Written by Janey, Teen Volunteer
Halifax Public Libraries' Teen Blog is written by and for teens. Discover more posts here.
Studying is often glamourized as something that can be done so easily and is often presented as a simple skill. The truth is, the "simple skill" of studying takes more time, work, and practice than most people think. Studying for a test, revising for exams, or even just studying and doing assignments, used to seem like such a stress-inducing task that I did not look forward to. I used to have absolutely no motivation when it came to studying or working on a project, especially when school started to take place online.
However, I always wanted to feel motivated and longed to feel productive, instead of feeling guilty for not getting any studying done nor having the motivation. So, when a new semester of school started, I forced myself to be consistent in my studying as well as working on my assignments. I found it quite difficult to get back into the groove of studying as I would often fall back into my old study habits of leaving everything until the last minute, which caused the quality of my academic performance to decline. I started to look for new ways to keep myself from falling behind and gain motivation as well as determination to keep going. What I discovered really did help me to overcome my slump of being unmotivated, and it increased my academic performance as well.
So, in hopes of inspiring other people, I have gathered some of my favourite study tips and tricks that will, hopefully, help you too!
1. Make a checklist
Making a simple checklist of all of your tasks and assignments that need to be done, or topics needing to be covered may seem like an unnecessary, or unproductive use of your time, but making such a list can help you come to terms with all the things that have to be accomplished. You could even add small trivial tasks, like tidying your desk, just to get the satisfaction of crossing it off your checklist.
2. Make a schedule
Creating a schedule for yourself helps you stay on track of your tasks, and you will gain a sense of routine. Since you are making your own schedule, you have the freedom to adjust each task according to how you want your day to run. Having a schedule gives you the satisfaction of feeling productive, and you can plan/organize your day to get a preview of what needs to be done, which is always a good start to keeping yourself motivated.
3. Study groups
Organize a study group to work together on assignments or to revise your notes, because studying can get very lonely and isolating. Working with a group can help you learn additional information about your subject and you can also get help with questions, you might have, that popped up while studying. Another benefit to having a study group is that you don’t feel as alone in this struggle because losing motivation to study is a lot more common than most people think. Working with others can ease your concerns and boost your confidence in the knowledge of your topics.
4. Take breaks
Studying consistently is always a good habit to maintain, but studying for too long can often lead to burnout, thus losing your will to study. Set aside some time to take breaks when you study or do your homework, to give yourself some rest. Make sure to take time to get away from the stress and put your mind at ease. For me, I like to use my break time to make a snack, or to take a walk around the neighbourhood, but whatever I do, I make sure to do something that is beneficial to my well-being and mental health.
5. Have fun with your notes
Writing notes seems like such a hassle, however I feel like you should make the most out of your notes since it will be your guide for study revisions. Use bold colours, don’t be afraid to make big bright titles, and truly just have fun with them. Try using a colour scheme to help organize your thoughts and reoccurring themes. Do what is most beneficial for you, because you’re the only one who will be using the notes, so as long as you understand/recognize the information from your notes, that’s really all that matters.
Remember, everyone's approach to studying is different. People have different ways of motivating themselves, and it does take some time to find the studying style that works best for you. However, you are not alone because many people experience burnout, so it’s important to be gentle on yourself, and to move at your own pace.
About the writer
I'm Janey Yoo and I am a teen volunteer for the Library. I’m initially a shy person but once you get to know me, I'm typically loud and talkative. A random fact about me is when I'm watching Netflix, I prefer watching movies over TV. I quickly get bored so it’s really rare for me to find a show I will watch all the way through.