Vivek's Tips: A Routine Is Key
By Vivek Sengupta, Biology, Class of 2010
Look towards the future. Motivating yourself is one of the hardest things to do as a student. It is very hard to find reasons to study when many distractions exist. This is why you must do it for yourself and for your future. Deferring gratification allows you to be the best without having to receive immediate pleasure. Sure you’re not earning any money now, but think of it as an investment.
Keeping a good sleep cycle and maintaining a ritual allow you to keep your mind clear and uncluttered. A clear mind is essential to study. Sleep deprivation has been linked to many psychological disorders, and more simply it slows down your mind and body. A lack of sleep can lead to a lack of focus, falling behind in classes, depression, obesity, and most importantly, it inhibits you from enjoying your life! Regular sleep is the key.
I am speaking from personal experience. If you do not structure your days and have a ritual, your confidence will be impacted. Everyday doors are closing and the longer you take to develop effective study habits that enable you to be a better student, the fewer opportunities will be available. It is easy to fall into periods of discontent, but don’t let yourself.
Try to go to all of your classes. Even if your professor is the worst in the world, going to class allows you to keep material fresh in your mind and, as a result, makes studying easier. Classes allow you to stay ahead of the game!
Take breaks that do not lead to wasting time. For example, my friends and I have on many occasions become lost in the addictive suspense of television series. Avoid these pointless activities as much as possible; otherwise, you may end up watching 3 years of episodes in 3 days.
Study with friends who enjoy studying and in environments that are conducive to studying. The dining facilities are not ideal places to memorize and conceptualize material. Remove yourself from distractions and loud noise. Then you can focus solely on the material in front of you.
Lastly, study early and often. Leaving material to the last day will only make learning it more difficult. People who say they work better under pressure are only making an excuse for their procrastination. Do not leave studying until it’s too late.
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