Ask almost anyone about their favorite things to do, and chances are “studying” will not appear on that list. There’s a reason procrastination and all-night cram sessions are so common amongst studiers of all subjects: people just don’t know how to have fun while studying. It can feel impossible to enjoy the process, so everyone just avoids studying as long as possible.
But if you can find pleasure in studying, you can unlock a wealth of opportunities and knowledge for yourself. People who enjoy studying can much more easily commit themselves to new hobbies, interests, and even career paths by staying dedicated and curious about their studies. If you’re struggling to figure out how to enjoy studying, read on for tips from setting up the ideal study environment to reimagining your studies in a creative new light.
Create the Perfect Environment to Enjoy Studying
It’s challenging to be productive and enjoy studying if you’re surrounded by clutter and loud noise. Setting yourself up for study success means organizing your environment so that you’re ready to dive right in with confidence.
Make Sure Your Study Space is Clean and Bright
If your physical environment is a chaotic mess, chances are your mind is too. Studies have shown that cluttered spaces can increase stress and make it much harder to stay focused. If you’re wondering how to enjoy studying, decluttering your workspace is a great place to start.
This will instantly help create a sense of calm in your work environment. Take it a step further by making your study space a place you actually enjoy spending time in. Set up lots of warm, bright lights, light some candles or incense, and make sure your chair is as comfortable as possible. Now you won’t just be productive; you’ll actually start to enjoy yourself.
Set the Mood with Music
Your physical environment is made up of more than just what you can see. Up your sense of joy while studying by listening to music that makes you feel both calm and productive. While everyone’s taste in music is different, there are a few different genres of music you can play to make sure you’re not getting distracted by the noise.
A good rule of thumb for study music is to avoid songs with lyrics as much as possible. Songs with words are more likely to interfere with your focus, especially if you’re reading or writing. Classical music is always a safe bet. Studies have even shown that listening to classical music while learning can reduce anxiety and improve test scores. Now that’s a win-win!
Upgrade Your Study Materials
If your study materials consist of a stubby No. 2 pencil and one dried-out highlighter, it’s time to make a change. Jazz up your study routine with some fun new studying materials: consider using bright pens, nice stationery, and colorful index cards.
There are two major benefits to upgrading your study materials. If you’re using luxurious pens and paper, you’re more likely to be excited by the prospect of studying. And on top of that, having a greater variety of study materials will help you to stay organized. You can now color-code your studies using different pens, paper, and highlighters.
Get Comfortable, but Not Too Comfortable
You won’t enjoy studying if you’re suited up in restrictive clothes or have to sit in an uncomfortable chair the whole time. But it’s also hard to stay focused and motivated if you’re slumped on the couch in the same pair of sweatpants for three days.
Aim for balance when it comes to comfort while studying. Trying to work on your computer on your lap or spreading materials all over the floor won’t be comfortable after long stretches of time, making you more likely to ditch your studies altogether. Ideally, always work at a desk or table that’s a suitable height for bookwork or studying on a computer.
When it comes to what to wear, one study showed that your cognitive processing is affected by your outfit choice. This means you could improve your test scores just by dressing for success. To do this, wear clothes that make you feel ready to tackle your study tasks with confidence while still being comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
Cut Out Dangerous Distractions
So now your study space is sparkling clean, you’re listening to relaxing music, you’ve got your favorite pens, and you’re wearing comfortable clothes that are a few steps above pajamas. There’s still one major factor that could keep you from studying and ruin all the fun: distractions.
The top culprit in this situation is almost always your phone. It’s impossible to enjoy studying if you’re being pulled away from your studies every five seconds. It’s going to get harder to focus every time a notification dings, and you reach for your device.
Eliminate the chance of distraction by setting your phone to airplane mode or putting it in a different room. You don’t have to say goodbye to your phone for the whole day, but at least try not to touch it until you’re taking a study break.
You should also consider what else might distract you. If you’re prone to snacking when you’re bored or stressed, avoid setting up your study space in the kitchen. If you’ve got loveable but talkative roommates that just don’t get the hint, perhaps you’re better off locking your door or heading to the library to get some studying done.
Set a Study Schedule You Can Stick To
It can be tempting to just dive right into your studies once you realize test day is coming up. But without a plan, even your best study efforts will go to waste. Creating a balanced study schedule means finding the perfect balance of work and rest so that you can really have fun while you review material.
Craft a Strategic Study Plan
There are lots of factors to consider when creating the perfect study plan. You won’t enjoy yourself if you’re too overwhelmed by all the content you’ve got to master and memorize. Before you just jump in without a strategy, sit down and plan out how, what, and when you’ll study.
First, decide what subjects you need to study. Maybe you’ve just got one big math test coming up. Or maybe you’re getting ready for finals season and don’t know which class to study for first. Make a list of everything you need to study and prioritize which topics to study by how much time you have to study each one and how difficult you find the subject.
Find The Perfect Timing Method That Works for You
Some people can study for hours on end without even stopping to stretch or use the bathroom. Then there are those who can hardly make it through five minutes of reviewing material before wanting to get up and make coffee or go for a walk. No matter which end of the spectrum you tend towards, it’s important to figure out a studying method where you can get a lot done while still enjoying the process.
