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Discipline: “discipline is doing what needs to be done, even when you don’t want to”, which means that you have to force yourself to start doing things. 

Concentration: when you make a real effort in your work (study, homeworks etc…) you will be more likely to actually focus, understand and learn. 

Organization: always set tasks and goals and organize a study-schedule. Maybe you don’t really want to plan all the week, but if you just wake up and open your agenda/bullet journal/iphone calendar and write down all the things you have to do, setting due dates and deadlines, you’ll feel more conscious and encouraged to stay on track. 

Tasks-splitting: sometimes, you write down your tasks. Some of these tasks may be very hard and complicated, and it will take a long long time to complete them. So, you can split them in smaller tasks, so you will feel satisfied after a shorter period of time, instead of studying for hours and still seeing that chapter undone on your study-schedule. 

Watch the sunrise: when I wake up late, I feel like I don’t have enought time to do my work and lose my motivation. I literally panic and then I think “whatever, I could not complete all the things anyway”. So, if you wake up earlier you will feel more positive and  controlled. 

Smart reading: try not to read your textbook just like a newspaper. For every paragraph you read, try to underline and write down key words and then your question about that subject. Literally, turn your textbook into questions. If you write down question - particularly why…? - and think about the answer, you will be more likely to remember that stuff later. 

for when the burnout is real and all you really wanna do is lie in bed and watch things but you gotta at least try to study. these are mostly channels i’ve watched and subscribed to! (updated 17/12/2015)

sciences

veritasium

it’s okay to be smart

pbs space time

crash course: astronomy

crash course: ecology

crash course: biology

crash course: chemistry

crash course: anatomy and physiology 

crash course: psychology

the school of life: sociology

the school of life: psychotherapy

scishow

scishow space

asapscience

minute physics

minute earth

khan academy

the brain scoop

sexplanations 

healthcare triage

sixty symbols

periodic videos

deep sky videos

literature / art

crash course: literature

the school of life: literature

the school of life: art/architecture

art assignment

thug notes: shakespeare explained

thug notes: classic literature

history / geography / government

crash course: world history (season one)

crash course: world history (season two)

crash course: us history

it’s history: the industrial revolution

it’s history: the history of pirates

it’s history: battlefields (military history)

it’s history: the cold war

the school of life: history

alternate history hub

crash course: intellectual property

crash course: economics

crash course: u.s. government and politics

geography now

the school of life: political theory

it’s history: the history of china

it’s history: weapons of mass destruction

it’s history: the history of sex

extra credits: extra history

khan academy: history

khan academy: american civics

the great war

tom richey: ap euro review

tom richey: ap us history review

cgp grey

math

numberphile

khan academy

vihart

philosophy

the school of life: philosophy

the school of life: eastern philosophy

philosophy tube

8-bit philosophy

misc / no particular subject

crash course: big history

ted-ed

smarter every day

in a nutshell

vsauce

dnews

test tube news

test tube plus

seeker daily

the good stuff

thoughty2

how to adult

studyign

appsademia

nehrdist

Technique #1: Challenge yourself–defeating thoughts

“If you knew you could handle anything that came your way, what would you have to fear.” — Susan Jeffers, Ph.D.

The way you think about a situation dictates how you will react to it. If you are thinking about test situations in a negative, worried, or fearful way, you will likely have a high degree of test anxiety. You are scaring yourself by telling yourself you cannot handle tests. These thoughts are self–defeating.

To challenge yourself–defeating thoughts, first identify what you say to yourself about tests. These statements typically have “catastrophic” overtones. Once you recognize what you are saying to yourself, come up with a realistic coping statement. Coping statements allow you to problem–solve instead of panic.

Example : “I could never study enough for this test.” -> “I have a lot to study for this test, but if I stick to my schedule, I can do it.”

Technique #2: Thought Stopping

When you feel anxious, listen to what you are telling yourself. Interrupt your anxiety-producing thoughts by yelling “STOP” to yourself. Take a deep breath, and make yourself come up with a coping statement. Do this as often as necessary before and during a test. Use the following procedure to learn this technique.

Practice the thought–stopping technique any time you begin to feel anxious. Eventually, it will become a method that feels comfortable and almost automatic.

Technique #3: Recognize your control in the outcome of a test

It is self–defeating to tell yourself that your test performance is not in your control. These thoughts create anxiety and prevent you from studying effectively. Focus on what you can do to improve your test performance.

Technique #4: Deep breathing

Deep breathing is one of the simplest techniques you can use to reduce anxiety before, during, and after a test. Breathing provides you with oxygen necessary to think clearly and releases physical tension at the same time.

Close your eyes.

Breath through your nose. Breathe in deeply into your abdomen. Pause before you exhale.

Breathe out from your abdomen slowly.

Use each inhalation as a moment to become aware of any tension in your body. Use each exhalation as an opportunity to let go of tension.

Repeat once, then return to the test.

Technique #5: Imagery and Visualization

Use this technique before a test to calm yourself and improve your concentration. Create a visualization that works for you. Remember, the purpose of visualization is to help you relax and cope.

Imagery

Imagine a scene that feels pleasurable and relaxing.

Let  yourself stay with that scene for a few moments

Once you feel relaxed, imagine going in for your test.

Imagine yourself calmly sitting down, waiting for the professor to pass out the test. As you receive the test, you say to yourself “I am prepared. Relax. Concentrate.” You turn the test over and read the directions, planning your time carefully. You read and answer the first question…

Visualization: “Quick pics”

Think about something melting when you want to relax. “Melting” evokes many images:

snow melting in the sun

a flame melting candle wax

marshmallow melting in hot chocolate

butter melting in a pan

chocolate chips melting in Toll House cookies

Technique #6: Muscle relaxation

Progressive muscle relaxation is a very effective technique, which you can use daily as well as before and after a test situation

Technique #7: Avoid stress triggers

Avoid people or situations that create anxiety.

Avoid discussing course material with other students immediately before the test. Last minute cramming generally causes more anxiety and concern about how and what you studied.

Pay  attention to the time allotted for the test, but avoid excessive     clock–watching

Avoid getting to the test “just in time.” Plan to arrive early to settle in and  relax.

Avoid food or drinks that are stimulants and increase “jitters.” (This varies by individual).

Avoid believing rumors you hear about the test. Check it out with the person who really knows – your professor!

Avoid talking about your test grade with other students if this increases your anxiety. If you feel uncomfortable with being asked “How did you do”, respond with “I did as well as I expected.” or “I’d rather not talk about my grades.”

Avoid checking the progress of other students during the test. Remember: it doesn’t take long for someone to complete a test when he/she hasn’t studied.