so i had a couple weeks where my motivation just... seemed to have taken time off. these 5 tips are those that helped me the most when i couldnāt seem to bring myself to start studying. i hope theyāre helpful to others as well!
SO HERE ARE 5 TIPS FOR WHEN YOU DONāT WANT TO START STUDYING
iāll bring myself as an example: before i study i always follow these steps, in this order: i clean the desk, even if the books i need are already there, i clean it; i take a glass of water and a small plate with some almonds and 1/2 chocolates; i get a timer for the pomodoroĀ technique (iāllĀ talk about this later); i brain dump (iāll talk about this too); start a playlist; take a deep breath, sit down, and actually start. now, this is mine, it doesnāt have to be yours, but it was to help you understand. when youāre on the couch with your phone and you just donāt want to start an afternoon of studying, just... try the first step. clean that desk. then get the glass of water. and from then on it will be easier and easier to actually get to it. the important thing is to start.
start small (the pomodoroĀ technique)
if you feel that your brain just... refuses to focus on that textbook, donāt strain it. start small. if youāve never heard about the pomodoroĀ method, i suggest you look it up online, iāll try to explain it briefly: all you need is a timer; you study for 25/30 minutes, get a 5/10 minutes break in which you get up, go to the bathroom, drink, do a mini-workout... then you start again. it really helps if the idea of sitting at your desk for ours makes you want to vomit. if even 25 minutes seems too much, donāt worry. study for 5 minutes. have a break. try studying for 10 minutes. but maybe you wonāt even need to do that: like i said before the important thing is to start. just that will set your brain in motion, and it will actually be harder to stop.
this simple tip has really helped, maybe more than all the others i name here. you have a lot of thoughts rushing through your mind that you just canāt lock away so you can start focusing on that homework? brain. dump. just grab your planner, your bujo, a random piece of paper, and write down whatās on your mind without worrying about the form. just write. write until your mind is blank. then try to start again.
give yourself a reward (if...then)
it can be a small thing like āif i finish this maths equation iāllĀ eat a candyā or a larger-scale thing like āif i study this chapter iāll watch another episode of my favourite tv showā. our brain tends to choose the path that requires less effort and gives a bigger reward. but facing a task knowing thereās a reward at the end might help make it seem more effortless.
just donāt wait toĀ āfeel like itā
because sometimes you just never will. you will neverĀ āfeel likeā spending an afternoon studying a subject you hate. but you have to do it anyway, so... try your best to make it pleasant. study in your favourite spot, listen to your favorite instrumental piece, buy a nice notebook so itās easier to actually open it... but you have to start. just start. thatās really the hardest part. i promise itāll get easier from there.
