04 Aug 2016 | 3 mins

It can definitely be hard to work up the motivation to study–I know you’re all so over it by now (I was too)–but it isn’t really something you can neglect, no matter how half-assed you end up doing it.

Everyone studies in different ways, and you’ve got to try a few techniques before you really find what works for you.

But if you’re struggling with where to start, we’ve got a few tips that would please even the most Hermione of Grangers (and none of them are “don’t procrastinate”–we all know that one’s completely unrealistic).

1. Shut off your socials

This is probably the worst part about studying–you have to shut off your distractions. If you’re anything like me, those distractions are all located on the internet (we’ve all been down that YouTube black hole), so it’s easier said than done.

There are apps like SelfControl that restrict your access to sites you specify for a certain period of time, so you’ll have to be super productive until you can finally get back on to Twitter.

2. Highlighters

Hop on down to Coles and pick up the biggest pack of highlighters you can find–they’re going to be your best friend while you’re studying. Assign each subject a different colour and get busy going over your notes. Writing notes and going over them with highlighters will double the retention and help your brain associate colours with ideas.

Highlighters are also really useful in helping to break down and remember essays. Once you’ve written your drafts, have a colour for quotes, techniques, effects, topic/concluding sentences and any other component you might include.

Also, it just makes everything nicer to look at.

3. Distract your mouth

Throughout my final exams I basically lived on Chupa Chups and chewing gum. There has been a few studies linked to chewing gum and memory, and while nothing is proven, I’ve found it mainly helps with keeping concentration.

The lollipops provide the same function. I’m no Dr Karl, but I think it could have something to do with the fact that your because your mouth is occupied, you’re not thinking about food 24/7 (as we young people often do).

4. Don’t study in bed

You will fall asleep. And die. Your brain associates your bed with relaxing, so setting up a designated study space will help your brain and body get used to the idea of spending time revising.

5. To-do lists

Make to-do lists and study schedules weekly. It helps set goals, and it’s satisfying to tick stuff off when you’ve done it. Plus, it gets your parents off your back, ‘cause you can show them what you’ve done.

6. Make posters

Grab some butcher’s paper, or spare paper, or notepaper, or any paper, and write things you find hard to remember on them, like maths formulas, English quotes etc.

Put them up around your study space, your room, your bathroom (studying while showering: double the efficiency).

I wrote out my maths formulas on a huge sheet of paper and tacked it to my wardrobe, so it was the last thing I saw every night and the first thing I saw every morning. Nerdy as hell, but it worked.

7. Practice writing

This one’s for those of you who only get through the introduction before your hand cramps up–practice makes perfect.

Handwrite your notes, practise writing essays and answer questions on paper. You won’t be able to type your answers in the exams, and studies show more retention when you write things out by hand, so it makes sense to study the old fashioned way even just a little bit.

8. Tidy desk, tidy mind

This one’s kind of boring, the saying speaks for itself. Keeping your desk tidy will keep you focused on one thing at a time, and you won’t be flustering about trying to find that one worksheet your teacher gave you on that one Friday in March–you’ll know where it is straight away.

9. Make it fun

Unless you’re Hermione, no one ever really wants to study (do they????) so finding motivation is key.

Whether it’s pretty new stationery, the perfect study playlist or a unique study space, something that adds to the studying experience will help your inner Ravenclaw shine.

10. Treat 'yo self

Give yourself rewards throughout your study days. Snacks, social media breaks, exercise time (if you’re into that kind of thing). It’ll give you a little light at the end of the tunnel, as they say, and you’ll get to say “treat 'yo self” in a Tom Haverford voice whenever you do it.

What more motivation do you need?