By Ensley Weaver
Tips and tricks on how I, a procrastinator and full-time host of ADHD, turned my Bs into As overnight!
DISCLAIMER: Depending on how your brain functions, these might be life-changing or life-threatening. Proceed with caution!
Q: I have no successful study/school habits to lean on this/next year, and my grades show it. HELP!!??
A: DON’T PANIC! Even though we are roughly halfway through the year, there is still time to form good habits and routines! Here are some habits that have significantly improved my study habits and future organization!
Make a bullet list of your work for the week – placing the most crucial tasks at the top. Your list will help you determine what you need to do right NOW!!
POST IT NOTES – grab some from your mom’s desk or the store and put them everywhere in sight. The more colorful, the better! Write due dates, vocabulary words, or anything you must constantly recall.
Find an hour every day to dedicate to hard-core study/review. Even if it isn't a test week, ensuring you fully understand the material is a make or break. Use this hour to look up in-depth videos on the topic, write a colorful outline to make your notes stand out, or create a Quizlet and share it with your classmates. Even if you have a super busy day, breaking this time into 20-30 minute blocks when you can is so important!
Find like-minded people who want to improve their grades. The people you surround yourself with help determine your mindset, goals, and how hard you will work. Go do your math homework at Starbucks with friends or do a study night FaceTime call!
Be over-prepared on Tuesdays. I love to read/become familiar with the new topics on Monday night, so I’m not being introduced to concepts at 8:30 am.
Q: I need more specific/creative ideas to get out of a burnout. How can I make the mental switch when every other piece of advice doesn't do it for me?
A: Sometimes it feels like every suggestion is JUST FOCUS! Most tips seem unrealistic or vague if you struggle with more than simply focusing on your assignments, like me. Here are my die-hard strategies when you're on the verge of burnout.
DISCLAIMER #2: If you function completely fine with the basics, or if you don’t have a medical diagnosis, please do not attempt these tips, as they will definitely sound … unusual.
Pretend there is a camera crew filming your success story this very second. Will you let the crew film you scrolling on your phone for seven hours? I know I won't! This will, most of the time, make me jump up and rush to study immediately.
Go to a focused environment – my favorite spot is the library! – and have an internal competition with the strangers around you. Who will finish their work first? Being in an environment with disciplined and motivated people will make you want to appear and feel successful.
If you need more clarity or guidance on homework, never hesitate to contact your teacher! Many instructors have emailed, texted, or FaceTimed me to explain a concept or topic when I am completely lost. Ask them if they have any extra review questions you can complete or if they recommend any online resources!
Do NOT overwork yourself. Make sure you take brain breaks such as cardio bursts, running, or walking your dog between assignments so your mind can continue performing at its best!
Alternate between subjects so you can stay energized. Shuffle up your assignments to make the information as familiar and distinct as possible! Doing this will help your brain recall and differentiate topics if you have a smaller attention span than others.
This article required 20 Post-it notes, 10 glitter gel pens, and 2 Diet Cokes
FINAL THOUGHT: Even though it sounds basic, keeping a positive attitude towards yourself is what matters most. You are infinitely more capable of achieving anything than you think, and what you think/say about your brain will become true!
Never compare your success to others; we are all on different roads in our lives, and no one will ever understand yourself and your needs better than you do! Colossians 3:23
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