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A guide to useful maintenance tips : For introverts and extroverts to polish up study routines

17 Jan 2021

By Patrick de Kretser Focusing on your studies can be awfully daunting at times, so much so that you might find yourself constantly staying up at night, trying to ponder how to get into the right headspace for your exams. For me and probably quite a few others reading this, it is not about how much we have to study or how difficult those subjects might be that worries us most, but rather how to get around to effectively studying for them. Formulating an effective study strategy is key at any given age, but trying to figure out exactly what might be the best method for you is no easy task. There are often quite a lot of articles that appear in many tabloids which talk about study methods, where options such as study journals and colour coding is recommended. While I would agree that a few of those tips might be useful, you might be like me when I say that it is not just about the tools you have in front of you that can define how productive you can be. So with that being said, I wanted to write this piece in order to talk about a study guide that relies less on the utensils we put in front of us – a guide which caters to the way we conduct ourselves. If that comes off as a bit confusing, rest assured, I will be elaborating on all of that in a moment. To put it simply, when we grow up in school, we tend to identify with one of two distinct personality traits. Those traits happen to be whether we lean towards an “introvert” mentality or an “extrovert” mentality. I am fairly certain that we all know quite well which category we align ourselves with, although it does not always have to be a black or white decision. I consider myself, for example, to align more with the premise of being an “ambivert”, meaning I feel like I possess a balance of both introverted and extroverted behaviour. For much of my early life until I finished my Ordinary Levels (O/Ls), I considered myself to be a rather hardline introvert, and the manner in which I conducted myself with my studies reflected that. Likewise, the manner in which I conducted myself once I felt the desire to explore my extroverted side after O/Ls also reflected in my studies. Hence, I will be using a lot of my own experiences to describe the ideas I have, which might help you regardless of where you align yourself on the introvert-extrovert spectrum.   Introverts  The most effective approach to studying always stems from the golden rule introverts follow – it is all about caring for yourself and learning to appreciate the things you understand and trust. While you might consider yourself a passive person who does not function well with studying in groups, especially if they are not close to you, you might still benefit a lot if you find like-minded people such as other introverts to study with. Put simply, here is a list comprising three basics tips that can help you with formulating the ideal study plan.  
  1. Find the ideal quiet spot and personalise it
  This is probably the cardinal rule you need to follow. Shuffling around and trying to switch between study spots is a frantic and tiring process, which will only serve to put you at a disadvantage and waste time unnecessarily. It is important to find that comfortable spot where you know you will not be distracted. Once you find that spot, stick to it and do not change it. It does not matter whether it might be at home, the library, or even on a specific couch at a café. Find it, personalise it, and utilise it to your heart’s content.  
  1. Keep rooms you use extensively tidy and improve physical wellbeing
  You might find this a little bit strange since I am not strictly referring to only keeping your study spot tidy. However, it is an extremely important rule and one which I wish I followed myself in the past. Keeping places such as your bedroom messy and leaving your appearance sloppy is not a good way of maintaining a proper routine, since you will be influenced by the dirty atmosphere around you, which will gradually demotivate you.  
  1. Plan leisure activities and slot them in at regular intervals
  Being an introvert does not mean you are not entitled to have fun once in a while. It is important to make sure that you do not feel confined to a small space or are left lonely with no one to turn to when you want to focus on something other than studies. With that being said, it is essential to have some downtime for yourself occasionally. If you have a close group of friends to hang out with or a favourite hobby you love to do in your free time, make sure to slot that in accordingly.   Extroverts    As for the extroverts, I would like to recommend a completely separate list of tips. This is a list I am far more familiar with, given that I consider myself fairly in line with the principles of being an extrovert these days. Everything on this list is something I practise regularly myself in order to keep active and focused, which is why I will be asking you to replicate the same levels of energy so that you can keep up. After all, you lot are extroverts, are you not? It is time to channel all that eccentric and enthusiastic energy into something that will yield you the best results.  
  1. Regularly change up your study environment
  This one should be fairly obvious, as it comes in direct contrast to what I would recommend to introverts. When you are an extrovert, it is important to get out of the house as much as you can and frequently visit new locations that may give you a new sense of motivation and purpose from time to time. I personally find this to be incredibly useful since I have a hard time being rooted in one spot, and being in the same environment for too long often makes me feel confined and anxious. Staying on your feet is a good way to keep your body active and your mind curious.  
  1. Find a study buddy or study group you can meet up with regularly
  I benefited greatly during my Advanced Levels (A/Ls) from having friends I could regularly meet after school or at someone’s house and study with. It can be awfully easy to get distracted when you are alone, especially if you are alone at home, which is why it is important to surround yourself with people who will actively keep you alert and have you working on the clock towards your goal of getting good grades for your final exams. Plus, you get to hang out with your friends more often this way. What is there not to love about this?  
  1. Adopt an active fitness routine and slot in at regular intervals while studying
  Finally, as an extrovert, you really need to utilise every opportunity you have to get out of the house. I cannot stress it enough (although I already did this quite a bit with my first tip) how important it is to stay on your feet and constantly keep your body and mind active. With that being said, exercise is probably the ideal solution to this issue. While several other leisure activities could be named as useful options as well, exercise is probably the most effective way of ensuring that you maintain a positive mental state, which is especially important these days with the pandemic going on. I can easily attest to how useful this will be in the long run, as it will feel like you are always constantly making progress towards something good, even if you do not feel like you are on top of your studies at the moment. One thing is certain, never underestimate the power of dopamine.   Photos Ciel HR, Finance 101, Wallpaperflare, WallpaperUP, IG Wealth Management, LABS


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