Studying effectively for academic success is crucial. However, it can be a daunting task. If asked, almost everyone can testify to having struggled at some point in their academic life.
Perhaps, you presently find it challenging to study. Understand that you are not alone in this struggle.
Some reasons you find it hard to study effectively may be that you have poor study habits, lack motivation or interest in the subject matter, or feel overwhelmed by a heavy workload.
But do not fret; there are strategies you can implement to turn your study challenges around positively. We all know how vital it is to continuously improve our study skills for academic success and personal growth.
This blog post will explore nine common reasons studying can be challenging and provide practical solutions to help you overcome them.
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1. You have a heavy academic workload
One of the top reasons why most students find it hard to study is the significant increase in workload compared to their previous educational experiences.
For example, those who have recently transitioned from high school to university may initially struggle as the volume of assignments, readings, projects, and exams tends to be much greater.
However, there are practical solutions to manage your workload and make studying more manageable.
These solutions include:
Prioritizing and organizing tasks
Start by creating a comprehensive study schedule that outlines your tasks and deadlines.
Prioritize your assignments using popular productivity techniques like the Eisenhower Matrix. This technique allows you to prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance.
Also, organize the tasks into smaller, more manageable ones to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Eliminate distractions
Minimize distractions during study sessions by turning off notifications on your phone or using website blockers to limit access to social media.
When you successfully eliminate distractions, you can focus on the study task at hand, reducing the number of study tasks you have left.
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2. You struggle with time management
Another common challenge that makes studying difficult is poor time management. Time slips away, deadlines approach quickly, and you find yourself cramming at the last minute.
Developing practical time management skills can significantly improve your study routine and reduce stress if time management is a struggle.
Let’s take a quick look at some strategies that will help you develop practical time management skills.
Set clear goals
Start by setting specific goals for each study session. Identify your goals and break them into smaller, manageable tasks. This will help you stay motivated and not lose focus.
Create a schedule
Develop a study schedule that allocates dedicated time for each subject or task. Be realistic about how much time you need for each activity, and stick to the program as much as possible.
You can add an exciting mix by rewarding yourself if you stay accountable and complete tasks on time.
Use productivity techniques
Explore popular productivity techniques likePareto Principle.
Pareto Principle, also known as the 80/20 rule, suggests that 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts. Hence applying this principle will allow you to identify the most critical tasks and focus on those first.
Take advantage of technology
Utilize time management apps and tools to track your progress, set reminders, and block distractions.
A fantastic tool that can help you save time by enhancing your reading speed and comprehension is Irisreading’s speed reading tool AccelaReader.
Use AccelaReader to start improving your reading speedand comprehension ability.
