I find that it is utter torture trying to study for the majority of my courses.

The only courses I enjoy "studying" and do well in are my language courses. I used quotations, because I practically never consider myself studying for these classes. It's more along the lines of fun, to be honest. Hell, sometimes I'll take a break from another course, and work on a language to ease my mind.

Unfortunately for me, I'm a science major (perhaps a mistake, but it's too late to change), and my language courses really just bump up my GPA.

Is there any way to make studying for my serious courses more fun? I can just casually sit down with a language book and work through it comfortably and enjoyable. Come time for an exam, and without any review I can get a perfect score. Can I apply that to the subjects I have less interest in? Do any of you have a similar problem?

I mean, I guess a lot of my peers just buckle down and torment themselves, but...I'm not really a masochist. :p

There HAS to be a way to actually make the studying more enjoyable. Right?

Maybe studying with somebody else might help. Perhaps a girl/girlfriend.

I always go to the library for subjects that are difficult to study/require a lot of time to study.

Maybe a change of scenery would benefit you.

When you study, make sure you only have the material you intend to study and nothing that will distract(like your language books or a computer).

I always go to the library for subjects that are difficult to study/require a lot of time to study.



I generally find this to be the most effective way for me to study. If I just bring my required books and notes I find that I can study a good 30-40 mins before I need to take a break.

Although as Nap noted, a nice scenery never hurt anyone.

I may have found a cure for my disease:

I took a voice recorder (I have one on my MP3 player, though I think Windows has one as well), and have just been reading the chapter in my Physical Chemistry book out loud while recording. It forces me to actually finish reading a section, and once I've actually gotten through a section once, re-reading it for clarification is a lot easier.

I'm going to then upload the recording to my computer and play it over again, probably while re-reading.

Well, another update:

I managed to make it through an entire chapter (a big, boring chapter) in my physical chemistry book (a collossal, boring book). Reading it aloud really helped...I'm sure making a recording isn't necessary, but it personally helped me get involved in what I was doing. By the time I reached the end of the chapter, I actually was feeling moderately interested.

And it seems once you read through it once, some ideas do seem to stick as long as you're paying SOME attention. The sections that I didn't really absorb, I read again and it was easy.

So, I guess boring crap can become enjoyable once you start feeling like you actually know it.

Isolate yourself away from distractions. Drink coffee or something you like.

It helps immensely if you actually enjoy the subject your studying.

i load up on caffeine and get some chocolate. i also have a big meal to make sure i can focus. i put on a film in the background, something i have seen many times before so it won't distract me. it takes some of the oppressiveness of the exercise away.

although sometimes all the tricks in the world won't work, and the smartest thing to do is post phone it for a few hours and do something else.

I make small goals and reward myself when I achieve them (read to page 50, clear your user cp). A guy got down one of the most dangerous mountains in the world with only one leg after being abandoned for three days doing that.

well, you should study something you enjoy...or in five years you'll be making a thread "how to make work bearable."

but anyway, aren't you switching to bio? more fact oriented, less math, at least that's how i see it.

but anyway, aren't you switching to bio? more fact oriented, less math, at least that's how i see it.

I suppose depending on what you compare it to. But really, all scientific concepts are based on math. You have a set of equations, you solve them, and then you interpret the data and give it to the public sans-math. Even pre-genetic biology used complex equations and systems of mathematical thought. When people say math is the language of science, they're not bullshitting you; in fact, it's the only way science can draw any inferences whatsoever (i.e. you can look at the effects of gravity and make a theory on that, but without math, it's impossible to apply; and most theories are based on math first, then confirmed by observation).

Sorry, you probably knew most of that though.

I suppose depending on what you compare it to. But really, all scientific concepts are based on math. You have a set of equations, you solve them, and then you interpret the data and give it to the public sans-math. Even pre-genetic biology used complex equations and systems of mathematical thought. When people say math is the language of science, they're not bullshitting you; in fact, it's the only way science can draw any inferences whatsoever (i.e. you can look at the effects of gravity and make a theory on that, but without math, it's impossible to apply; and most theories are based on math first, then confirmed by observation).

Sorry, you probably knew most of that though.

It's all math-based, but studying biology would more or less mean that you don't have to deal with math while studying.

