When students think learning – they think a sentence of punishment. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Follow these learning strategies to put the ease into studying.
Study something that interests you
At the top of your list of learning strategies to lesson the burden of studying; should be what you choose to study in college. How to decide what to study in college comes down to identifying a career that will nurture your talents and also fulfill your inner purpose. If you make the right choice; intrinsic motivation will help you approach studying in a much more positive manner as opposed to if your career choice was purely extrinsically driven e.g. for the monetary compensation.
Reward yourself after a good session
Another useful way to push through studying is by rewarding yourself after a great session. Set a target and then condition your brain to achieve it. In return, spoil yourself with a treat or your favorite TV show. This will not only relax the mind but also teach it that at the end of studying lies a high dopamine releasing activity.
Try making it an event
If you are the social type; another way to spice up your study sessions is to make it an event. Invite a few friends over and have a group study session. In this way you can leverage the skills of each person in the group and also make it a social event. It is okay to crack a few jokes in between however make sure that you don’t lose track of the ultimate goal – which is passing.
Put the effort into getting into flow
The flow state is a highly productive state in which hours can go by and you wouldn’t know it. During this state you can accomplish large amounts of work with fewer distractions. This state is often achieved when you have the right balance in difficulty and interest in the topic you are studying.
Find your optimal study settings
Some people study well at night while others prefer early mornings. Likewise some individuals are visual learners while others like to pace while memorizing large bouts of information. You need to make sure that you maximize on your learning but finding out what style best suits you. If you are using the incorrect studying settings – your grades will suffer and you may even think studying isn’t for you. Keep experimenting until you find what works best for you.
Remember the bigger goal
When studying we often lose sight of the bigger picture. You study to write a test. That test forms part of a module. Several module makes a degree and then finally you graduate as a lawyer, engineer, or doctor etc. The key is to remind yourself of why you chose to be in the profession you are studying towards. Was it to help people? Or was it to solve problems to make the world a better place? Whatever drove you to choose a profession should be the same driving force getting you through the hard study session.
Do you love learning about multiple subject areas? Then you may be a polymath. Read: Your Ultimate Guide To Being A Polymath; to understand how to harness your mind’s full potential.
