How to Make Studying Not Suck
Whoa, you’ve done it. You’re sitting down, focused, just poured your coffee (or wine), and ready to straight-up slay this study sesh. First of all, major kudos to you; creating this time to study for your BCBA Exam is one of the hardest parts.
However, that study dread slowly but surely is starting to creep up. Holy $#*t, why does this always feel like pulling teeth? THERE ARE WAYS TO MAKE THIS NOT SUCK. Believe us; we’ve sat in the same seat as you.
Yeah, that’s right—pretty simple ways too. Some of the best methods to create a realistic and fun study environment for yourself are already right in front of you. So, go ahead and pour a tall glass of something; it’s 5 am or 5 pm somewhere, and let’s get this done.
Use the Resources from Study Notes ABA
Shameless plug, but it’s true! Our wide variety of study resources like collectives, CEU courses, workbooks, mock exams, specialty classes, tutoring, and more are all designed for one thing—to make studying not #suck.
As two #bitches that have been through this exact process, we can confidently tell you that we’ve developed a comprehensive toolbox of solutions to cover a vast range of study needs. Building ourselves as being real, raw, and relatable—we know the exact cure for your study ailments and offer them in a fun and inviting way.
Whether it’s attending one of our classes, tuning into the #BehaviorBitchesPodcast, downloading our app, or simply reading our blogs from REAL students, we give you everything you need to PASS THE F#%KING TEST.
Buy Things That Enhance Your Study Game
Fun things, organizational things, tasty things… all things! Everyone knows that dropping a little bit of cash on yourself is #SelfCare, which leads to a better mindset and healthier study habits.
Set up desk space that brings you peace and try to avoid studying on the couch #ChillinTooHard. Having things on your desk like a candle will surround you with a positive learning environment and will serve as a gentle reminder that when your candle is lit, that’s when you’re focused—also known as stimulus control, am I right? Doing this will help you retain information and keep your focus game strong. You’d also be surprised by how much a fine liner pen set or coloring activities book can do for your organizational and time management skills.
By having all your favorite study supplies handy (pens, papers, post-its, glitter, stickers, highlighters or our R+ Pairing Pack, which is #AmazingAF) and ready to put to work, you’ll be able to streamline your study process and blast through even the most challenging chapters, all while maintaining some swagtastic style. Your new pens and organizational books will become your new BFFs—besides us, of course.
Find Your Happy Place and Go There
Nature reserves, coffee shops, local breweries, your basement—all of these count as happy places. Sometimes the best cure for study block is addressing your cabin fever. By switching up your surroundings, you’ll feel a sense of refreshment that works to clear your mind and make studying simpler.
On top of this, going to public spaces is a great way to meet other people who might be in the same boat as you. Collaborating and interacting with one another has been proven to boost productivity and improve your growth mindset. As a wise bitch once said, “if you can talk it, you can test it.” So go ahead, bring a friend, or find a new one, and share a drink over a shared goal of becoming a BCBA.
Set Realistic Goals and Celebrate Accomplishments
No, you won’t, and you don’t need to read that entire chapter in one day. Seriously, set realistic, achievable goals, and benchmark your progress. By doing this, you’ll be chewing off bite-size pieces of a much larger pie (pizza?) that will literally make this entire process more digestible.
Once you’ve hit a goal, take a break, pat yourself on the back #AutomaticReinforcement, enjoy a little bit of celebration and relaxing activity. Even taking an hour between study milestones to do something mindfully, like going on a short walk, will go a long way for your focus level.
Final Thoughts
Studying can suck; we all know this. But you’re not alone in this fight, and there are so many simple ways to make it not suck, dare we say actually making it enjoyable too. By choosing just one, two, three, or all our suggestions, you’ll take your study game to the #NextLevel and will learn to appreciate this process with the same passion #MO and fire that you already have for this field.
Love ya. Mean it!
About the Author:
Alex Heilbronn was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. He was immersed in the music scene from a young age and found a passion for the lyrics and messages that drove meaning behind songs, primarily classic country. Instead of growing up to be a songwriter, he graduated with a business degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and is now a copywriter and overall internet nerd.
As someone who slightly resembles Pete Davidson, Alex has found his specialty in writing about mental health, therapy, and being an overall bad bitch. When he’s not working on his writing, you can find him drawing, painting, spending time outside, or at the gym getting yoked.
