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Hi,
I am studying a medical science degree (with a toddler and not having done study for YEARS!) and am sooo burnt out right now that I can't seem to retain any information at all. :wall:
What are your best tips to stay motivated? What do you do when you take a 5 minute break to come back to those textbooks feeling refreshed?
Thanks :)
Amber
Watching the telly while I'm doing my work helps sometimes...hehehe.
Also, try to arrange your day so that you're studying when your brain is fresh, that might mean getting up early to do reading, take notes, etc....might help? I used to find that I was hopeless of an evening until about 10 at night, so I would just watch telly, etc, then start and go for a couple of hours. Doesn't make sense but those late nights were quite effective for me.
Whatever it takes! Sometimes I used to break up my tasks and allocate each one a reward. I suggest stuff like: get a Paddle Pop, look at wedding photos, cup of coffee, phone Mum, go for a walk, 15 minutes of internet time etc. Some of them may not sound all that "rewarding" but it gives you something to work towards, and cuts down on the procrastinating!:
Good luck! Med Sci is hard going!
Thanks Marydean and Snugglybean!
It's a great suggestion to study when you're brain is at it's best. I have been waiting for my daughter to go down for her nap before studying but it's been afternoon lately and by that stage my brain is mush! I might try morning and see how that goes.
I will definitely try the reward system as well, I have been going for a walk around the yard trying to wake up a bit but a paddlepop sounds so much better :lol:
Thanks for the tips!
Amber
Not sure if this applies but I found the best way to keep motivated when I had a lot of work on was to the smaller tasks first. The sense of achievement when something was crossed off the list kind of spurred me on to tackle the big stuff.
I also found getting up at 4am and studying better than staying up late.
Medical science sounds full on. All the best with it :D
I'm doing a bach of early childhood (bridging course from existing qualification) and at the moment I have come to a stand still!!!!!!!!
I have to do something because my last 2 assignments are due 1st week on Nov.
:wall:Help!!!!!!
Wish me luck!
Oh and I am so so very very stressed!!!!!!!:doh:
- Always have a glass of water nearby and take a sip everytime you feel yourself drifting.
- Get up and stretch every 20 mins to get your blood pumping again. Don't try and cram for hours on end as you wont retain much.
- Recognise what you do know so you dont go over that again and again.
- Work out how you learn best and use it. Eg. If you are a visual person draw mindmaps to link things together. When I was doing anat and phys I had numbered lists and I knew how many items were in each list so it prompted them all. Find out what works for you.
- Eat well. It is easy to go to the junk food but it makes you sluggish. So if you have it (and dont we all when we are studying) make sure it doesnt replace nutrition. Light fresh foods like salads seem to be especially good.
I know how you feel but it is worth it in the end. :)
It is a good idea about getting the smaller things done first, or make a list of everything you need to do, and which assignments are due in what order, get the easier or ealier ones out of the way. I know it sounds commonsense, but when I had to catch up on 4 assignments at the start of the semester, I had a total freakout.. Was at a standstill and needed someone to sit down with me so I could exlpain what I had to do and what I should get done first.
I also like to write notes or summaries of readings I have done, since that is my way of learning things and retain information. Even though it's more work, at least I have the facts at hand if I need them.. If I just read things I don't seem to retain the information as well as when I have written stuff down, or even hi-lited interesting passages (only in my Sociology readings, since that is just copies of chapters, I hate defiling books lol)
I also found a website that has a list of effective study tips (also for taking notes, classroom studying, exams, essays.. the list goes on).. Here is what it said about Study Habits:
So, basically what everyone else has already said I guess :redface::
Study Habits
Tip: Begin study no less than 30-90 minutes after a meal.
Tip: Never study within 30 minutes of going to sleep.
Tip: Prioritize! Make a list of what you intend to study, prioritize the list, and stick to it!
Tip: If possible, study no more than 30-40 minutes at a stretch. Many students retain more by studying for short periods with breaks in between. It all depends on what you're trying to study, but generally, after a period of study, take a break.
Tip: Take study breaks away from your desk or wherever you are studying. Let the break be a time to think about other things. Use some break time to reflect, not constantly review what you have just studied.