kaya

your answer is crucial.

(disclaimer: this is from purely personal experience and is not a substitute for seeking professional help. these are just personal tips as i was formally diagnosed with depression and anxiety in the third year of college, but had been showing symptoms even in high school. different methods help for different people, but i really hope some of these things can help a struggling student out, because one of the reasons i went on studyblr in the first place was that i felt really lost and anxious.)

It’s tempting to subscribe to a just world theory, where good things happen to good people (or people who make good decisions), and problems befall problem people, but that just isn’t the world we live in.

I don’t know the official reason for why it works but from my experience, it pretty much shuts our brain from thinking about how boring the thing will be.

And since starting is the hardest part, once you’re up, it will be easier.

The more you think, the less you will want to do it. Same logic as counting back from 3 and 

You are going to feel like dropping out. I would say to stick it out for the first year and sit for finals. If you get a good grade for your finals, that could really give your confidence a boost and motivate you to keep going. And then, if you still feel like dropping out or changing majors, you should do as much research as possible.

Feeling pressured to do more things. During my first year, I said yes to everything–even things that I didn’t feel like doing. I felt like if I didn’t, I’d be missing out on something really important or fun. FOMO, basically. However, more often than not, I wasn’t missing much and these opportunities will arise again very soon.

Buying too many unnecessary things. I bought so many stationery and notebooks before I started uni in hopes that they would motivate me to study. I ended up not using even half of them my first year. At least, I’d be set for supplies until I graduate.

Revising in uni is not the same as revising in high school. I used to think I could study last minute for a test, like I did in high school. I learned the hard way that that wasn’t the case at all. Now, I review the topics after every lecture. The key is to keep up because all those lectures are going to pile up really fast.

Past papers are your new best friend. I find that professors have their favourite questions that they like to give out. During finals, they might even use the same exact questions as they did in tests!

Failing/Getting a low grade in a test isn’t going to ruin your life. I once got so caught up on that one test. But luckily during finals, I snapped out of it and just tried my best. My final grade wasn’t too bad. You live and you learn.

Wear whatever you want (as long as it doesn’t get you in trouble). When I wear a hoodie and sweatpants, I get comments that I look like I just rolled out of bed (which I did, duh). And when I have really nice makeup on and do my hair, I’m trying to impress someone. I think people just like to run their mouth and it’s nothing personal, so you shouldn’t care what they say anyway. 

Keep in touch with friends outside your university. It can really come in handy during times when you really have to vent about someone in your classes. They can also help you keep grounded and have a different perspective.

You don’t have to love the library. I’m the kind of girl who studies lying on her stomach on the bed with papers and books surrounding me and my cat stepping on them occasionally. I think the library is too quiet and public for me. And if you’re the same way and prefer the cafe or elsewhere, then that’s okay too. The goal here is that you get your studying done.

Buy a notebook or clear a place on your wall for a chalkboard, pin board or whatever.

Write down everything that you need to do.

Now determine the importance of doing each of these things. Highlight or put a star on the high priority things.

Examine how you currently spend your days and decide what hours you can replace with productive actions. (eg I like to use my lunch hour productively so I can be lazy for a few hours after class)

Now divide everything you need to do over the week. Clearly mark your due dates so that you won’t forget them.

Work somewhere that will inspire you to work. A coffee shop where you don’t know anyone, a library, your kitchen. Don’t work in your room(on your bed) or in front of a tv.

Put your phone away while you work. You don’t really need to be checking your Instagram or Snapchat. And trust me, scrolling can take up an hour of your time without you even noticing.

Exercise! Exercise really does help you stay energized.

Drink water! Get your 2-3 liters in every day.

Eat healthy foods and in smaller portions. Healthy food fuels your brains and smaller portions mean that you won’t want to take a nap to recover.

Have a rewards system. Now listen up, to have a rewards system you need to get out of the habit of just giving yourself what you want. A reward only works if you don’t get the item all the time. Rewards will vary from person to person but they could be things like doing 2 hours of proper work = 1 episode of your favorite show. 1 week of productivity every day = going out on friday night. finishing that project= this snack. etc.

Constantly remind yourself of what you’re working for. Is it University acceptance, your dream job, personal stability,your dream body? Keep the reminder close.

Cross off what you complete! This sounds funny but studies have actually shown that people feel more satisfied when they see how they’ve progressed. So, instead of mentally checking off a list, physically check off a list. It’ll motivate you!

Keep quiet about your goals! Studies have also shown that a person lets everyone know what their goal is, that person generally congratulates them, causing their brain to feel satisfied, without them actually having to do the work. But, on the other hand, we tend to be harder on ourselves when people don’t know what we’re working on. 

