how to STUDY when you're TIRED😴

Summary

This video addresses the struggles of academic slumps, a state of low motivation and productivity. It explains how slumps can occur after breaks, leading to a feeling of being stuck. The script highlights three main causes: learned helplessness, external circumstances, and laziness. It offers practical advice on overcoming slumps, such as breaking tasks into manageable steps, adopting a growth mindset, and setting achievable goals. The key takeaway is that small, consistent actions can help regain momentum, with an emphasis on patience and persistence to break free from a slump.

Takeaways

• 😀 Understand that an academic slump is a period of unmotivated behavior where you feel stuck and unable to break free from your routines.
• 😀 Recognize the three main causes of slumps: learned helplessness, external circumstances, and laziness.
• 😀 Learned helplessness occurs when past failures lead you to believe you can’t succeed, causing you to avoid trying again.
• 😀 External circumstances like stress or family issues can impact your motivation, and it’s important to seek help if these factors are affecting you.
• 😀 Laziness is a common reason for slumps, as it’s easier to procrastinate and indulge in distractions like YouTube instead of studying.
• 😀 The first step to overcoming a slump is identifying the reason behind it, which will help you address it more effectively.
• 😀 Break down big tasks into small, manageable chunks to avoid feeling overwhelmed and stuck. Focus on just one step at a time.
• 😀 Adopting a growth mindset is essential—believe that you're not failing, you're just not there *yet*.
• 😀 Set clear goals and create a roadmap that includes small, achievable steps to help you get from where you are to where you want to be.
• 😀 Consistency is key. Don’t compare yourself to where you used to be; start small and build momentum over time.
• 😀 Use tools like daily to-do lists to stay on track and keep things fun and easy to encourage consistent progress.

Q & A

What is an academic slump?

An academic slump is a period when you feel unmotivated and stuck, often happening after a break from your usual routines. It’s a time when you struggle to find the drive to study or perform well academically.

What are the three main reasons for being in an academic slump?

The three main reasons for being in an academic slump are: learned helplessness (feeling like no matter how hard you try, you'll fail), external circumstances (stress from personal or family issues), and laziness (the tendency to procrastinate and choose easier, less productive activities).

How does learned helplessness contribute to an academic slump?

Learned helplessness occurs when a person has experienced failure in the past (such as a bad test result) and believes that no matter how hard they try, they will fail again. This belief makes it hard to motivate themselves to study or improve.

Why does taking a break from school routines lead to a slump?

When you take a break from school routines, like during a long vacation, you lose the structure and momentum that daily routines provide. Without these stabilizing routines, it’s easy to get lost and become unmotivated.

What is the first step to getting out of a slump?

The first step is to understand why you're in a slump. By identifying whether it’s due to learned helplessness, external circumstances, or laziness, you can better address the root cause and take the necessary steps to overcome it.

How can breaking tasks into smaller steps help with motivation?

Breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps makes them seem less daunting and more achievable. By focusing on just the next small step, you gain momentum, and the overall task feels less overwhelming.

What is a growth mindset, and how can it help you during a slump?

A growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed over time. Instead of thinking you’ll fail, you believe that you just haven’t mastered the material yet. This mindset helps you stay motivated and open to improvement.

Why is it important to set clear, specific goals rather than vague ones?

Setting clear and specific goals helps you focus on the steps needed to achieve them. For example, rather than saying 'I want to study more,' setting a goal like 'I want to read one textbook page a day' gives you a concrete target to work towards.

How can using daily lists help you stay on track?

Daily lists help organize tasks and make them feel more manageable. By writing down what you need to do each day, you reduce the mental load of remembering everything and stay accountable for your progress.

What should you do if you feel discouraged after not reaching your desired stage of productivity?

If you feel discouraged, remember that progress takes time. Instead of comparing yourself to where you used to be, focus on the small steps you're taking now. Consistency matters more than trying to be perfect.