We’ve reached a paradox. While technology and programs have been developed to make studying more manageable, the learning process is becoming increasingly difficult. Take any field of study, such as nursing, IT, law, biology, or cybernetics, and you will find that the knowledge students need to master is increasing exponentially.
Learning Difficulties: Are We the Problem?
The study methods used by our parents are long outdated. We live in an era of AI and apps, so simple memorization will no longer save us. It is more difficult to gain knowledge because information is too accessible – there is too much of it. And while our predecessors had to search through dozens of books and archives, we need to sift through hundreds and thousands of publications to find the ones we need.
It’s not all. Every field of study is constantly evolving. However, students are expected to know the entire history of a subject because every step along the way is an important milestone. It means that twenty or even ten years ago, there was less knowledge available and, therefore, less material to study. So, maybe we are not the problem?
The Price We Pay
Let’s start with the financial aspect. The higher the education, the more exorbitant the study cost. Lucky if your parents can afford it. But if they can’t? Then, if you do decide that it’s worth the effort, you’re doomed to pay off student loans for decades. Or work like a packhorse to get a scholarship.
Now, let’s talk about the non-material sacrifices. We pay for a good education with our mental health. As I wrote above, the amount of knowledge required and the hours spent on study are disproportionate to common sense and the number of hours in a day on planet Earth.
Is There Any Choice We Have?
We don’t have to give up under the pressure of challenges and the final cost. Education is worth the effort, especially if your chosen profession makes your eyes sparkle. Even in our tough situation, science works for us, my fellow students. Let’s look at techniques that help us keep our sanity on the way to our coveted diplomas and salaries.
Maintaining the Balance, or How Not to Give In to Time and Challenges
Yes, here’s what’s important: maintaining a good balance between work, life, and study. In summary, we have a goal and a condition: the goal is education, and the condition is to preserve our mental health. Let’s make a plan!
Blinders on the Eyes Aren’t So Bad
Blinders on the horse’s eyes help it not distract from the small part of the road ahead. And the horse just runs to the finish line.
What I mean is that we don’t need to see the whole “I can’t do it all too much.” We have to set small goals, like surviving the first semester of study. Then, survive the first year and the next ones. Remember: quality of study is not a compromise! Just try to do your best in the short term. Every day has enough of its worries and limited time.
Focus on Your Own Achievements
Don’t compare your results to other students’ successes if it makes you want to give up. While study competition can be motivating, it doesn’t work for everyone. It’s important to compare your progress to where you’ve been, not to the scope you’ll deal with ahead. If you feel the pressure of competition, it’s worth focusing on yourself and your own achievements. And don’t limit yourself to just your student life and work.
Things Become Even More Tough if You Have ADHD
No worries — we can do it! We will need a timer, a detailed task breakdown, and planning. The principle is the same as in HIIT workouts: we alternate intense work intervals with rest. The condition is that we give it our all during the work!
- Find a quiet place.
- Remove everything from your desk except what you need to study.
- Turn off your phone notifications and silence your email.
- Set a timer for work and rest. Choose a work interval that allows you to maintain your focus and divide it into two for the rest.
During breaks, meditate or listen to stress-release music to help you relax or do some physical activity. And don’t cheat yourself: planned breaks should be spent on recovery, not social media that only waste your time.
Find Time to Recover
Unlike writing essays and other assignments, this is also the part of study that no one will do for you (knowledge is also your responsibility). The best option here is to change activities. Meetings with friends, switching from mental to physical activity, hobbies – the main thing is to mix them in the proper proportions. And remember to have enough time to sleep! Sleep hygiene is extremely important in student life.
Give It a Try or Ask for Help
You can do anything, but if you feel you can’t cope, ask for help! I see the difficulty here in recognizing when you’re physically not up to it. In such a case, I suggest using the following scheme, which often helps me.
So, each task has its own “time cost.” For example, a short essay “costs” 1-2 days, while a research project takes months. If you realize halfway through that the task is too tricky and you can’t make the deadline, it’s time to seek help. But note, this only works “halfway” – if you delay, you risk getting even more problems and pressure due to burning deadlines.
You can ask your classmates or professors if they will find the time and strength to help you, or you may offload yourself by delegating writing assignments to professionals. It shouldn’t be expensive, just find cheap custom essay writing services.
Subordinate the Time to Your Goals, Not Sacrifice Mental Health
It would be best to remember: it won’t get any easier – if you don’t learn to manage your time during your studies, the same problems arise later with work, family, etc. But you can do everything to make the whole process easier, adapt it, and fine-tune it, considering your mental health is the priority. Then, it will tick smoothly towards the coveted diploma or any other goals you set.