Try not to multitask. Trust me, multitasking means that no project is finished at the end of the day. That demotivates easily. So, instead of trying to finish all tasks, focus on one and let the satisfaction of completing it fuel you to work on the next few tasks.

Remember that you can’t do everything at once. You’ll burn out. So, dedicate time for your brain to relax. Read or journal before you sleep, stretch, listen to relaxing music. Go through your skin care routine. 

If you feel that you can’t start the work and cut the bad habits at once then focus on cutting out a bad habit. Start with saying no to watching tv and youtube. Remind yourself to make your bed before you leave your room. Put your phone away for a few hours. Then, once this comes easily to you replace these things.

First try cleaning your room or tidying up your study area a bit - you might find it easier to concentrate on the task at hand

If you’re dreading it - work on it first. There’s a quote by Mark Twain: “Eat a live frog every morning, and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” 

Work on it little by little so you don’t have to do copious/insane amounts of writing/research the night prior to it being due

Read up on similar topics to see how others in the field are crafting their arguments

Have everything you need to focus close by so that you aren’t constantly getting up (i.e. snacks, sweatshirt, etc.)

Put your paragraphs into Google translate to break up the monotony of just writing. Have Google read it to you so you can catch any mistakes that your own eyes have become desensitized to.

Have a friend read it! Writing to impress may help you find your stride.

Remember the end goal: an awesome grade!

Make an outline first

Follow a thesis that focuses on "triplets.” T is your thesis, reasons A, B, and C will give your reader an idea of your body paragraphs. So, “T because A,B, and C.”

Change up your setting. Go to a coffee shop or library if you find it hard to focus at your desk or the distraction from your bed is too much.

Turn on some jams if you work better with music.

Light a candle to help you relax.

Hello, hi there. Recently I made a post about what to do the day of your exam and it’s still getting notes which is amazing. Thank you all. So now, please enjoy these realistic tips for the night before your exam that do not involve perfum, gum, or cramming. Please don’t cram.

Get a good night’s sleep. I know that for many of us this is a major challenge because we deal with insomnia or anxiety disorders that keep us awake. Try taking a warm bath in Epsom salts. Stay in the tub until you break a sweat. Pick your salts wisely because some of them are more energizing (i.e lavender salts are more energizing I have found).

If you are having trouble sleeping because of tension in your neck/back, try to relieve the tension by rolling out your muscles on the floor, or conciously tensing them up for about 10-20 seconds before slowing releasing. The Epsom salt bath really helps with any sort of tension. I have chronic nerve pain from a car accident and it’s one of the few things that help me that is more holistic.

Don’t shy away from melatonin. It works wonders and you won’t feel “hung over” in the morning like you may with Z-Quil. They have melatonin gummies too!

Try lowering your body temperature. Sleep naked. It’s life changing. If you can’t sleep naked (because you live in a dorm) still do your best to keep it cool. Our bodies get tired when their temps are lower.

Additionally, do not cram for any exam. The night before your exam is not the time to be learning any new material. We are way past that. Gently refresh the material that you already know; however, do focus on items you may struggle with. Remember, althetes don’t go crazy hard the day before a game - treat your brain the same way; no heavy lifting.

You may take this time to rewrite your notes. It’s a simple act that can definitely help you to remember.

Try teaching the material to someone else, or if no one else is available - stand in the mirror and give your own personal TedTalk on the subject. Hey, if it works for Sims, right? Remember that if you can teach the material, you know it. Reiterating in your own words is so helpful.

This should go without saying, but eat a good dinner.

Use the “Match,” “Test,” and “Spell” functions on Quizlet. Very helpful.

Have I said do not cram yet?

Lay out your clothes for the morning. The fewer decisions the better.

You’re going to want to wake up with enough time to review your study materials a couple more times, get ready for the day, and leave for the exam early (so that you have time to review when you get there and to ensure you are on time!) So set your alarm in advance.

Make sure that you set out your blue book, calculator, etc. so that you are prepared for the exam tomorrow and you aren’t sprinting across campus to find somewhere that sells blue books.

Triple check that alarm.

Try to limit your use of electronics 30 minutes before you need to fall asleep. I know that isn’t always reasonable though. Just make sure your phone is plugged in so that it is well charged and ON when you need that alarm to go off.

Drink some water.

Don’t drink any coffee or other caffeinated beverage/over induldge in nicotine/or take your *prescription!!!* adderall after 8 PM. Really for the Adderall don’t take it after like 5:30. You will be up all night long, my friend.

Okay last time: do not cram for any exam. That’s like over extertion for your brain and it will take you time to recover. If you continuously pull all nighters to cram you will crash and burn eventually. So just start early on your study plan. You can make time for it, I promise.