Hey everyone! How are you all today?
Whether it’s revision, writing an assignment, watching lectures (I do so online) or getting yourself geared up to study I use different ways to get my head into study mode. I vary what I do depending on my focus levels and what I need to do as well as the amount I need to accomplish. For me it’s coming down to the end of year where I’m in the middle of finishing up my last assignments and revision for my exam. Everyone studies differently and has different preferences on what helps them to focus. So, I thought I’d share my studying tips.
*None of apps and such mentioned are sponsored*
Making a List
Making a list always motivates me and puts me into a productive mood. I enjoy making lists for what I want to cover as well as doing stuff around the house.
Food and Drinks
Before I start a studying session I gather snacks and drinks so they are right there for when I need them. I mix snacks and have a healthy snack as well as a non-healthy snack. For drinks I like to have a bottle of water, juice or tea.
Clothes
Comfy Clothes are perfect for me when I want to study. I know that seems obvious and sometimes just stay in my pj’s, however, when I want to seriously study then I change into trackies (trousers) or leggings to help me feel comfortable. This also in a way wakes me up if I’ve been in my pj’s for a while.
Apps
When I study I like to use a couple of apps to keep me on track. I’ve recently started to use Study Bunny which helps me track how long I study for (it recognises every half an hour) and colour code your subjects or anything you want to track.
A similar app for this is Forest: Stay Focused. The longer you stay off your phone the more your plant/tree survives. Also, I believe, it also contributes towards actually planting trees. I don’t know too much on the details but I think that’s pretty cool.
Lastly, Quizlet is another app I sometimes use for revision. I create my own study set of flascards as well as look up study sets from other people that is available. The only downside is that I can’t use it offline unless I upgrade so I only use it when there’s WiFi.
Background Sounds
I’m someone who doesn’t like to sit in silence and prefers to have something play in the background. Fortunately, there are heaps of options for this.
- YouTube
This year I have fallen in love with ASMR for ambience. It’s not the eat stuff or crushing stuff up ASMR as in having animated scenes in the background which can be of a cafe, library or places from movies. It’s hard to explain but I do find it relaxing and have a whole playlist on my phone. I even plays these when I’m reading. My favourite channels are ASMR rooms, Perfect Atmospheres and ASMR Weekly.
On YouTube I have also recently found a channel called TheStrive Studies. This channel is run by Jamie and she’s posted ‘study with me’ videos. She has options for videos with instrumental music or without and follow the pomodoro technique where you’d study for 25 mins straight, take a 5 min or so break then go again.
- Study Playlist
On Spotify, I have a study/writing playlist that’s full of instrumental songs from soundtracks mixed with instrumental covers of songs.
- Movie and TV Shows
This is for a lighter study session. I always gravitate towards something light-hearted and have noticed most of them seem to have a female lead.
- Clueless
- To Sir With Love
- Pride & Prejudice (either 2005 or 1940)
- Legally Blonde 1 & 2
- Friends
- Gilmore Girls
- To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
- Harry Potter
- 10 Things I Hate About You
- Life of the Party
These are just to name a few.
Do you have any studying tips or things you like to do to get you into a studying mood?
Until next time…
xx
Bella 