Studying during the holidays.

[Ren3004]

Okay, here's the deal. Last year I failed a subject in University, and I had the option to take another exam in September to pass. Well, I signed up, took two weeks of holidays after my exams, and then proceeded to study for three more weeks during the summer. Needless to say, studying was one of the last things that I wanted to do and I spent most of the time feeling that I couldn't remember anything I read, couldn't focus, and after a few minutes of reading, all I wanted was to throw my book away. Well, come September, I fail the practical exam again, so I had 4 more days before the classes started, and I had to take that subject again this year. And here's the kicker, I actually passed even though I barely studied.

Well, this year I failed another subject, and I can take the exam again this September. I'm less than psyched about having to spend another year without summer holidays, especially since I like this subject less, the recommended book is the same (and I really don't like it), and this year's exam season has more subjects, so I'll probably get to the holidays quite tired.

So, should I try and spend my holidays studying, even if I feel like it's all for nothing, just in case they make an easier exam? Should I give up if I feel I can focus and enjoy my holidays? When you're in this kind of situation, have to you do to get motivation?

 

[Sleekgiant]

Why not do both, constant studying will just numb your brain, take some time out of your day to study and use the rest to relax.

 

[Marter]

I would do some studying, mixed with breaks of fun. That's what I would do, except that those breaks would probably be longer than the actual studying part. XD

To get motivated, just think about how much better your life will be after you finish university.

 

[SeanTheSheep]

Revision always works best when interspersed with short breaks.
What I always recommend is 40 minutes of pure revision, followed by 10 minutes of fun, or 2 hours of revision, and half an hour of something else if that suits you better.
And don't revise just the curriculum, research each topic, look into it and further your understanding of the topic, that should help you retain the knowledge better.

Never spend a whole day doing nothing but studying, it very rarely works out.

As for motivation, just think about your ten minutes of fun, but don't get distracted, always keep your mind on task.

 

[Wadders]

Maybe you should study and apply yourself the first time round, so you dont have to end up retaking exam after exam and put yourself through all of this.

Works for most people.

However, I can understand your hatred of revision and studying, as I'm a few days into my end of year exams for uni. I'm not really motivated at all until about 2 weeks before the exams, them I study like hell and learn all the stuff I should have learned before, and pass them. Fingers crossed I will this year too.

For studying, I'd advise an hour to an hour and a half of focused study (unplug your PC and your TV, go outside, or some other place where there are no distractions) then reward yourself with some time off. I must admit, I reward myself more than I study, but I've managed to pass all my exams so far

 

[Srdjan]

I never did it.

 

[Ren3004]

Maybe you should stop failing classes? I don't know why you're failing so many classes, but it really just sounds like you don't give a shit about university in the first place. If you don't like learning, then maybe whatever career path you've chosen just isn't for you, and you should spend some time this summer evaluating your life, and figuring out if university is really the path for you.

I only failed those two subjects, which happen to be some of the hardest. The first one has a 75% failure rate pretty much every year and 80% failed the second subject this year. I have tried hard for all my exams for those two subjects, they're just hard. I passed all my other subjects with pretty good grades, and I love what I'm learning to the point I don't see myself doing anything else with my life, so I don't think I can be accused of not caring about University.

And of course I wasn't planning on studying 24/7 during the holidays. But last year I found myself getting unfocused even after short periods of revision. It ended as a situation where I could neither study nor have fun. I guess I can try to manage it better this year. Thanks for all the answers so far.