Don’t Feel Like Studying? Read this Blog

We’ve all been there. You sit down to study, open your books, and suddenly, everything else seems more interesting. It can be your phone, a random Instagram reel, or even just staring at the wall and notices and the cracks you hadn’t noticed before. If you can relate to this case, if you too feel bored while studying and try to escape it every moment, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Guess what? Most of us med students feel the same way and have thus created ways to escape this feeling.

As a fellow serial procrastinator, I have written down some things that every procrastinator should know. Here are the things you should do when you just don’t feel like studying.

The “Two-Minute Rule”

Most of the time we procrastinate because we are scared of committing to the long task. The thought of committing to a long study session is overwhelming. So I’d say don’t aim for an hour. Instead, put a timer and study for two minutes. Yes, just two minutes.

Why? Because once you get started, it’s easier to keep going. Most of the time, the part where you feel the most inertia is in the start. Promise yourself, “I’ll just read one page.” Before you know it, you will have read ten. 

Starting small helps overcome the mental block of starting at all.

Time table psychology

This is always an important part to set up a schedule that does not make you dread study. You should set up a timetable that is direct and specific. Also, make a timetable that does not restrict you. Keep some buffer time for yourself.

• Instead of “study biochemistry for three hours,” try to set a goal that says “read carbohydrate metabolism from Satyanarayan up till HMP pathway.”
• Break your task into chapters or specific topics, like “read two pages of anatomy” or “revise ten questions.”

By breaking it down, you’ll feel more in control, and each small victory will give you a mini dopamine hit, pushing you to keep going.

You can also allot time blocks instead of exact hours of the day. 

Change Your Study Space

Sometimes, a change in environment can be of massive help. If you’re always stuck in your room or at your desk, try studying in a different space.

• Go to a library or a quiet cafe..
• Just shift to a different room in your house.
• Sit on the floor.

I usually just take my books and a highlighter and shift to the floor. It helps to get over the slump and also grounds me (quite literally).

Study in Short Sessions: Pomodoro

This is that one trick that you read about in every blog but never use. Let me tell you, if you feel the need to be pushed to study, Pomodoro is going to help you a lot. Study for 25 minutes, take a 5-minute break, and repeat. After four cycles, take a longer break of 15-30 minutes.

You don’t have to gather the energy to sit through 1 hour, you just have to gather enough motivation to study for 25 minutes. And 25 minutes are barely anything for a medical student/neet aspirant.

Knowing that a break is coming up makes the study session feel much more manageable.

Use the “Reward Yourself” Trick

This is similar to how your parents conditioned you when you were a child. Whenever you did something bad, your play-time was cut and when you did something good, you got a treat. So why not take a page out of their book and bribe yourself? 

Set a small reward for completing a study session.

• “If I study physiology for an hour, I’ll treat myself with some maggi.”
• Or, “Once I finish revising 3 chapters from A.K Jain, I’ll watch an episode of Brooklyn 99.”

The kid in you will work hard for the reward. The process will also gradually trick your brain into associating studying with positive rewards.

Phone a Friend

In MBBS or NEET life, studying alone is not always the best option. Once in a while, a group study session can get you back on track. Usually when I was lagging behind in my NEET prep, I used to sit down for a study session with the toppers of the class.

At the end of the session I would walk away with a lot of motivation to study. Mostly because I felt like I knew nothing, but also because these people inspired me. They showed me what a good work ethic and disciplined schedule looked like. 

Try it for yourself, you will be more likely to stay focused (and accountable) for longer. Quiz each other, discuss topics, and exchange notes.

Reconnect With Your “Why”

It does not hurt to reflect and remember your long term goals sometimes. What brings you to this career? Where have you come from? What is at stake? Think about the bigger picture. Think about these facts:

1. You are working to become a DOCTOR.
2. Imagine yourself in a white coat, in the hospital building, the staff around you addressing you as ‘Doctor sir/ma’am.

What you are doing today matters in getting there. Your dreams are nothing without effort.

Be Kind to Yourself

Sometimes, the pressure to study comes with a lot of self-blame and anxiety. You are tired and burned out to an extent that you cannot physically work anymore, But you start feeling guilty for procrastinating or not being productive enough. At such times, please be kind to yourself. Remind yourself that it’s okay to rest once in a while.

Don’t beat yourself up. Take a deep breath, start with a small step, and remind yourself that progress is still progress, no matter how slow or how small. You are here, you work and you dream and you should be proud of yourself for that.

You’ve Got This

Studying isn’t always fun, and feeling unmotivated is normal. But with these strategies you can turn things around and get back on track. Remember, it’s about starting small and staying consistent.

So next time you don’t feel like studying, come back to this blog, try out a tip or two, and take the first step. 

You’ve got this, future doctor!