Studying or not studying

[rafa]

I've been stuck, at home in front of the computer, or even just reading a book , thinking that I should study, cos I've got big exams coming up soon.
Yet for some reason, i can't bring myself to it. I normaly can study though, now its a sport for me not to study.

What ways have you been able to start studying, wanting to study, and being able to get the benefits from it

.( btw i know that to start studying is to just sit down and start with the easy stuff, except thats not working)
HELP!
Cheers ^^

[lolCoin]

do it better

[purplefdu]

When I was in college (first time I had to study in years) I was a big fan of outlines, flashcards and re-teaching. We normally got an outline from our science profs (I was a chem major) anyway, so it was easy to take the sections, divide by how many days between then and the test and do a chunk each day. Flashcards with sample problems, vocab, and important formulas were great to take to Starbucks, where I traded off helping my best friend study (she was a psych major). Since I was also a dang good student the study session for alot of the class were normally in m apt or lead by me in a common area, so re-teaching the others helped alot.

I also made studying like a chore. No studying chem for the day, no going to the pub later, or to the movie,etc.

[indieretailer]

I agree with purplefu---

1. Get a study group together from your class. Even if you are shy, get up in front of
the class before instruction begins and make an announcement. "Please see me after class if you are interested in forming a study group." You can pass out contact info. Having the obligation and making the commitment to meet with others at a regular agreed to time to discuss the material will force you to become engaged.

2. Make studying a chore. Use television, the computer time, or leisure reading as a
reward, not a diversion.

3. Even if you are not a teenager, I found a very good article about the other non-
studying habits that will enhance your learning.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnews/20080...thoutmorestudy

4. Use any help from a tutorial center on campus.


I am like the poster child for adult ADD---I am easily distracted and am a great procrastinator, but I have to implement strategies to help me accomplish anything.

Good Luck!

[AlmostFrugal]

Not only can you do like Purplefdu does, and treat studying like a chore, but you can give yourself rewards. If I finish this assignment, then I get a bowl of ice cream.

Or maybe not.

I found that my house was never cleaner when I was in college than right before exam times. Now I've just started going back to school after a eight year break, so I'm going to have to relearn some new techniques. But one thing that I did remember that worked was moving around and reading stuff out loud, or walking around a little bit, thinking and constructing outloud, then sitting down at the computer to write.

Good luck!

[72Tiger]

Get a job that involves the use of a shovel. Studying will look like the most interesting thing in the world by comparison. It worked for me.

[khorrell]

I always found that the getting started was the hardest part, so I set a timer and promise myself that I'll work for xx minutes. (30 is probably good.) If I'm completely not into it when the timer goes off, then I can quit. Otherwise, I keep on going.

Obviously, this strategy doesn't work if you've waited until the end of the semester to start studying .

[Dani]

Interesting post! The attitudes about a college education vary, as do the ages and maturity levels of students. I think that when students are paying their way or know that their parents won't continue to pay while they flunk out, they make sure to study. So do those in rigorous programs where students are dropped if their GPAs fall below a given score. I viewed college as my job while I was in it; just like many have said, studying really is a chore that needs to happen first.

If you're an undergrad, know that the rest of your life depends on you studying today! You won't be accepted into the best universities or competitive programs if you skate by with Cs. In order to have the freedom to control your career and destiny, you must study and perform well in all of your classes. That might mean studying, asking about extra credit, meeting with your professors on their consultation hours, etc.
College is preparation for real life. Sometimes I feel lazy at work, like I want to call in sick or just play solitaire all day, but I just can't. So, I deal with it, do what I need to do, and enjoy what little free time I have. By developing strong work habits now, you'll be an excellent student who turns into a top employee.

[gtdagenda]

Study in the morning, the first thing.
You'll find much easier to study for the rest of the day.

If you start the day with something else, email, browsing, cofee etc, you'll be unable to put yourself to study later.

[jmarti22]

Try a library? I find it hard to study at home for some reason but when I go to the library I study.