If you are stuck in a study rut, this article is just for you. We have compiled a list of “how-to”s because it is time to get you out! Overstaying your place in a lacklustre season can cause a spew of negative emotions and outcomes, thereby leaving you in a worse-off state than when you first started.
Being stuck in a rut means having “a habit or pattern of behaviour that has become dull and unproductive but is hard to change.” Firstly, remember that this is part and parcel of life. Even the most successful people in this world are not exempt from it.
At some point, you have probably run out of motivation while your assignments and exams slowly creep up on you. Study tips and techniques are not one-size fits all. What works for the dean-lister in your class might leave you failing for your next test.
I learnt it the hard way when I tried to imitate a top-scorer in my class who retained information by writing countless notes. My attempts left me with callouses on my ring finger and a graded ‘F’ for my test instead.
However, all hope is not lost. Once you discover your learning style, it will empower you to reach your academic goals. Remember that your study techniques may vary throughout your education years, so be unafraid to switch things up!
Learning how to manage and overcome ‘rut seasons’ is a valuable skill that will carry you through different phases in life. Here are some tips that may help you get out of your study rut:
1. Set realistic goals
Oftentimes, musing over a list of things that need to be completed under a time crunch can feel overwhelming. For instance, having to study seven chapters in your biology textbook two weeks before your exam or having to edit an entire 30-minute video in a day. Instead of feeling motivated to do it, you might choose to crawl back into bed and wallow in self-pity instead.
I suggest setting mini goals for yourself throughout the day. For instance, give yourself 30 minutes to understand two concepts before taking a break. Setting and achieving mini goals throughout the day is going to boost your confidence as you slowly, but surely, check things off your list. Before you know it, you may have completed an entire chapter within a day!
2. Leave your comfort zone
Home for me is a place of rest. No amount of pressure could prevent me from lying in bed as a form of procrastination. If that rings true for you too, it is time to get out of your comfort zone!
Pack your study bag and head to the library or a café. If you need someone to keep you accountable, find a friend to join you. Group study is a potential game-changer for unmotivated individuals. What is better than having someone look after your belongings when you need to head to the bathroom or a friendly face to motivate you when you start feeling bored again? Of course, be sure to pick the right friends to tag along.
3. Take regular study breaks
If you have been staring blankly at your notes or computer screen with zero productivity, it is time to take a break. Allocating regular blocks of time to rest and recharge amidst a heavy workload will keep you motivated and focused when work resumes.
Everyone’s productivity period varies. The closet mugger might be able to sit still for six hours straight to study but you might start scrolling through Instagram after 30 minutes. Regardless of your attention span, recognise when your productivity peaks and take a break once you find yourself losing concentration.
It goes without saying that if you find yourself taking a break every five minutes, you will need to learn how to grow in discipline.
4. Discover your prime study time
Whether you are a night owl or an early bird, finding out your best time to be productive will ensure you aren’t as distracted. All through secondary school, having an early night and waking up at 4 am to start studying worked for me. However, when I entered poly nothing could convince me to wake up in the wee hours to complete my assignments.
That was when I discovered working through the night in pin-drop silence once everyone had gone to sleep was most ideal for me. Thankfully, poly’s flexible timetable allowed for me to still have sufficient rest.
5. Compare yourself to yourself
I was never a top-lister in class throughout my academic years so comparing myself with my top-scoring peers took a toll on me and often left me in a rut for months. However, it is vital to remember that not all five fingers are the same.
Instead of competing with others, compete with yourself! Set a goal and chart your progress towards this goal. Once you see how much you are improving from where you first started, it will motivate you.
Think about an exam for instance. If you were failing every accounting exam and then scored 50% for the first time, it is a great start! However, if you are comparing yourself to a student in your class who scores straight A’s, you will most likely feel like a failure despite your significant improvement.
Focusing on your personal growth and achievements will spur you towards more victories. Be patient with yourself as you journey towards your main goal, it is normal to stumble along the way but always pick yourself up and remind yourself that you are fully capable.
Finally, always reward yourself! Whether it is a bubble tea to end the day or giving yourself an extra 20 minutes to watch an episode of Friends, this will give you added motivation to complete your task. It will also keep you positive, which is a very important factor when it comes to escaping a rut or avoiding one altogether!
