#grrloriginal

it’s that moment when the textbooks, notes, and exams start to feel overwhelming. what can you do to avoid study burnout?

take regular breaks -> follow the pomodoro technique or take short breaks every 45-60 minutes.

set realistic goals -> break your study sessions into smaller, manageable tasks.

instead of cramming an entire chapter in one sitting, focus on mastering one section at a time.

mix up your study routine -> alternate between reading, writing, watching videos, or using flashcards.

practice self-care -> get enough sleep, stay hydrated (~72 oz), and eat nourishing foods. incorporate exercise, whether it's a quick walk, or a gym session.

know when to step back -> taking a break occasionally will help you return to your studies feeling refreshed and ready to focus.

practice mindfulness -> try practicing meditation to calm your mind. even a 5-minute session can help you reset mentally and emotionally.

headspace - a great guided meditation app, the only con is the pricing

here are some good free alternatives tho:

insight timer

runner

medito

connect with others -> even a quick chat about how you’re feeling can make a huge difference in your mood and motivation.

celebrate small wins -> don’t wait until you’ve finished a whole subject to feel accomplished.

celebrate the small victories—whether it’s finishing a section, acing a practice quiz, or just sticking to your study plan for the day.

adjust your expectations -> if things don’t go exactly to plan, don’t beat yourself up. adjust your expectations and keep moving forward.

take time to unplug -> unplugging for a few hours can give you a much-needed mental break.

i’m going to break down some of the most effective ways to study math. this subject definitely can feel overwhelming, but with the right strategies, you can build confidence and success.

this is how i got consistent As on my tests!

mistakes are valuable

go over your mistakes and learn from them – don't move on without fully understanding why something went wrong.

keep an error log – reviewing common errors helps you avoid them in the future.

ngl, sometimes i get disappointed when i don't make mistakes cuz then i don't have a reference point for studying 😭

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use visual aids

in geometry or algebra, draw diagrams to visualize the problems.

i am a heavy visual learner so if I can, I will draw out every graph and shape.

here is a simple example of visual notes in math that i took a while ago

use graphing tools to understand functions or inequalities in a tangible way.

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it’s easy to get sucked into hours of scrolling without realizing how much time is passing, so this is what I find useful!

track your usage -> seeing your app usage helps identify where your time goes and where to cut back.

set limits -> set specific time blocks for when you’re allowed to use certain apps.

ex: i have a 10 minute limit for Instagram and TikTok

create tech-free zones -> designate certain times of day as screen-free, like during meals or before bed.

implement a "no phone" rule during study or work hours to maintain focus.

focus on real-life connections -> balance online and offline time by enjoying screen-free activities with friends and family.

use technology for good -> use apps like Structured or Notion to stay organized and productive throughout the day.

reward yourself -> set up rewards for sticking to your screen time limits.

after two hours of focused study, reward yourself with 15 minutes of social media.

understanding how your brain learns can help you optimize your study habits and make learning more efficient and enjoyable

how the brain learns

your brain is a network of neurons that form new pathways or strengthen existing ones when you learn.

neuroplasticity -> allows your brain to adapt and learn throughout life.

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spaced repetition

...is reviewing information over increasing intervals of time.

this technique helps move information from short-term memory to long-term memory, making it stick better.

Anki or Quizlet use this technique for efficient studying

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active learning

passive studying (re-reading) is less effective. use active learning methods:

testing yourself - with flashcards or quizzes

teaching others - explaining concepts out loud

turning notes into visual aids - like mind maps or concept diagrams

the more actively you engage, the better you retain information!

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chunking

the brain can only hold a limited amount of information in working memory at once

break large information into smaller, manageable "chunks."

ex: group numbers into sets (like phone numbers).

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the importance of sleep

sleep consolidates memories and strengthens neural connections + filters out irrelevant info, helping key details stick

studying before bed - improves retention after a good night's rest.

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multisensory learning

the more senses you use when learning, the better you’ll remember.

using visual aids, audio, and even physical movement can help reinforce what you’re trying to learn.

creating colorful notes, speaking aloud, or even walking while reviewing flashcards can make a big difference in memory retention.