The Pomodoro Method strikes the ideal balance for many. Created by Francesco Cirillo in the ’90s, the Pomodoro Method goes like this:
- Set a timer for 25 minutes.
- Work without any breaks or distractions until the timer goes off.
- Put a checkmark on a piece of paper when the timer rings.
- Enjoy a five-minute break. Do something relaxing (take a walk or eat a snack), not distracting or work-related (checking your email or watching TV).
- Repeat the 25-minute timer.
- After you have made four checkmarks, take a longer break, ideally between 20-30 minutes.
Repeat this process as long as you need to. Studies have shown that short breaks help keep you focused. The Pomodoro Method is a great way to avoid feeling burnt out from studying while maximizing your attention span for bursts of 25 minutes.
Use Breaks Meaningfully
No matter what your study style is, you should remain mindful of what kind of study breaks you take. It’s important to give your brain a break every once in a while to synthesize and maintain new information. But a short break could turn into a major distraction if you’re not careful.
If it’s time to take a study break, avoid the following:
- Watching TV.
- Scrolling through social media on your phone.
- Listening to a podcast or reading an informational book.
All of these tasks don’t give your brain the break it needs and may wind up keeping your attention far longer than what’s useful. Instead, try doing some of the following activities:
- Going for a walk or doing any other form of exercise.
- Playing with your pet.
- Enjoying a meal, snack, or a tasty beverage.
- Meditating or practicing deep breathing.
- Taking a rejuvenating nap.
After these relaxing study breaks, you’ll feel rested and ready to jump back into your studies. Sometimes, you’ll want to burn off extra energy after sitting and studying, and sometimes you’ll just want to rest your brain and body. Rotate through a variety of these study break ideas to avoid burnout as long as possible.
Decide on a Reward System to Stay Motivated
One of the best ways to make studying more enjoyable is to entice yourself with motivating rewards. Setting up a successful reward system will go hand-in-hand with your study plan and your timing method. Of course, take a few moments to consider what rewards will motivate you best while not distracting you from your studies.
Make a Study Checklist
In many cases, your study plan can double as your study checklist. This is a great way to track what you’ve achieved and what you’ve still got to work on. As you study each topic, you’ll notice when you’ve mastered certain material and when you still need to devote time to it.
For some people, just being able to put a checkmark next to each item on the list will be reward enough. Keeping a study checklist is a great way to stay accountable for your progress while tracking in real time just how far you’ve come in your studying. If you need more motivation than a completed to-do list, read on for other effective reward system ideas.
Pick Rewards That Make You Excited to Study
Just as timing methods and ideal study environments will vary from person to person, so will the most effective reward systems. No matter what you choose as your study reward, make sure it’s something that really motivates you to keep studying and makes you excited to cross each item off your study checklist.
Here are some ideas that could make studying something you actually look forward to:
- Treat yourself! Every time you accomplish something on your study checklist, have a tasty treat like your favorite candy or some popcorn. Bonus points if you reward yourself with brain food like dark chocolate or blueberries.
- Luxuriate with a bath, face mask, or nail treatment. Indulging in a spa activity will both feel like a well-deserved reward and help keep you calm and relaxed between your study sessions.
- Socialize! Meet a friend for coffee or chat on the phone to relieve stress and boost your mood.
Bundle Together the Good and the Bad
If you’re studying a topic that you really don’t enjoy and a simple reward like chocolate just isn’t cutting it, it might be time to up the ante. This is where temptation bundling comes in. The term was coined by Professor Katherine Milkman, and it describes the act of combining an activity you don’t enjoy with one that you do enjoy. An example would be listening to your favorite podcast while cleaning or getting a manicure while catching up with a difficult family member.
The best part is that temptation bundling really works. In her study, Milkman found that participants who were only allowed to listen to audiobooks while at the gym were working out 51 percent more than those in the control group. So if calculus just really isn’t your thing, maybe sit in a massage chair while you study. Or if you’re struggling to read through all of Shakespeare’s tragedies, set up shop in your favorite restaurant for a while.
Get Creative to Avoid Study Burnout
No matter how much you enjoy studying, sitting at your desk looking at the same flashcards over and over is going to get boring after a while. To make sure you keep enjoying the process, you’ve got to switch things up sometimes. Whether you want to transform your study sessions into gamified competitions or just be able to chat while you review material, there are so many ways to bring some creativity to your study habits.
Start a Study Group
This is one of the fastest ways to make studying more enjoyable. Social butterflies have cause for celebration, as some studies have shown that studying in groups is more effective than studying alone. This is because studying in a group forces you to verbalize written material and really make it your own.
However, not all study groups are automatically beneficial. As tempting as it can be to study with your closest friends, it’ll also be that much harder to focus. When putting together a study group, link up with people from your classes that you feel comfortable around but that you know will also take review sessions seriously.
Turn Your Studies into a Project
One reason many students don’t enjoy studying is because it can be boring to just sit and read through notes for hours and hours. Bring some creativity into your study sessions by turning this whole model on its head. Instead of letting your eyes glaze over as you read through lecture notes for the umpteenth time, make a project out of it!
