Are you a student who procrastinates? Are you unsure of how to study each day, but know that it is important to put in the necessary effort every day? You’re not alone. It’s hard to stay motivated when faced with tons of tasks that seem like an endless mountain range. Unfortunately, studies have shown that approximately a third of all college students struggle with procrastination. It can lead to lower grades, poor motivation, and even the feeling of being overwhelmed by your studies. This article showcases tips to study for longer periods each day and maximize your motivation to keep yourself on track.
Understand Why You Procrastinate
Most individuals think they procrastinate because they are lazy, but this is only a small part of the problem. First, you need to understand why it is that you procrastinate. It may be related to your personality type or even your fear of failure (Narcissism). Other factors can contribute to your procrastination, such as a lack of work ethic, laziness, and fear of failure. You can easily overcome procrastination by understanding your specific personality type, as well as what you are afraid of.
Divide the material into smaller components
The number one reason you struggle with procrastination is that you do not break your material down into smaller chunks. For example, if you are asked to study for a test, it is easy to start reading the entire outline rather than read-only a specific chapter or paragraph. However, it is much easier to begin studying after reading the entire outline. By breaking down each chapter into its section, you can focus on only one topic at a time.
Do a self-assessment
As you are reading through the material, you should periodically look at how much of it you have already read. Doing a short self-assessment can help you determine how much of the material has been covered so far. It is also helpful to determine what sections of the text are most difficult for you. Once you know which chapters are less challenging, it will be easier to understand why reading each chapter is important and keep yourself motivated to study.
Reward yourself
Creating a reward system can help you stay focused throughout the whole process of reading the material. For example, once you complete a chapter, you can reward yourself by taking a short break and watching one episode of a favorite TV show. By rewarding your progress each time that you complete one section at a time, it is much easier to stay motivated to study throughout the process. It will also help keep you from feeling discouraged when you sit down to study each day.
Develop a study routine
By developing a consistent study routine, you can set aside time each day for the process of studying. Doing this makes it easier to stay focused and motivated while you do the work. Scheduling specific times during the day to study can also help you feel more prepared and organized. If you struggle with procrastination because of a lack of work ethic or laziness, having a regular routine can help keep your schedule organized, and your energy focused on completing all of your tasks.
Use mind maps
An easy way to break down the information you are reading is to create a mind map. However, to make this effective, you will need to invest in a good mind mapping tool. Mind Maps allow you to visually break down complex topics into very small pieces, making it easier to map out the chapters in your textbook. It can also help you better understand the material that you are reading.
Stop memorizing and understand the topic
You can easily become overwhelmed when studying because you memorize large amounts of information. To prevent this, you will need to understand how the material applies to you and apply it in your daily life. Avoid memorization by understanding the topics as a whole. By developing a firm grasp of what it means to be knowledgeable about a subject, you can retain more of the information you are studying.
Pomodoro Technique
Using the Pomodoro Technique can be extremely helpful when struggling to stay motivated. It is a simple time management method that allows you to focus on only one task at a time. You can also use apps for your computer, phone, or other devices.