Study Smart, Not Hard: Approaches to Effective Study

Intro : So did you ever feel that you are studying hard but didn’t get the output you were looking for? In my case it happened when I was in high school. Over time I realized that I was doing it in the wrong way! Study has its own psychology, that is beautiful as well as amazing!

Do you make a schedule for a specific subject?

Then awesome! It’s very important to find your preferred time slot for your study. You need to get a specific time table, a specific study time is essential for effective learning because it establishes a routine, maximizes concentration, and minimizes distractions. Consistency helps the brain adapt, creating a focused environment that enhances retention and comprehension, making study sessions more productive and efficient.

But, if you have already tried this method to study more and more, you can relate that this method doesn’t work much! Not because you don’t feel like studying. But, it can be because you have picked the wrong subject for that time. For example you picked the morning slot for english, but you are feeling very tired to study that subject. Rather, you will be glad to study physics at that time and solve the problems and derivations. And the evening slot that you choose for physics, you just can’t solve the problems and get distracted, and you’ll be glad to have the english book. Then you should obviously choose the time slot according to your mood. Selecting subjects to study on your mood can be advantageous for motivation and productivity. When you align your mood with a subject’s inherent interest or ease, you’re more likely to engage with enthusiasm and focus, leading to more effective learning experiences. However, it’s essential to maintain a balanced approach to cover all subjects consistently.

Do you have a fixed place for studying?

Do you have a good place like a study table and a chair? But you just don’t like to be there! When you think about achieving your daily goals you get a repulsion force when you try to sit there and give attention to your study. Then you should change your place of study. It can be for a month or even for a day, it will definitely help you to concentrate on your study. Go to the nearest library or simply another room where you can study peacefully with no distraction. It is because of “cognitive flexibility”, it refers to the ability to adapt to new situations and think creatively. Changing your environment challenges cognitive flexibility, which is a cognitive skill linked to problem-solving and adaptability. A study in ‘Psychological Science’ in 2011 suggested that changes in the environment can promote cognitive flexibility. And a great ability of human brain is that our brain remember things with relativity, we can recall things or events with relating something e.g.- ‘ you were having ice-cream at that birthday party where Minnie mouse and daisy came.’ or you can remember a brand of smartphone, and when you have to tell somebody about a smartphone the very first thing that hits your mind is the brand name. So when you change your place and go to another place your brain will relate that particular sum with that place, such as- ‘the sum I have done in my garden on that sunny day’. And when you see the sum on your question paper it will be just like a picture, in very less time you will be able to solve the sum.

Do you reward yourself?

Everyone loves a reward! The human brain is wired to seek rewards and positive experiences. This is due to the brain’s complex reward system, which is governed by various neurotransmitters, particularly dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a central role in the brain’s reward system. When we experience something pleasurable or rewarding, such as eating a delicious meal, receiving praise, or achieving a goal, our brain releases dopamine. This release of dopamine creates a sense of pleasure and reinforces the behaviour, making us more likely to repeat it. So it can be used in two ways. Firstly, you can select a daily based goal for your study, and secondly you can give a reward to yourself when you will finish your goal. Small rewards like a chocolate or listening to your favorite music when you finish your task, the reward should be the thing that you like the most.

You are a topper! nope I’m not kidding, embrace a love for learning and stay dedicated to your academic journey.