Not only will this make learning the material more enjoyable, but you’ll also be more likely to remember what you study. Creating a project based on what you learn is far more engaging than just reading notes. If you’re studying science, see if there are any experiments you can try firsthand. If you need to know everything about the Age of Enlightenment, put together a snazzy presentation on the topic.
Teach it to Someone Else
If you’re no longer having fun just absorbing the study material in front of you, flip the process around. Teach it to someone else! This is a great way to add a social element to your studying. It’s also a science-backed technique for improving your understanding of the topic you’re trying to study.
It’s called the Protégé Effect, and it works wonders. When you explain your study material to someone else, you’ll work harder to really comprehend it, and your brain will be more likely to recall it with greater detail later. So when in doubt, grab a friend or family member and tell them all about the fascinating things you have to know for your next test.
Turn Your Studies into a Game
Gamifying the process is one of the fastest ways to ensure you enjoy studying. And there are so many ways to do it! Look online for fun quizzes or timed flashcard sets. Quizlet is a great resource for this. They have all sorts of game-like learning tools on a myriad of study topics.
You’ll also want to check out websites like Kahoot. It’s similar to Quizlet, but you can score points against your friends! Or you can make your own games to study with friends. Set up a round of Jeopardy based on your study content or create your own quizzes and test each other’s knowledge on Quizlet or Kahoot.
If you’re not looking to sink time looking for games online, simply gamify the study materials in front of you. Assign points to flashcard quizzes or mock vocabulary tests. Raise the stakes by tying in an enticing reward system. The loser of each round can buy coffee for the winners, or the winner can choose which study music to listen to for the next hour.
Turn Your Studies into Art
Let your creative juices flow during study time. If you consider yourself any kind of artist, adding some flair to your study time is sure to make it more enjoyable. And even if you’re not the artsy type, this could still be a super helpful and fun way to study.
One great way to do this is to pen a song about your study material. It may seem silly at first, but think about how many lyrics you remember to songs that you haven’t heard in years. Set the lyrics to a tune you already know and love to make it stick even better. When you go to take your test, you can just sing it to yourself in your head to recall all the important facts.
Similarly, you could make a dance. While it might be harder to bust a move while sitting for an exam, you can still run through the steps in your head. This technique works best for science topics like biology or anatomy, or any study material you can reasonably represent with movement.
If you’re more into art that’s made on paper, craft a short story or comic on the topic. This will give your brain a fresh take on the study material, and you’ll come at things from a new angle. Making art out of your studies is a great way to enjoy yourself more and even relieve a little stress while you’re at it.
Don’t Just Study Hard, Study Smart
If you’re looking to enjoy studying more, you really need to put your best foot forward. This means taking a moment to reflect on your study habits. Make sure you’re not just spinning wheels and doing way more work than you need to. Not only is this not very fun, but it’s not an effective way to learn the material that you need to know.
Start Studying Early
There’s no way you’ll enjoy studying if you wait to start until the night before the test. No matter what kind of studier you are, an all-night cram session fueled by too many energy drinks is not going to be fun. Set yourself up for success and give yourself a greater chance of enjoying the study process by starting way before test day.
Once you know you’ll need to study for something, add it to your calendar and work backward from there. If you need to study a whole textbook of material, it’ll take you a lot longer to properly study than if you only need to know a few chapters worth of content. Set up a schedule to make sure you’re studying the material in manageable chunks over a reasonable amount of time.
Ask for Help
There’s a reason your professor or teacher is getting paid to teach you this stuff. They’re the experts! And chances are, they made the test or assignment that you’re trying to ace. When in doubt, stay after class or visit during office hours to ask for advice. This should be the first thing you do if you’re struggling to master the class content or aren’t sure what to study.
Talking to your teacher is a good idea even if you do feel pretty confident in your study habits. You might glean some information about the test or what exactly the teacher wants you to prove you know. At the very least, you’ve taken the time to show your teacher that you care about the class and your score.
Check-in With Yourself
It can be super easy to lose sight of the end goal when you’re entrenched in the study process. Every once in a while, make sure to take a break and check-in with yourself. It’s possible you’ve mastered certain parts of the content while other parts have you totally bewildered.
If you know large swaths of content and feel like you’re beating yourself over the head with it, give it a rest. Focus your precious time and energy on what you’re still struggling to understand. Revisit the stuff you’ve got down pat only every once in a while as a confidence boost and to reinforce your knowledge overall.
Take a Deep Breath; You’ve Got This
You’re studying this material for a reason. Maybe you’re taking an environmental science class because you want to be a geologist. Or maybe you’re just sloughing your way through a general-education course. Still, mastering the content that you’re studying is a vital step on your path to success. Remember your reason for studying in the first place and stay committed to yourself.
It can seem silly or even impossible to enjoy studying. However, it’s totally within your reach. Surround yourself with a beautiful work environment and set a schedule you can actually stick to. Treat yourself for all your hard work with rewards and be creative with your study process to avoid feeling burnt out. Above all else, stay smart and enjoy yourself. You’ve got this!