We have all encountered subjects in school or college that seem to have an uncanny ability to drain the enthusiasm right out of our bodies. These boring subjects can make studying feel like an impossible fete, which makes maintaining motivation in such situations seem like an insurmountable challenge.
However, even the dullest subjects can become fascinating with an adequate approach. Hence, this article explores practical tips, strategies, and techniques you can incorporate into your study schedule. Therefore, read on to explore how to make boring subjects enjoyable through various methods.
How to Survive a Boring Class: Best Tips and Practices
What makes a subject boring? Well, the answer is entirely subjective. It mainly boils down to what keeps you interested and on your toes. What might fascinate you might not be interesting at all for someone else. Moreover, the teaching method and the instructor make the most significant difference when it comes to studying in a physical setting.
According to research, 1 in every 3 students in high school is bored almost all the time. This means that many find boring subjects in school intolerable, whether that be due to uninteresting issues or uninspiring instructors.
Hence, engaging and making the most of these situations can be valuable. This section will discuss the best tips and practices to help you engage in class and push you through surviving a boring class in college or high school.
Actively Listen in Class
Even in the most boring of classes, there are often essential pieces of information that you need to grasp. The stated information might be mentioned in the exam or not covered in your books. Hence, you need to make a conscious effort to listen actively, improving your information retention.
So, what can you do? Take notes during the lecture, first and foremost. Even if you find the material boring, jotting down important points can help you maintain engagement and provide a study resource for when you’re doing your individual study.
Participate Actively
If it is appropriate, participate in class discussions and ask questions. Make it all as often as possible. By engaging actively, you make it more relevant and exciting. Participating in class helps with several aspects, including achievement, perception of self, and retention.
By participating more often, you get the chance to ask more questions and listen to the input of your classmates. This pushes you to focus more intently during class, which is how you can survive through a boring class.
Get Enough Sleep Before Class
Have you ever experienced fuzzy thinking during class? That is when you feel like your mind is clouded or preoccupied with other thoughts. Getting enough sleep is the number one method of eliminating this issue. Getting enough sleep before a class is guaranteed to boost your focus.
Read the Material Beforehand
Sometimes, if you study things before your class, it might allow you to engage better in class. That is because when you often research and prepare for the material beforehand, items become more attractive in class. When things make sense, it pushes you to engage more effectively in class.
Try to Stir Clear from Digital Tools
While you might be using your laptop for note-taking, turn off your Wi-Fi to eliminate the chances of getting distracted by notifications or your social media feed. If you believe you cannot control the urge to check your social media accounts, consider using third-party applications that lock you out of specific websites and applications.
Consider Taking the Occasional Break
Research shows that regular short breaks push you to become more productive and reduce the amount of stress and anxiety you feel. Hence, consider taking a break now and then, possibly taking a bathroom break, walking around, and thinking for a second. Make sure you come back intending to remain focused in class.
Check Visuals
Sometimes, the best thing to do is improve your retention through visuals. If you have access to the internet through your iPad or your laptop, then search for relevant graphs, visuals, or pictures that provide visual aid, allowing you to study a subject in real-time.
7 Fun and Smart Ways to Make Boring Subjects More Interesting
So, what makes a subject interesting? Well, it is all about your approach. The way you study can radically revolutionize the way you perceive a topic. Hence, turning boring subjects into interesting ones can be a valuable skill for anyone who wants to remain motivated in their studies. This section will discuss the seven fun and smart ways to make even the most tedious topics more enjoyable.
Real-Life Applications and Case Studies
The reason a subject can be boring is because it might make you feel disconnected from the real world. Hence, seek real-world applications or examples that allow you to relate to the subject. For example, if you are studying a history topic, explore how past events have shaped our present. An alternative is using virtual reality tours to help you analyze historical sites.
Using Mnemonics and Acronyms
Mnemonic devices are an incredible tool that boost retention of information, allow you to recall items better, and stick with you for a very long time. Hence, create memorable acronyms, rhymes, or devices to help you remember critical concepts or lists in a subject. These can add an element of fun and playfulness when you are learning more boring topics.
Use Apps and Educational Games
Numerous educational applications and online games are tailored toward different subjects. These often use interactive quizzes, challenges, and rewards. Not only does this turn your learning experience into a more enjoyable one, it also enables the competitive component.
But which applications and tools should you use? Well, you can use flashcard apps such as Anki and Quizlet. However, if you want more intensive and comprehensive explanations, utilize apps such as Khan Academy.
Use Art and Creativity
Sometimes, using your other skills and hobbies make things more interesting. For instance, if you are into arts and crafts, using these skills to study more complex topics brings more fun and enjoyment.
Expressing subjects through art allows you to visualize and interpret concepts more uniquely and personally. For example, if you’re studying the periodic table, you can create a colorful representation of the elements. This can keep you engaged and bring your creative side out.
Listen to Music
Consider listening to music while studying, which is one of the fun ways to explore boring topics. Sometimes, you simply cannot focus because you’re too distracted or lacking motivation. This is where music comes in. It can help you set your mind and bring yourself into the right headspace.
So, use music to enhance your learning experience. Create playlists of background music that assist you in focusing and associating the material with particular songs. However, choose calm and slow music to avoid distracting yourself with excessive beats and fast tracks.
Turn it Into a Story and Write Your Own Narrative
Consider transforming a topic into a story, which can be particularly effective for subjects like literature and history. Create characters, settings, and plotlines that revolve around the key concepts you are attempting to learn. The storytelling approach turns the material into a more exciting adventure, which makes it more memorable.
Teach the Material
The best way to learn something is to teach it. Try explaining the subject to someone else, whether it’s a friend, family member, or even an imaginary student. This forces you to understand the material deeply and can make it more interesting as you explore different ways to convey the information.
This is known as the protégé effect. Teaching or pretending to teach someone can help you immensely with boring topics. That is because it forces you to leave your bubble and learn more about the subject. It also allows you to develop more creative learning methods and teaching a topic.
Wrapping Things Up: How to Study Boring Subjects and Make it More Interesting?
In conclusion, battling the tedium of boring topics requires creative strategies to make things more fun. In this article, we first discussed how to survive boring classes, including active listening and adequate sleep before class. Then, we explored how to study boring subjects.
The key takeaway is that your approach can change how you perceive a topic. Mastering boring topics is about finding the right connections. Hence, don’t give in to boredom. Instead, conquer it through the tips and tricks we discussed in this guide.