You really need to study for one of your classes, but you’re in agony and incredibly bored just thinking about it. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Students often want to study the subjects of their choice—their chosen major—but what about all of the additional classes? Those topics can seem unnecessary, but they are still important for a complete education. You might hate the subjects you have to study now, but with a bit of open-mindedness and these ten helpful tips, studying can transform into a successful activity.
Change your attitude about the subject you hate
You might initially believe the worst about your study subject, but it’s best to create a more positive perspective. Search for the parts of the topic that you might like, and focus on them for optimal enjoyment. Also, consider why you need to study this topic. If it contributes to your long-term student, career, or financial goals, it’s worth the time and effort.
Make time and plan to learn it
The more devoted you are to the subject, the more positive your results will be. If you absolutely dread the idea of studying for it, set aside large chunks of time so that you can take frequent breaks. Avoid cramming over breaks and studying just before the start of class whenever possible. Each small effort gets reflected in your grade.
Experiment with your learning styles.
Everyone has different learning styles, so you may not like the way the subject is taught in class. The teacher might not be truly involved, or you may dislike those long, boring lectures. Try to seek other ways of receiving the subject’s information. Check out a video, audio-book, an interesting interview, or form your own study group to make learning more interactive. Just make it easy for yourself to grasp your class concepts.
Find alternative ways to understand it
Too often, you hate the subject because you don’t quite understand it. Ask a teacher, a classmate, or get a tutor to help you. When you find someone else who has a great interest in that subject, it will be easier for them to teach it to you in a relatable manner. Online resources, such as YouTube videos, are a great option as well.
Gather and represent the information creatively
“If you’re a visual or auditory learner, this will especially help you study. Draw charts, mind maps, pictures, make videos of yourself explaining the subject, use a voice recorder program to create short reviews or write short summaries of the chapters you read. For large amounts of information, create a catchy song and repeat it often so that it remains in your memory”, shares Kim White, a college prep tutor. With modern-day technology, you can always have any type of recording in your smartphone to refresh yourself on the material in no time.
Relate the subject to your daily activities
Subjects are understood much better when you can make connections to your everyday life. For example, think about the nutritional properties of foods (fats, proteins, and carbohydrates) and how they react to your body. For this, you can mentally assign a particular food to represent a food group; rice can be a carbohydrate, coconut oil can be a fat, and eggs can be protein. Consider the foods you eat every day and note how their function ties back to your biology class.
Set the marks for difficulty levels
Annotate, annotate, annotate. Whenever you’re reading a chapter on your subject, make notes, underline keywords, and highlight key concepts. As you continue to learn, mark easier parts with the label “Easy” and more difficult parts with the label “Difficult”. This way, you can simply refresh yourself on the “Easy” parts, while dedicating more time on the “Difficult” sections. Plus, the more you reread, the better you will understand the concept as a whole.
Arrange collective studying with classmates
Your environment can play a huge role when studying. If you have difficulty studying independently, try forming a study group with friends. It helps to find classmates who also struggle with the subject’s material so that you can work together towards solutions. It might be challenging to find time for everyone to meet, but the comradery from working together will help make studying significantly more lively and enjoyable.
Remind yourself that it’s only temporary
Chances are great that the subject you dislike will be one you don’t have to continue after the course is finished. Even if you have to learn the subject’s material after your current class, you can avoid the subject entirely when you’re done with school. Remember that this is just a small part of your education; it is not something you have to endure for the rest of your life.
Remember the day of assessment
When the exam day arrives, it’s much more difficult to learn what you hate and take the test if you still don’t fully understand. Instead of having no clue about the material, start studying as early as possible to reduce your stress level—and your level of hatred. Your brain will thank you for less pressure, and your grade will sing a song of victory. Win-win.
Studying for subjects you hate may seem unappealing and daunting. Although these subjects are unfavorable, there are some ways around studying to make the material more enjoyable. Always remember that the subject is not permanent, it’s great to add creative flair to your study methods, and a new perspective can work wonders. Follow these ten steps, and watch your grade soar in no time.
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