I’ve written before on handling all the information that we are bombarded with every day. But what I haven’t told you is what the key is to success in studying. Actually, the success to almost anything we try. The key is caring about what you are doing. If you care enough you won’t let yourself be distracted by other things because you take what you are doing seriously.
Take what you are doing seriously
Take this blogpost for instance. I’m not writing it in the wordpress interface or even in Microsoft word (Yes, I use windows) but a very simple and distractionless writing program called Q10. I’m looking at a black screen with orange letters. Nothing else in here, not even a command bar. It’s all done with keyboard shortcuts. Why do this? I care about my writing and don’t want any distractions.
Distractions always have an influence on what you are doing, how can you study properly with music in the background (barok music is the only exception, more on that in the near future) or with the TV on. You’re constantly being drawn towards the easy way out of studying into a passive kind of entertainment or Internet-related activities such as checking an e-mail the instant it hits your inbox. If you care about what you are studying or reading, would you have the tv on? My guess is you might even tell your housemates or family not to disturb you while you are studying right?
So how do we use this key? Fake it until you make it comes to mind, turn of any distractions and do only the one thing you should be doing. I’m not saying it will be fun every time but the better you get at studying the easier it all gets, you just might begin to enjoy studying. Deny yourself any sensory input other than the material to be studied. Care or fake to care about what you are studying and I promise you, you will get better at whatever you are studying.
How to apply this during class This is very simple: Let’s face it, there might be other places you’d rather be or other things you’d rather be doing but at the moment you’re stuck there. The only thing you can do that makes any sense is to pay attention. It’s just common sense right?
The key is to care
Good advice. That Q10 program sounds like an interesting way to write though. I might have to look into getting a copy somewhere.
I’ve recently taken up studying without distractions myself. It feels like I’m really learning again for the first time since Freshman year of College. I’ve been learning of course, just not as quickly as I am now.
I’ve started finding my way up to the 3rd floor of the library where there isn’t anyone else, and studying there where the quiet is almost oppressive.
I actually really do enjoy it.
I’ve added a link to the Q10 program. I know problogger wrote about it before. That was actually when I started using it and I must say it really helps keeping focus.
Studying in a quite corner of the library is just perfect. In the university libraries I used to frequent they had very nice cubicles to study in. In that perspective, I really like cubicles..
Thanks for commenting :)
“Take what you are doing seriously” I love it but my motto would be “Look for the distractions” One of my weakness is starting something, a distraction comes by and I go to it, then another distraction and so forth. I am practicing focusing on one thing at a time. ( Been lately doing breath meditation.)