. Set up a timer and dedicate a true 30 minutes to whatever you’re working on— without distractions. That means turn off your phone or put on Do Not Disturb! Then, reward yourself and allot a 5-minute brain break. A consistent productive 30 minutes is more beneficial than an hour of work on and off with distractions. Make a goal of how many sessions of effective work you want to achieve and stick to it without faltering! Tracking this progress and seeing an end goal helps motivate you to study more and finish the task.
Tip #4: Meditate
Completing work is obviously a toll on the brain, so getting your mindset right with meditation is crucial for a study sesh! There are a multitude of valuable meditations on Spotify, Calm app, and even YouTube. Giving your brain that factory reset allows it to eliminate the stressors, worries, and distractions that may be prohibiting you from achieving your goals. A meditation does not have to be long either; 5 minutes is all you need to detoxify your mind and provide motivation for you to complete your work.
Tip #5: Write Away Your Distractions
I get it. We’re college students; there is a whole world going on outside while we’re studying. All I can think about when I’m studying is what I’m missing out on, giving me serious FOMO. We all have distractions, but it’s up to us to set those aside and prioritize our work. “How” do you ask? While you’re studying, set aside a blank paper where you’re able to jot down your emerging and rampant thoughts that keep you away from calculus. After writing down these fly away notions, feel them escape your brain and put you back on track. When you’re done with homework, go back and address those thoughts.
I hope all of you have an amazing quarter/semester that is made just a smidge easier by these study tips! College is supposed to be difficult, otherwise everyone would be attending. Keep in mind you are capable, intellectual, and resourceful. No matter how big the assignment, test, or project, utilizing these tips can help make these major assignments less daunting.