My key ideas on efficient and pleasant studying

Studying is not just a task, it's a skill that can be honed and perfected. In this guide, we'll delve into a treasure trove of techniques and strategies to not only make studying more enjoyable but also to enhance your learning outcomes. Whether you're a student striving for academic excellence or an individual looking to expand your knowledge, these tips are designed to supercharge your learning journey.

It’s crucial that you get interested in what you are learning

Kick-start your learning with a bang instead of getting bored from the beginning. First, go wide and shallowly explore a new topic, then go deep (similar to a top-down approach). Literally, more general understanding first and then, when you get somewhat engaged and familiar with the topic, go deeper and learn details.

A good way is to start with a video (youtube, documentary, webinar etc.) about the topic you are about to learn before switching to the boring textbook which provides dry facts in black and white formal print – not a very engaging form of knowledge 😕. On the other hand, watching a video is engaging and doesn’t require any effort from you. Enjoy!!

If you have a choice, study “the right” topics – understand the relevance/purpose of your studying and have a growth mindset

Studying affects your life. The gained knowledge can be either useful for you in the future or completely useless, inapplicable. If you learn for yourself and not for e.g. a scheduled exam, pick the topics that you will be able to benefit from in the future. If something is a part of your life, it automatically becomes more interesting cause there is a direct purpose for learning it. The knowledge can make new opportunities for you or open a new door.

Change studying environment

Learn in many different places – cafes, public co-working spaces, libraries, parks. At home, learn in different rooms, on a balcony, in the garden (if possible). Learn sitting by the table, standing by the standing desk or sitting on the floor. Study in silence, listening to radio/podcast or to calm music like lo-fi hip hop, classical music (my personal favourite is Harry Potter soundtrack). There is a handful of possibilities. Just experiment and check what works for you.

Chain together less desirable activities to those more desired

According to Wikipedia, more probable behaviours reinforce less probable behaviours (Premack principle). Basically, a more desirable activity initialises the less desired activity so that the less desired activity can occur at all. As a result of applying this principle, an individual is more motivated to perform a particular activity if they know that they will consequently take part in more fun activity. Chaining two activities together allows for the occurrence of both of them – this less likely act and that more desired one.

It can be explained with a simple example:e.g. a mother can say to a child: “If you do your homework, you can go outside and play!”

Use flashcards or other means that work for you

But… make your own flashcards – it’s the best way to extract all information that is relevant to you. Flashcards prepared by others can be also useful but they can provide you with information that you don’t need or you already know. Customising your flashcards and making the cards more appealing will cause that you will go back to them with pleasure. Pictures/drawings make the cards more attractive. Using colours for emphasising the most important facts and differentiate between different kind of information is also very helpful. Remember that the answers to questions/the concepts on the cards should be short, packed with knowledge and clear. You can make either physical or electronic flashcards (I use the Anki app). It’s worth mentioning that creating flashcards is a way of learning itself.

Finally, return to the flashcards as frequently as possible – only then it makes sense.

Practice pair/group studying

It’s a very good idea to invite your friends to study together. I recommend setting up a group – that is smaller than bigger – 2 or 3 people (most desirably on a similar knowledge level). Everybody learns in a different way, with different speed, has a different level of knowledge. You can easily learn from each other. You may also introduce gamification – e.g. playing with the aforementioned flashcards. The rules are easy – who knows the most wins. It will certainly make you more motivated.

Afterwards, you can cook something together or go out and enjoy yourselves.

Provide your brain with good fuel

Thinking is a very energy-consuming activity. Therefore, during studying eat healthy snacks and maintain proper hydration. Every healthy person loves to eat 😉. The nutrients that are good for your brain are:

• nuts, seeds,

• protein snacks (my favourite is beef jerky, skyr yoghurt),

• veggies, fruits (also dried),

• other fibres,

• freshly pressed juices, smoothies,

• …and loads of water or unsweetened tea.

Take into account that overeating before/during learning is a very bad idea. Digesting a heavy meal will lower your brain's energy levels. It will be due to focusing the energy production on your stomach rather than your brain. Keep your meals/snacks light and this will do.

Makes frequent brakes

All activities are advantageous when you do them with a healthy frequency. It applies well to studying. It is very important to take breaks. You can take random breaks or, for example, breaks resulting from utilising the Pomodoro technique. Nevermind.

What to do during breaks?

• socialise (meet a friend and have a coffee, browse social media),

• do something enjoyable (read, watch, listen to music, podcast, join a room on ClubHouse and take part in a conversation) – whatever you’re up to,

• have a short nap and charge your batteries,

• do some physical exercises (go for a run, stretch, do HIIT etc.),

• go outside for a walk (refresh your brain with oxygen),

• take a shower – it is very refreshing (in my case, many good ideas and deep thoughts come to me when I’m in the shower).