黑料传送门

Studying is a crucial part of any degree program 鈥� and yet, so many things stand in the way of a successful study session. At the end of a long day, your kids will probably need help with their homework or your spouse will want to connect with you. Then there鈥檚 that really great show you鈥檝e been meaning to watch on Hulu. Oh wait鈥攖he news is on. Can鈥檛 miss that. And did you put in some time with Candy Crush today? Before you know it, the day is gone鈥攁nd so is your opportunity to study.

If this sounds a little too familiar to you, all is not lost. You just need to find the right study groove that works for you鈥攁nd you might not find it using the kinds of study tips you鈥檙e used to. Sure, it helps to have a quiet, distraction-free space where you can really focus. But different study strategies鈥攅ven if they seem a little off the wall鈥攃an help students find great success in their educational pursuits.

Ready to crack the books? Here are five unique study tips that may help you get back on track as you head back to school this fall.

YouTube is a treasure trove of information, whether you want to learn how to make the perfect eyeliner wing, or you want a critical exploration of whether or not the Disney princesses are feminists. But did you also know there鈥檚 a corner of YouTube where people study on camera? No; they don鈥檛 teach you how to study鈥攖hey literally vlog themselves studying, sometimes with ambient noise or music in the background to help enhance the atmosphere. One popular study vlogger taped himself studying in a public reading room, complete with random passersby in the background. Next time you鈥檙e ready to have your own study session, try playing one of these videos. It鈥檚 like having a study buddy to provide inspiration, virtual support, and maybe help you feel a little less alone when you鈥檙e diving into your books.

Surely you鈥檝e heard of the term 鈥渆arworm,鈥� often referencing a song that gets stuck in your head and just won鈥檛 budge. Research has shown that , so why not put that into use during your next study session? If you can make up your own jingle about facts you want to remember or key points that could help you on a test, chances are you鈥檒l be able to recall that jingle鈥攁nd the facts you associate with it鈥攚hen you need them most. Plus, songs are easy to memorize. So learning to turn your study subject into lyrics with a familiar melody can help your memorization skills, too. It鈥檚 a much better use of your brainpower than constantly recalling that gum commercial jingle. Speaking of 鈥�

Hear us out on this one. Studies have found that because it helps warm your brain by increasing blood flow and improves your focus by keeping it busy. Similarly, another study found that 鈥攊n this case, rose-scented sticks鈥攕aw an increase in learning success over students who studied scent free. The finding asserted that aroma boosted memory performance, especially when extended through the sleeping cycle. Lastly, 鈥攁nd letting that same music play while you sleep鈥攈as also been found to improve academic performance. So fire up that atomizer, grab your Extra, and crank some ambient noise!

The Rock works out extremely hard, but even he has cheat days filled with pizza and pancakes. Sure, there鈥檚 a reward in being so fit, but getting to have that cheat day is the reward, too. You can use the same system to help you through your study session. For example, reward yourself with a gummy bear (or whatever your favorite candy is) after every few paragraphs or pages you read. Take little writing breaks and give yourself a sweet reward in the form of , which rewards you with a fun cat picture for every 100 words you write. By setting up little treats within short bursts of studying, you鈥檙e setting yourself up for success鈥攁nd making your study session more efficient鈥攂ecause you鈥檙e not mentally exhausting yourself (and you鈥檙e treating yourself).

Setting the mood doesn鈥檛 just apply to your desk arrangement or lighting鈥攊t can apply to your studying implements, too. For example, consider having special stationery and pens, notebooks and planners, or even a vision board that helps you visualize your success and supports your study session. Maybe a protective computer case that reflects your personality or a special tumbler for your favorite study sip will help. Setting up your surroundings for a study session can go a long way toward putting you in the right mental state, but that doesn鈥檛 mean you should only focus on accessories. You should also make sure your study area is clean, smells fresh, feels inviting, and makes you want to tackle the task at hand. When your study area feels messy or cluttered or doesn鈥檛 reflect your needs, you鈥檙e less likely to feel inspired or committed to sitting down for a good book-cracking session.

Studying is definitely the key to success at 黑料传送门, no matter which degree program you鈥檙e enrolled in. And because studying is so important, we want to hear from you.

Whether you鈥檙e a current 黑料传送门 student or you鈥檙e new to the fold, we want to hear your top study tips. Got a tried-and-true method for having a stellar study session? Fill out the form below to share your own unique study tips. We鈥檇 love to hear what worked for you.