Burnout is real for most serious students at an intense school like SHS. After being shoved through more than two years of high school, studying for tests and quizzes has become more tiresome than ever before. I’ve found myself taking on various side quests while studying, whether it is hunting for a treat in my refrigerator when I’m supposed to do my APUSH notes or going on spontaneous grocery runs when I really should be writing my English essay.
Ironically, I finally discovered three miraculous antidotes to my unproductivity while I was wasting away on Instagram late August. This set of unique study methods induce dopamine and increase concentration. A few are strange and inventive, but, after trying it out myself, proved to be surprisingly effective. So, for the sake of yourself and your sleep schedule, give these proven methods a chance.
Method 1: Add dopamine to your study session
This method involves using pops of color while studying (it’s not for munching on M&Ms). Research has shown that exposure to bright colors increases the dopamine in your brain. The colors also add substantive fun and interactivity while you write your notes.
Say you’re making a study guide for your biology class. Start highlighting all the vocabulary terms and key concepts with an array of vibrant colors: bright pink, banana yellow, cotton candy blue, you name it. Make your notes come to life.
This method is all about personalizing your notes with color. If you enjoy decorating, add stickers and sticky notes for more dimension; you don’t want a flat piece of paper. If you’re artistically inclined, experiment with different styles of lettering; perhaps use bubble letters for headings or cursive for key ideas. Just don’t forget to add a touch of color.
Method 2: The revenge method
Have you ever had something absolutely infuriating told to you before? Maybe your stuck-up table partner bragged about their latest Honors Chemistry grade and insinuated that you couldn’t reach their level. Time to use those words to motivate yourself! This method offers an opportunity to channel that pent-up energy and redirect it towards studying for math.
Write the message in big block letters on a piece of paper and stick it somewhere where you’ll see it while studying. I like to display messages geared more toward the threatening side: “Study now or suffer later” is my favorite phrase that stops me from habitually scavenging for food in my house. TikTok also has compilations of stimulating sayings (just search for “toxic study motivation”).
If you feel tired and want to take a break (i.e., by doom scrolling through TikTok), you’ll see your written message, get threatened and sit back down to do work once again.
Method 3: Gaslight yourself (seriously)
Disclaimer: You might become incredibly studious.
I found this to be the most effective method. First, you need to prepare your mind — in other words, gaslight yourself. Pretend that you’re being observed while studying. Maybe you’re a YouTube blogger making “study with me” content, or you’re a participant of a reality TV show whose character archetype is being an academic weapon. Cameras are directed at you. People watch you read articles and take notes on Pocahontas and Bacon’s Rebellion.
You’ll get into the “zone” as I like to call it, where you become incredibly infused into studying and block out any distractions like phones and background noises. I like to imagine it as producing a force barrier (think Star Wars).
If you want to fully be dedicated to your role, you can also record yourself while studying. Hold accountability for yourself; future you will be judging and regretting it if you don’t get on the grind right now.
The Bottom Line: Get on the grind, sometimes
I’ve used these methods when I’ve fallen into the deep end (think 60 pages of APUSH notes following 3 hours of robotics). Whenever I am desperate and cannot find any more motivation, these quirky study methods refuel me with some much needed inspiration.
However, don’t work yourself to the bone. Sleep is incredibly essential for your well-being. As the saying goes, work doesn’t work without play and adequate rest.
But if you ever find yourself facing a pile of unfinished assignments and a test the next day, give some of these methods a try. You can thank me when you become an academic weapon.
