The Sunday News
Charles Dube
The mention of examinations triggers learners into action. These include those who might not have been showing enthusiasm to study out of classes. The question which needs answers reads: “Is it hard for you to get motivated to study? But as you spend time procrastinating hoping to get into studying later on, the examinations are approaching. They are getting nearer by the day. Reality shows that you have a rising sense of panic, but you do not know where to begin?
When you are not really prepared for the examinations, you are bound to panic. The more you panic, the harder it is to get to work. If this is the situation you are in, keep reading. Today I present to you some proven strategies that successful learners use to motivate themselves to study: Firstly, you need to discover why you procrastinate. Procrastination is a complex problem that has many different causes:
Chief among them, you are waiting for the perfect time to start studying for the examinations. You have convinced yourself that your homework is beyond your abilities. Putting off your homework is a way of rebelling against your parents or teachers. The task has become so overwhelming that you do not know where to start. You also procrastinate because you have decided the topic is boring. Learners need to understand why they procrastinate as it is a key first step to getting motivated. You can only concentrate in your studies when motivated.
Where you feel the task ahead seems overwhelming, break the material down into chunks. Every time you complete one or two chunks, reward yourself with a short period of relaxation. It could be a five minutes short walk. Create a study routine.
Research shows that by nature we are creatures of habit. If it is a challenge for you to get motivated to study, you can put this principle to work for you. Habits are so powerful that once you develop a study routine, you will actually find it difficult to go into relaxation mode without studying.
Be aware, however, that habits are not formed overnight. Experts say it takes 20 to 30 days to form a habit, therefore put in some work before this technique pays off or works for you. Be clear about why you want to get good grades in the examination — one of the best ways to get motivated to study is to be very clear about why you want to get good grades in the first place.
Make a list of the reasons why you want to do well academically.
The list can include some typical reasons like the following: I want to learn more and develop myself. I want to develop the habit of pursuing excellence. I want to become a more focused and disciplined learner. I want to get into a good school or programme. I want to have a meaningful career. I want to provide well for my family and my parents in the future. I want to know that I gave it my best shot. Finally, I want to live with no regrets.
You can make a “boring” subject interesting. When you find it difficult to study because the subject is “boring,” ask yourself, “Is the subject boring or does it seem that way because I have closed my mind to it?” One famous writer once said: “There are no boring subjects, only disinterested minds.” If you think a subject is boring, try to engage with the subject by asking yourself questions like: When was this technique or theory developed? Who developed it? What problem did it solve? How would the world be different today if not for this technique or theory?
You can only ask the cited questions in relevant subjects not in any other subject. We talk of appropriateness of language in different situations, so you would ask questions related to each subject not just the examples given here, otherwise they will not make sense in others. Understand the topic, do not just memorise it. One of the keys to effective studying is to develop an understanding of a topic rather than just memorising facts. Note that rote memorisation may be required in some situations.
But, in general, the more years you spend at school, the more you will be expected to understand relationships and connectives between different concepts.
Look for gaps in your understanding. Try giving a mini-presentation on a topic to a friend or relative. You can do this in a formal way or you can simply talk to them about the topic. So you see those class presentations are highly recommended. It does not matter whether it is group or individual presentations they both help you in your study. You deepen your knowledge through these mini-presentations and will also quickly realise if there are gaps in your understanding of the topic.
Albert Einstein is quoted saying, “If you can’t explain it simply, you do not understand it well enough.” Organise your time. The act of creating a study schedule is a form of commitment, so it will help you stay motivated. Here are some steps you can follow in creating a study schedule: For each subject, make a list of the tasks you need to complete in order to be ready for the examination. Create a daily plan which lists the most important tasks to be completed for the day.
Assess whether you are on track to reach your study goals by examination time. Study in a group. Many learners find it motivational to study in a group. Of course, it is crucial that you find the right learners to join the study group. These learners should be focused and disciplined. Studying in a group is not only fun. It also gives everyone in the group a sense of accountability. When you study in a group, you make a commitment related to new habits you want to develop, or bad habits you want to break.
When you study in a group, you can pool your notes together and get much better notes than any other person could possibly produce. Also, studying in a group takes advantage of the fact that everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. If there is a concept you do not understand, chances are that someone in your group will be able to explain it to you. Make learning active, not passive.
“Passive learning is where you try to absorb information and knowledge. It is based on the idea that you are an empty vessel waiting to be filled”. Research shows that this is not the best way to learn. We actually construct knowledge by integrating the new material with what we already know and have already experienced. If you want to learn a new topic quickly and effectively use as much active learning as you can.
Examples of effective learning are: Finding application of the new topic in your life. Doing case studies where the new ideas or theories are put into a specific context. Doing group projects. Reviewing and commenting on the work of your friends. Thinking of ways to apply concepts to problems you come across. Remind yourself that this will not go on for ever. Studying for examinations can seem like an endless marathon, but it does have an end date.
Remind yourself of this, particularly on days when you feel overwhelmed or unmotivated. Get rid of distractions and organise your time and work and use your mind effectively.
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