How to Get Interested in Studies?

“Can we do something else?” quipped Jonathan, former star of the high school football team. It’s been three days now that he has asked Jamie to help him with his studies. He was desperate to score well in the next test, for it was the only way for him to land admission in his dream institute.

But, as Jamie observed, Joan, despite his best motives, failed to concentrate on his studies. He had hardly flipped a page before he asked Jaime if they could skip the study session. It was severe, and Jonathan needs help!

If this is what haunts you too, read on… There is light at the end of this tunnel.

Lack of concentration or plain apathy towards studies is a phenomenon that we all have experienced in our lives. For school and college students, it’s more like acne but less worrisome.

For many students, it is transitory, and books start attracting them in a while. Quite a few acts wise and go to great lengths to dispel the negativity. However, some fail to acknowledge the symptoms and succumb to this disinterest, adding to the number of dropouts.

Whatever the case may be, it’s essential to identify the causes of the growing disinterest.

Table of Contents

What Keeps Us Away from Studies?

Each student is different and has varied tastes and interests that determine their affinity towards the study table. But here are a few of the most prevalent factors that contribute to keeping us away from studies.

The idea of school: Our idea about school more often than not directly influences our studies’ attitude. If it’s all about fun and frolics, books can hardly grab our attention. If it’s about sports, classes take a backseat, and if something about school bothers you, well studies will be bothersome.
Subjects: All of us have a favourite subject and the ones that we dread. While the item we love might boost our overall grades, the subject that we dread may add a year to the academic career, and it’s a reason enough to lose interest in studies.
Setbacks: Sometimes going gets rough and we might face some delays. Faring poorly in the subject of interest, personal or professional setbacks can negatively impact our studies’ attitude.
Friends: A student’s life is complicated, and friends add to these complications (on a lighter note). Healthy competition within the study circle can make one productive, unhealthy lifestyle and missed classes to be ‘in’ or ‘cool,’ ensuring that the books gather dust.
Family: While the home is considered the first school, family problems can adversely affect studies. As stats in the US reveal, first-generation students, form a significant percentage of dropouts.

Let’s Get Back to the Study Table:

If the acne problem persists, it’s always advisable to treat it under medical supervision, so do growing disinterest in studies requires attention.

Here are a few of the tried and tested remedies that can bring anyone back to studies.

Motivation

Pep talks, motivational speakers, lifestyle gurus, et al. Appeal to this human tendency to usher in the desired change from within. While it might sound boisterous, it’s the most potent remedy to curb the growing disinterest in studies.

All you need to do is search for:

Intrinsic motivation: A subject of interest within the school curriculum, a personal academic achievement, or even a positive remark on the assignment sheet can be a tremendous natural motivator. Focusing on it will surely help one get back to books.
Extrinsic motivation: Academic achievements can form a small part of a higher goal or a means to attain the desired end. Whatever it might be, focusing on how studies will help achieve long-term goals can act as a driving force.

Habits

Habits, while secure form, are hard to lose. Acquiring the right habits will surely be a permanent cure. Begin with:

Timetable: Grab a notebook, chart paper, and a marker, jot down the hour(s) you might sit on the study desk, designate a particular period for each subject, add the remaining number of days of the week and vary the subjects. Use the chart paper and the marker to draw the timetable and paste it where you can’t escape its sight.
Lighting: Make sure you reposition your study desk to get maximum light (natural and artificial). Keep your room brightly lit while studying.
Start: Always begin the study hour with the subject you dread most. Even if it bores to death, stick to the timing, and do not skip.
End with: End each study session with your favourite subject, don’t overdo it and stick to the timings.

Goals

Set academic goals; keep them realistic. Have a long term goal and chart the path to achieve it. Add short term goals along the road and make sure to refer to them once in a while.

Rewards

Treat yourself at the end of each study session or after achieving a set goal. Please don’t go overboard, keep it real.

While Away from the Table

Textual knowledge, in contrast to the general notion of not effectively contributing to practical life, is relative to our affairs. Develop a keen sight to:

Relate: Try and relate anything that grabs your attention to texts, class lectures, and study sessions. While someone doing taxes might remind you of Math, the sparkling snow is reflecting sun rays, and the rainbow is sun rays passing through water particles distorted by dust and other particles floating in the air. Ah! The list is endless.
Take note: If anything entices your imagination, make a note, and try finding the answer. Thank the stars, and you don’t have to visit the library, Google it!
Process: Take some time off each day to deliberate on your findings or on what you heard or talked about.
Discuss: Share what you know or be vocal about your doubts. Keep learning while on the go.

“While the causes of growing disinterest in studies might be many, the ways of getting back to books are easy, fun, and rewarding.

All you need is a bit of grit and determination.” Jamie announced while handing Jonathan a glass of Lemonade, and it was a reward for productively completing day three!

What Keeps Us Away from Studies?