Studying isn’t always a fun activity. Natalie Portman once said, “I love to learn, but I hate to study.” This quote has been on my brain for some years now, for I believe that it says a lot about me. I love to learn, I love to know random and boring facts that no one cares about, and I love to break silences with weird questions. But I hate to study. I hate to be stuck in my bedroom reading the same article over and over again. I hate to know that I would love this subject if I wasn’t under pressure to know it. But it is our job, and, as any other job, there are always things we don’t like but have to put up with. And let’s be honest… It feels so good when you leave your last test and can go celebrate in McDonald’s.

TIME

We have all heard the quote: “You should start studying in advance instead of leaving it to the day before the test.” The time one needs to study before a test depends on the person, on the subject, and on the level of familiarity with the subject itself. If you feel comfortable around a subject and you understand the concepts, you may not need as much time to study. However, if you have some difficulties on the subject, take more of your time to study it. When I look back, I realize that my time spent studying increased; but, then again, so did the responsibilities and the level of difficulty.

So, when planning a schedule, make sure to take the following into consideration: the subject’s difficulty, your familiarity with it, your level of concentration, and the amount of things you have to study. You do not want to leave 100 pages to study for the day before your test. Believe me.

ORGANIZATION

Now that you know the amount of time you will be spending studying that subject, it’s time for you to organize your desk. I am not talking about re-decorating your desk. I am talking about organizing the papers you have to read/study. I find it easy to organize them by the date of the class they were taught so I can relate what’s in the book to what I wrote in my notebook. If you have additional readings, it may be a good idea to take off some time to write down the most important aspects of those readings. It will save you money and help you study.

BREAKS

Now this is the best part of a studying session. Whether you decide to eat, to go on Twitter, to dance like a crazy hyena, or to simply stare out your window, breaks are essential in a study session. The duration of the break is arguable. Some people say 5 minutes is enough while others claim that a 20-minute break is the best choice. I say you adapt it to yourself, but be reasonable with your decision.

Some people say they don’t like to take breaks because that is wasted time. However, breaks are important (and not just because you can be lazy). If you study for long hours, your brain will get “tired” and you will recognize it in your memory. By taking a break, you will give your brain a chance to store the information it has just received in a more efficient way. So, be sure to take a break every once in a while. I would say a break every 2 or 3 hours is good.

STUDYING PARTNERS

Some people like to study with friends while some would rather be alone. There is not a better option in this matter because it truly depends on the person we are talking about. Don’t feel bad if you feel more comfortable alone than with others. It is completely normal, and your concentration is more important. I am sure your peers will understand. Also, this may change depending on the subject we are talking about. You may want to study maths with your friends, but you may feel like you need to study English by yourself. Respect your choices, for you will be thankful on the day of the test.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS

Now that you have crossed off these aspects from your “How to get motivation to study?” list, here are some final aspects that you should take into consideration. First of all, make sure that you drink loads of water and that you don’t starve yourself. Yes, it is important that you know Newton’s laws of motion, but it is also important to feed yourself. So, every time you take a break (or every two breaks), make sure to eat something, even if it’s just a snack.

Second, do not stay up all night to study. Although it may seem like a good idea at first, your brain will get its revenge. In fact, it is good to sleep before an exam; your brain will take this time to store all the information. Believe me, you will be happy with this decision. So, go to bed early and have a good night of sleep.

If you have any doubts, don’t be afraid of asking your peers. They may be in the same situation, and they might share a nice trick to avoid forgetting that specific concept. Also, I love, love, love to come up with funny tricks and examples to remember things. It makes it easier for me to remember information, and it is always fun.

On the day of your test, be sure you have a good breakfast. If possible, meet your friends and have a good laugh with them. It will help your nerves go away.

 

Good luck!