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growth mindset

... believing you can improve is crucial to learning effectively.

embrace mistakes as part of the learning process – they’re essential for growth!

finishing a book can be incredibly rewarding, especially when you’ve made the effort to stay consistent. the only issue is... well actually reading the book.

set small reading goals

daily pages: set a goal to read a certain number of pages or chapters daily.

chapter milestones: reward yourself after completing each chapter to keep up your momentum.

create a reading routine

set a time: choose a specific time each day dedicated to reading, such as before bed or during your morning commute.

find a quiet space: create a distraction-free zone where you can focus entirely on your book.

eliminate distractions

turn off notifications: silence your phone or put it in another room while you read.

set a timer: use a timer to focus on reading for a set time without interruptions, such as 20-30 minutes.

switch formats

audiobooks: listen to the book while driving, walking, or doing household chores to keep making progress.

e-readers: using a digital reader might be more convenient if you’re often moving around.

track your progress

use a bookmark: visually seeing how much you’ve read and how much is left can provide a sense of accomplishment.

reading apps: apps like Goodreads allow you to log your reading progress and connect with other readers.

find an accountability partner

reading buddy: partner with a friend who’s also reading or start a book club to discuss the book and motivate each other.

reviewing your notes shortly after class can greatly improve retention and understanding. here are something that i do!

why review your notes?

forgetting curve -> a phenomenon where our brains tend to forget information rapidly if we don’t revisit it.

by reviewing your notes within 24 hours, you strengthen neural connections and solidify the material in your long-term memory.

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effective strategies for reviewing your notes

1. active review

summarize the material -> after class, write a brief summary of the key points in your own words.

ask yourself questions -> turn headings or bullet points into questions and see if you can answer them without looking at your notes.

teach someone else -> explaining the material to someone else can reinforce your understanding and identify gaps in your knowledge.

2. organizing your notes

highlight key concepts -> use different colors or underlining to emphasize important points, formulas, or definitions.

add examples -> include real-world examples next to complex ideas to make them more relatable and easier to remember.

create summaries or concept maps -> condense lengthy notes into diagrams, charts, or mind maps to visualize relationships between topics.

3. spaced repetition

review within 24 hours -> go over your notes right after class to reinforce initial learning.

space subsequent review -> revisit the material after a few days, then again after a week.

use flashcards or apps -> tools like anki or quizlet can help with spaced repetition by showing you content at optimal intervals.

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how to keep your notes engaging

make it visual -> use diagrams, doodles, or flowcharts to break up text-heavy notes and make reviewing more interactive.

incorporate mnemonics -> create acronyms, rhymes, or mental images to help remember lists or difficult concepts.

i feel like i've tried every productivity app out there, and so i gathered my favorites so far here:

task management apps

1. todoist

features -> subtasks, recurring tasks, priority levels, and collaboration features. benefits -> easy organization of tasks with intuitive categorization helps you stay on top of deadlines.

2. tiimo

features -> color-coded daily overview of all your plans, focus timer, ai-powered checklists that break down big tasks. benefits -> flexible planning and visually rewarding, making it easy to digest your day

3. structured

features -> intuitive timeline, subtasks, focus timer, easily rearrange tasks, color coding. benefits -> visual timeline and easily creating tasks makes it easy to stay on task

this is my personal favorite!! i've been using it for a while and the visual appeal + the functions make it so easy to stay motivated.

focus and concentration apps

4. forest

features -> set a timer for focused work sessions, and if you stay off your phone, a tree grows. benefits -> visually rewarding, this app helps you build good habits and combat phone addiction.

5. focus@will

features -> different music channels tailored to various tasks and productivity styles. benefits -> the right music can create an optimal studying environment, minimizing distractions.

time management apps

6. toggl track

features -> one-click time tracking, reporting, and project management. benefits -> learning how you spend your time can help you tailor your habits.

7. pomodoro timer apps

features -> customizable work sessions (typically 25 minutes), followed by short breaks. benefits -> helps maintain focus and reduces burnout during intense study sessions.

note-taking apps

8. evernote

features -> notebooks, tags, web clipping, and integration with other apps. benefits -> keeps your study materials organized and accessible across devices.

9. onenote

the two-minute rule states that if a task can be completed in two minutes or less, you should do it immediately.

the benefits

momentum boost -> each small task completed adds to a sense of progress, motivating you to tackle larger tasks.

improved focus -> completing minor tasks frees up mental space, allowing you to concentrate on more complex assignments.

increased self-efficacy -> accomplishing tasks, no matter how small, reinforces your ability to succeed.

how to implement the two-minute rule

take note of tasks that typically linger on your to-do list. for ex:

replying to an email organizing your study space making a short phone call updating your planner or calendar

find moments in your day to tackle quick tasks:

during breaks -> use study breaks to complete small tasks, helping to refresh your mind.

while waiting-> complete tasks while waiting for a class to start or while commuting.

keeping track of completed tasks can further enhance your motivation:

use a checklist -> check off completed tasks to visually represent your progress.