How Do You Study When You Feel Burnt Out?

Beginning your college journey means transitioning from living at home to becoming independent, usually, for the first time. You become responsible for your life and your studies. Most times, study habits are formed after a few weeks of school. But, how do you study when you simply don’t want to? Or, how do you keep good grades when you’re burnt out from school, life, or even mental illness?

Here are some tips to keep that 4.0 even when all you want to do is lay in bed and watch Netflix. Know that you are not alone, we’ve all been there!

1. Treat yourself before you study.

Try to get in the best mood possible before tackling your studies. Whether it’s taking a relaxing walk, doing yoga, or eating a snack, whatever makes you feel in a better mood, do it! You’ll become less drained throughout your studies.

When you’re in a good mood, you’re naturally more productive than when you’re in an emotional slump. If you cannot even attempt to get yourself in a good mood, which we’ve all been there, try watching a movie or invest in some self care.

2. Decide a plan to tackle your work.

Studying can seem highly daunting when you have the mindset of just having to sit at a desk for hours and do the work. Try integrating breaks into your study schedule. For example, tacking an assignment for 30 minutes and then taking a 15 minute break. Integrating breaks into your study routine can help your mind breathe through the tedious efforts of trying to get everything done.

3. Reflect on what you’ve done.

Sometimes, an emotional slump can be caused by feeling like you’ve been repeating cycles but not learning anything at all. You might ask yourself, “What’s the point of even studying if I’m not learning anything?”

Reflecting on work that you have done in the past can be an excellent self-motivation tool. After studying, try writing on a sticky note or journal about what you’ve learned through studying. Reminding yourself of how far you’ve come throughout your studies can add that extra push needed to keep yourself going throughout the year.

4. Utilize study groups.

Studying can be an incredibly depressing task when you feel alone, unsupported, and unmotivated. Designated study groups, or studying with friends, is a fantastic way to have a support system while getting work done. Also, it gives you something to look forward to.

5. Mix it up!

Along with this, you can learn from the people around you. Sharing notes, having peers review work, and having peers share study habits are amazing ways to bond with others while learning from personal experiences. If anything, who knows about college burn out better than college students?

6. Invest in books that teach you how to learn.

Sometimes, all we need is that extra push and knowledge to teach ourselves how to learn or to tackle burnout. These book suggestions can help with burnout, or simply just not knowing how to study.