Most people don’t simply study for the sake of fun. Studying is a means to an end, which often results in progress that is well worth the time. However, getting from point A to point B requires a lot of hard work, mental focus, and even stress.
Finding the balance between being as productive as possible and avoiding burnout is easier said than done. That’s because studying can take a psychological toll if you don’t approach it with healthy habits.
Follow along as we dive into the psychology of effective study habits and explore how to nurture them.
Studying is a Psychological Game
Studying is much more complicated than simply reading and retaining information. Everything from your surroundings and mindset to your sleep habits can affect how productive your study habits are. That’s why you may have noticed that studying while stressed and sleep-deprived is often ineffective.
Studying productively while reducing stress is a difficult balance to find. After all, studying often entails meeting a deadline, which is enough to stress many people out. Productive studying is possible without risking your mental health if you form healthy, effective study habits.
1. Understand Your Process
Everyone differs in their approach to studying and the habits that are most effective for them. However, it’s easy to feel inadequate when you realize that what works for others doesn’t work for you. This is avoidable if you examine yourself and discover what works best for you.
Pay attention to your study habits and note which patterns yielded the best results. For example, some people achieve their best results from reading information for hours. Others spend a small amount of time on a section, move on, repeat the process, and start over.
There is no right or wrong way to study as long as you retain the information. Granted, discovering the best process for you takes some trial and error. You can’t improve your study habits until you understand which ones provide the best results for you.
2. Set Goals
Studying is difficult if you don’t come up with a plan and goals to meet. Ideally, you should set several personal milestones before studying. It’s much easier to achieve short-term, small-scale goals than if you set out to memorize everything at once.
For example, you can incentivize yourself to learn and memorize one section or chapter at once. You can even break sections and chapters down into smaller pieces if that’s easier. Achieving these goals will feel quite rewarding, which makes studying feel like less of a chore.
This can boost your confidence and give you a boost to continue to the next section. There is no ironclad rule to set a study schedule, so stick to what works best for you.
3. Take Breaks
Information overload can ruin a great study session, especially if you don’t take breaks. That is a big reason why cramming is one of the worst study habits. Not only does it take a mental and physical toll, but it also makes retaining information quite difficult.
Keep track of when you start to feel overstimulated and burned out. Continuing to study can undo a lot of the hard work you’ve already done. Eat a snack, drink some water, or work out to bounce back during your study session.
Burnout isn’t just bad for your mental health, it’s also bad for your physical health. That’s especially true if you stay up late cramming and don’t sleep enough. Breaks paired with a regimented study routine have psychological and physical benefits.
4. Collaborate with Peers
Studying in isolation can feel lonely, and it can sometimes stand in the way of motivation. That’s why study groups have for nearly as long as schools have. Some people thrive while studying alone, whereas others need to study with their peers.
Study groups can not only motivate you, but they can also make it easier to retain information in some cases. You can quickly get feedback and pick up new study habitats from the others in your group. Seeing firsthand how other people study can positively influence you.
Granted, everyone is different, so your ideal study setting and methods may differ from your peers. However, explaining information and hearing how others explain the same information is quite effective. Studying with a group can make a big difference in how you pull from the information when you must apply it academically and practically. This is important whether you’re taking the LSAT or taking your final exams.
It’s Never Too Late to Change Your Study Habits
Don’t feel ashamed if you haven’t yet found the best study habits to achieve your goals healthily. This can take years if you don’t branch out and seek suggestions or try something new. That’s why you must put your mental health first when studying to ensure you form healthy habits that yield great results.
Set a schedule, stick to it, and don’t be afraid to take breaks. Avoid cramming and take note of how your peers study if you feel like you’re missing something. Most importantly, stick to a healthy sleep schedule and go easy on yourself without sacrificing too much study time to avoid burnout.
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