How to keep swimming when motivation hits rock bottom?

Hewwo hoomans.

 

DP2 folks who just finished their exams, hope y’all are happy with your performance. Enjoy the summer before uni. Don’t try to get ahead; you’ll be suffocating in week 5 in your first semester anyway. Really, just enjoy the summer.

 

This is brought to you by a suffering third year student.

 

DP1s: exams are right around the corner. The last thing between you and summer. Motivation hits rock bottom. Frustrated at that nasty integral you’ve been struggling for a solid half hour. Really tempted to give up.

 

Been there, done that. There are moments that I don’t want to study at all. My rational self shouting at me, “DOOO IT YOUR FUTURE SELF WILL THANK YOU,” but my emotional self wins every time “Eh it’s not the end of the world, I’m happy with a B, thank you very much.” Knowing what to prioritise is a skill itself.

 

Me and bio, in a nutshell. We don’t flow together. Like Teflon and water, immiscible.

 

Let’s cut to the chase.

 

How to study when motivation reaches DNE (does not exist)?

Step 0: Removing distractions

I know, I know. If you're reading this post, you're actively procrastinating on what you need to do. But right when you finish this task, turn off your phone. Put it in your backpack. Leave it in the bathroom. Throw it out of the window. Just make sure it doesn't hit a lucky victim's head. Close the tabs on your laptop. Make it as hard as possible to go on your favourite social media.

Step 1: Find something easy but related to the task that you could do in 2 minutes

Open the textbook. Grab a piece of paper and a pen. Read one (1) page in the textbook. 

As simple as that. Tricking yourself into study mode. 

The hardest part of running is putting your shoes on.

The hardest part of studying is getting ready for your study session.

Step 2: Be realistic with your goal

If you really hate the course (like I do) and you genuinely don't find it useful, it is fine to not pulling off As all the time.

Sitting still for 15 minutes is already an accomplishment. Heck, at least you know that time wasn't wasted scrolling mindlessly on TikTok or watching 3901931 Instagram reels.

Step 3: Once you're tired, just take a break

Don't try to push. Don't beat yourself up. If you could only revise for 30 minutes, that's 30 minutes more than what you're currently doing. And it's okay.

Personally I can only study for 45-50 minutes at a time. Maybe a little over an hour if I'm lucky. BUT I could get twice the amount of stuff that my friend could do in two hours. Quality beats quantity all the time.

A related tangent: don't be afraid of people who brag "oH dUdE I sTUdiEd fOr 7 HOuRs yEStErdAy" yeah mate fair enough. Were you really productive and why are you treating your excessive studying as if it's an honour badge. 

Step 4: Profit

Go do something fun. Walk around the block. Get some fresh air. Chat with your mate. Come back to it later.

It'll still be there, I promise.

Then you could work on something that's more fun. I don't know, doing shitloads of maths? :P

If you want to chat more about my study habits, you know where to find me. Either on the mock server or the IB server, your choice.

Aight folks, peace!

Andrew