As college students, I’m sure most of us struggle with finding the right time and resources for effective studying. Distracting environments, procrastination, and not getting proper rest are just a few things that can lead us to having poor study habits. If you’re looking for ways to change the way you take on a study ‘sesh,’ try these three tips!
1. Customize your environment
When it comes to creating the best environment to study, it’s all up to you. The first step would be finding the right place. Whether it’s your dorm, your living room, or the library, you must find yourself relaxed and comfortable so that you can focus. Try not to get too comfortable though, because you might end up waking up in a pile of your books! The next step would be to get rid of anything that’s distracting. This might include your phone or TV. It’s so much harder to study if you’re constantly checking your phone every time it buzzes. The next step to creating your perfect environment is deciding if some background music would help or hurt. A lot of people study better when they have music playing in their ears. I would recommend instrumental music if you want to be the least distracted, but everyone works differently. Check out “Deep Focus” on Spotify!
2. Plan your schedule accordingly
If you don’t have a set time to do your work or study, you may find yourself procrastinating your study session. Try finding a time where you have nothing to do, and tell yourself prior that you will study then. Doing this makes it feel like more of an “official” commitment or plan, which might make you more willing to do it. If you need to write it down in a planner to remember, do so. You can even set a reminder on your phone if that’s easier for you. Either way, make sure you carve out some planned study time. If you keep putting off your studying, you may find yourself cramming the day before the test. Coming from someone who’s done that, it doesn’t work! Instead, study for at least 30 minutes a day, you may notice some differences. Only you know how much time you’ll need to study for each class, so plan accordingly.
3. Stay well rested
We all have busy schedules, but do your best to try and go to sleep early. Your body needs rest for proper memory function, so if you want to perform your best, make sure you’re getting at least 7 hours of sleep every night. As much as we all love a good nap, make sure you’re not napping the day away. When you take naps that last hours, you’re more likely to feel groggy afterwards. The perfect amount of time for an effective nap is anywhere around 10-30 minutes. Afterwards, you’re more likely to feel refreshed and less sleepy.
Once you’ve tried all these tips, you may notice that you feel more inclined to study. Creating a lifestyle where you’re in control is the best way to succeed. This doesn’t just go for studying though, try these tips out to maximize your time and energy.