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And yeah, whocares: I'm probably gonna switch. I'd rather deal with a bunch of enzymes and proteins and all that shit than have to draw molecular orbitals, solve differential equations, and dick around in labs.

I mean, I really did/do have an interest in Chemistry, but the classes just suck so much ass. And more importantly (for my future), I realize that a lab analysis or research job will suck ass.

I'm almost definitely becoming a cop, but I still need a degree, and science degrees are good to have. (Even if I change my mind, having one will help keep my options open for many jobs.)

It's all math-based, but studying biology would more or less mean that you don't have to deal with math while studying.

--

And yeah, whocares: I'm probably gonna switch. I'd rather deal with a bunch of enzymes and proteins and all that shit than have to draw molecular orbitals, solve differential equations, and dick around in labs.

I mean, I really did/do have in Chemistry, but the classes just suck so much ass. And more importantly, I realize that a lab analysis or research job will suck ass.

I'm almost definitely becoming a cop, but I still need a degree, and science degrees are good to have. (Even if I change my mind, they will help keep my options open for many jobs.)

Oh. If you don't like math, then biology in relation to chemistry will be a godsend. You'll still use math most of the time, but yeah it will definitely be less pronounced. Some colleges give a BS in science, or a "general science" degree, maybe you should look into that if your uni has it.

If he had a laptop why didn't he just email for help?

If you have to think a lot, read, or generally learn then put on some ambient music.
If you want to crank overdue or unstarted assignments out then you'll want some good stimulants.

Avoid caffeine though.

Gin and Tonic.

adderall, lots of it.

Change your major, asshole. It's never too late.

Edit: Out of curiosity, what languages/aspect of language do you like? Are you studying a particular language, or would you be interested in general linguistics (if such a thing really exists)?

Heh. I started planning out changing my major about a month ago, and today I made it official.

I still have to pass these courses of course, but I think things will be looking way up next semester. I'm switching to Psych, and there's a handful of linguistics-related courses I can take. (My main interest is in actual languages, but all of it interests me)

From History of the 21st Century (Hough and Smeider, ©2130), pg. 195:

"...and by 2050, DerDrache's famous "psycholinguistic" theory of cognitive treatment had changed the face of neuroscience and psychology forever. Mental illness rates continued to drop by an astonishing 50% per year..."

I always enjoyed studying the way Billy Madison did. Get a hot girl/girlfriend and have her quiz you and if you get an answer right have her take off a piece of clothing and every answer you get wrong she puts it back on. You learn the stuff real quick and it's real rewarding. Also if you need a break just sex her up right there you know the usual.

Heh. I started planning out changing my major about a month ago, and today I made it official.

I still have to pass these courses of course, but I think things will be looking way up next semester. I'm switching to Psych, and there's a handful of linguistics-related courses I can take. (My main interest is in actual languages, but all of it interests me)

psych!? what???? what the fuck happened to biology? psych doesn't have anything in common with chemistry!

I find picking subjects you actually like helps.
But for some of my more dry and dull prerequisites, I do a lot of reading out loud, or trying to convert text into diagrams and vice versa

ritalin, lots and lots of ritalin. it makes studying fun.

I'm english major history minor and I only study/write late at night locked away in my room to get rid of any distractions and I find (this only works for a few) if you do a little bit of blow now and then (I mean a little bit like a g for the week) to perk yourself up after getting on the late night routine it also helps regain my focus and spur on new ideas, also make sure you take breaks every 45 mins or so I go have a smoke and clear my mind before going back and this seems to work for me pretty well

I go the library or starbucks. Just get a coffee and read away.

if you have trouble learning it, try comparing the idea to something you find funny or can remember. When I took astronomy I compared the concepts of exploding super nebula's to the concept of hookers becoming angry over a customer not paying. I ended up getting a C

modafinil

Here's how you study: drink coffee, get pumped for 30 mins-hour and study the material. Then break for 15-30 mins. And continue the cycle for as long as needed. Make sure you drink coffee or some caffeine drink before the test. What you study while amp'd on caffeine will be better rememebred while taking the test in the same mind-set.

adderall or the post below

my girl made some little deal where she helps me do all my school work then after we finish for the day she gives me a nice blowjob then we fuck.
seriously the best incentive to do schoolwork