study routine for inconsistent students

Summary

This video reflects on the challenges of maintaining a consistent study routine, especially for those with fluctuating energy levels. The speaker shares personal experiences of trying to adopt rigid routines and feeling guilty when they couldn’t keep up. The solution lies in embracing a flexible, energy-based routine that adapts to low, medium, and high-energy days. By designing routines around personal energy instead of perfection, studying becomes more manageable and less stressful. The key takeaway is that consistency doesn’t mean rigid adherence but showing up every day in a way that suits your current state.

Takeaways

• 😀 A rigid study routine may not work for everyone, as energy and motivation levels fluctuate daily.
• 😀 Inconsistency is normal and does not make you bad at studying or managing time; you just need a different approach.
• 😀 Copying routines from others, like waking up early or maintaining a perfect study space, can lead to burnout if it doesn't match your energy levels.
• 😀 The key to an effective study routine is flexibility, not perfection. Design a routine that adapts to your energy, not your ideal self.
• 😀 Low energy days are still productive—focus on light tasks like revising, organizing, or watching videos to stay connected with the subject.
• 😀 Medium energy days are your default mode for doing proper studying—practice questions, summarizing, or using techniques like the Feynman method.
• 😀 High energy days are rare but crucial—use them to tackle difficult topics or study for long periods when you feel focused.
• 😀 Avoid feeling guilty for not studying consistently or for not sticking to a rigid schedule—allow yourself to have ups and downs.
• 😀 Consistency in studying means showing up each day, even if it's for a smaller amount of time—don’t pressure yourself to do more.
• 😀 Stop romanticizing studying and create an environment that works for you, even if it’s messy or uncomfortable.
• 😀 The most important habit is to keep showing up for studying, regardless of the quality or quantity of the work done.

Q & A

What is the main issue the speaker addresses regarding studying?

The speaker focuses on inconsistency in studying and the emotional struggles associated with it. They emphasize how rigid study routines often don't work for people who experience fluctuating energy and mood levels.

How does the speaker describe their own inconsistency in studying?

The speaker admits that they are not a consistent person by default. They experience high-energy days where they can accomplish a lot and low-energy days where they struggle to get out of bed, which impacts their studying habits.

What is the problem with trying to follow routines of disciplined people?

The speaker tries to follow routines that involve waking up at 5 a.m. and being productive, but they often fail after a few days. They internalize these failures, thinking there is something wrong with them, rather than recognizing that the routine doesn’t suit them.

What shift did the speaker make in their approach to studying?

The speaker shifted from designing their study routine around time to designing it around their energy levels. They now focus on what they can realistically do on high- and low-energy days, instead of forcing themselves into rigid routines.

What is the 'three-mode model' mentioned in the script?

The 'three-mode model' refers to the study routine the speaker developed based on different energy levels: low-energy mode (easy tasks), medium-energy mode (normal study), and high-energy mode (intense study). This system allows for flexibility and helps the speaker manage fluctuating energy and motivation.

How does the speaker define low-energy mode?

Low-energy mode is for days when the speaker feels tired, distracted, or emotionally flat. On these days, they focus on lighter tasks like watching study videos, organizing notes, or doing easy practice questions to stay consistent without overexerting themselves.

What activities does the speaker do during medium-energy days?

On medium-energy days, the speaker engages in more focused study activities like solving practice questions, summarizing material, and using techniques like the Feynman technique to reinforce their understanding.

What distinguishes high-energy mode from the other modes?

High-energy mode occurs on rare days when the speaker feels highly focused and mentally sharp. These days are reserved for tackling difficult subjects or topics, as the speaker feels most motivated and capable of sustained deep work.

Why does the speaker avoid doing intense studying on low-energy days?

The speaker recognizes that forcing themselves to do intense study on low-energy days leads to frustration and self-criticism. This can create a cycle of guilt and aversion to studying, which makes the process more difficult.

How has the speaker's approach to consistency changed?

The speaker now defines consistency as showing up every day, regardless of performance. They focus on building the habit of studying consistently, but without demanding the same level of performance every day. They acknowledge that some days will be less productive, and that’s okay.