The LourensBreytenbach.com BLOG
Studying should not be such a pain!
Use the checklists. Tick what you did.. Say the lines out loud if you need to. Set a timer. Do 15–20 minutes. Tick what you did. The more you use the anchors and checklists, the easier startingbecomes. How to get the most out of it:
• Read one page at a time. Don't try to do everything at once.
• Print it and keep it near your study spot.
• Use a pen — tick boxes, write on the lines.
• Do the friend survey — it helps to know you're not alone.
• Fill the session log after every study time. Small wins add up fast.
What to Say to Yourself
Your brain is excellent at finding reasons not to study: "I'm tired", "It's boring", "I'll do it later", "I don't understand anyway". That's normal. Don't fight the feeling.
Instead, say one of these lines (out loud or in your head) then move your body:
"I don't feel like it. But I'm going to do 15 minutes anyway."
"Let's just open the book and look at the first page. That's all."
"Starting is the hardest part. Once I start, it usually gets easier."
"I don't have to finish everything. I just have to begin the first tiny thing."
Real example:
You're staring at Maths after school. Brain says "This is too hard, scroll instead." You say: "I don't feel like it. But I'm going to do 15 minutes anyway." Then you stand up, walk to the kitchen table by the window (daylight is free and good), put your water bottle down, open the book to page 47, set the timer, and put the phone in the drawer. You read the first example. You started. That's the win.
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