Get yourself to study

As a person who has always been learning and studying, I have at times faced difficulties during studying. A keen observation has helped me identify roadblocks and get solutions. I have counselled many students, some facing depression, some who have lost hope, some who have difficulty studying. For those with learning disabilities, it is even harder. But don’t worry!

Here are some tactics that I believe work for everyone when they decide to start studying.

Essential points to start studying smoothly

1. Motivation: Understand that no one ever really wants to study because course books are boring with less pictures and less interesting when it comes to theory and history. At such times, pushing yourself to even start with the 1^st chapter seems difficult as you have already made up your mind that it is going to be hard. Instead, try telling yourself that, ‘You don’t have to complete it all today itself. You just have to start!’

2. Set a time table: This will ensure that you are aware of the number of subjects, chapters, sections you need to study and how long each one will take. Now sit down and chalk down the entire schedule of what to study, when and for how long.

3. Use Pomodoro technique: This technique of time management helps you start to study and get in the flow with least number of distractions. This pattern especially while studying would surely be so helpful. https://francescocirillo.com/pages/pomodoro-technique

Steps to follow the technique:

• Decide upon a task to take up.

• Set the timer for 25 mins (You can increase in case you know your capacity)

• Work on the task without any other distraction

• Stop when the Timer rings

• If you want to continue working then take the 5 minute break and start working on the next task

• After 4 Pomodoros (equal to 4 tasks) are done, take a 15- 20 minute break.

4. Goals: Remember this when studying, whenever you decide to set a goal for yourself make sure you are setting your goals according to the S-M-A-R-T Technique. This will help ensure your goals are realistic.

5. Start with baby steps: When you are at the starting point of the game, you don’t know how to begin and where it will lead you. This almost demotivates you from doing anything because your mind has already given up looking at the burden. Hence, start small. If you have a goal, divide it into smaller goals and try to achieve each one. When you achieve smaller goals, it helps you create self confidence and builds hope.

6. Kind of learner: Peer groups are sometimes a good way to learn but you would want to decide for yourself if that works for you. Some people while studying need absolute silence. It may not work for those people. Also, some may be visual learners while some are auditory. Some may like to write to remember while others may want to walk around while reading. Everyone is a different learner. Know and choose the style that works for you.

7. Buffer time: When you set a time table for yourself give yourself some slack on it too. You deserve to take breaks and at the same time you are bound to fail and make mistakes hence make sure to leave some buffer time before the set due date in case something goes wrong. Buffer time also helps in last minute preparations.

8. You might need a professional or an opinion of a senior person to help you tackle certain difficulties. Many can start swiftly when supported by someone and then you are on your own. Do not hesitate to do so. Asking for help does not mean you have something lacking in you.

9. Identify procrastination: Many a times the issue may not just be motivation but procrastination that goes hand in hand. Identifying it is essential so that it can be taken care of before your start studying.

10. When there is a setback: At such times, remind yourself that it may not be working for you simply because you may have done something wrong. Correct it and move on. Don’t let a small setback make you hopeless. You need to recall times when you did it even when things were against you.

11. Imagine good: When you have fear of failure or mistakes, it does not let you move. Infact it holds you back with all kinds of negative thoughts. To get rid of this situation, start imagining yourself in a good scenario. Imagine yourself completing all your tasks on time or imagine yourself succeeding or getting great grades.

12. Distractions: Distractions hold us back from doing what we need. We end up doing something that we like but is not our current need. At such times, pull that trigger and take charge. If your distractions are your problem, then use them as a weapon to get the solution. You could use these distractions to give yourself the motivation, every time you achieve or complete a given task.

13. Build an environment to study: Any time you are studying, it means. that you are not just reading but comprehending enough so that you can store that knowledge in your brain to be retrieved later on. In such conditions, you need a space to study that has least distraction, less noise, a well ventilated room with good light and a place where you choose to only study and not do other tasks.

14. Use learning strategies: Some learning techniques like mind mapping, chunking, etc; not just make you remember well but also help make studies fun. Strategies are used so that your tasks become easier not only while studying but also while recalling.

15. Peer group study: Many a times, when there are people around you who are studying, it motivates you to study too. Sometimes you only do it for competition while other times you do it because you adore the opposite person. Choose wisely where you stand.

16. Watch what you eat: Nutrition has a positive correlation with our brain and its memory. Some food items are especially recommended by the professionals to be eaten to improve your memory. When I talk about watching what you eat, I am not necessarily focusing on memory but also on your mental and physical health.

17. Exercise & meditate: It is well known that your mind goes blank and is not able to think right, when faced with a crisis or while experiencing disturbing emotions. Hence, a calm mind is the best time to study. Calming acts like a sponge when the question is about understanding while reading.

So many tactics and such simple ones, will definitely make you start studying and motivate you enough to take your first step. So get going and start to study!