Get a planner, don’t procrastinate, take breaks, etc. Blah blah blah. Sometimes a day planner isn’t the issue. Just because you know a paper is 3 weeks away doesn’t mean the writing-juices are flowing. Everyone has their own study styles and techniques that help them turn on the mojo and get stuff done.
.
For example: this blog. I wanted to post something, but I didn’t actually want to summon the strength hit the keys on the keyboard over and over again. Such strain and agility is tiring after a while. But I turned on some Jack Johnson, started tapping my toe and got to work.
.
That my study habit to pass along tonight: background noise. Silence is distracting. I need something the background. If it’s easy work I watch a movie or TV. If it’s hard I have mellow music. My friend (shockingly, a very successful former SBC student) has a habit of watching TV shows while she ‘works’. It doesn’t work. See, part of mastering this study technique is to find those magic songs/shows/movies that provide enough distraction to keep you interested but not enough to make you stop actually working. The latest episode of Heros or your absolute favorite Die Hard movie (sadly, a true story) aren’t very conducive for studying.
.
Got some homework to do and what to give it a try? Here’s some suggestions to get you started:
Instrumental
- Planet Earth
- Pride and Prejudice
- Atonement
- Becoming Jane
I also really enjoy the Lord of the Rings soundtracks…makes whatever you’re working on seem just that much more epic.
A big more mainstream:
- Jack Johnson
- Amos Lee
- Joshua Radin
.
Not a big music person? Try the golf channel. It may be a good walk spoiled but that means the TV coverage is so mind numbing watching it will make you excited to get back to work.
WAY TO CALL ME OUT. pshhhhh heroes was actually highly effective…if i don’t the volume down. and if you’ve seen it before. which i have, multiple times. do you know what would be HIGHLY ineffective? mad men. good thing i’m trying not to do work right now. i prefer music of all varieties. musicals however, are QUITE distracting….