My Learning Experience Blog - by Emma Cannaby #6 Training to study  (To find out why Emma is writing about her own learning experience - click here)

When trying to study, you find you have to get into some sort of routine. I have had to learn new ways of writing, research, learning and memorising information.  I find this is very similar to any form of training, recently training myself to work is similar to training my dog to be good. Mr C finds many of the commands are the same too. This has been important this month as I have an exam at the end of October followed by an essay in for 2 days later.

As I mentioned earlier, I have a learning system, I have designated learning sessions which can only be moved if there is something more important, not just that CSI or Criminal Minds is on, or worse, X-factor. So when I try to move on a designated revision period the commands are somewhere along the lines of:

Sit
This is the command to go back into the office, usually it is followed by “Tea?” or “are you hungry?”. This is the reward if I do as I am told.  So off I trot into the office, pull up the chair and crack on. It's at this point when I realise the changes I have had to make to get to this position.

I recently acquired an office - the best £200 spent in IKEA - which consist of 4 bookcases, a desk and a cabinet for pens. This room used to be my dressing room / walk in wardrobe. When taking up a degree or masters whilst working, you notice your priorities change. In my case I have swapped cosmetics for computers and beauty for books.

Stay
This is the command to not leave the house as an action of procrastination (as I explained in #4, this is usually to ponder over chocolate). This action is usually rewarded by Mr C returning home with a surprise bag of chocolate, saving me time and fuelling me for the next couple of hours. I have noticed over the past few months I have less time to go out. I am not saying I have become socially inept, just that I have had to prioritise my time and merged social visits. I had some university friends over for a barbeque during the ‘heatwave’ where Hull was warmer than Jamaica apparently (I know where I would rather be though). I used this opportunity to invite the neighbours to come round as we kept meaning to have them over, so we managed to narrow the two visits into one.

Fetch
This is the command where I have to go down stairs for my own Tea.  Usually after 5 hours of shouting for top-up-tea, lunch and maybe a snack or two. Mr C can get weary of helping me study and I can once again venture to the kitchen to take a break. Often when this happens, I end up having a hot chocolate and Fudge Biscuits. A brilliant combination, but adds 3 miles to my run.

With this I notice that to be able to be at your best for both work and studying, you either need to give up more things, create time or have a sidekick. As I do not currently own Bernard’s watch and I am a do-er, I have happily settled for a sidekick. “Behind every great man there's a great woman” well, for me, it’s the other way around. There is nothing better than having lots of support during your studies

Beg
This is something that has to happen. I have been in the house all day, partaking in a constant feeding frenzy. I do hit a low point. The ‘sugar crash’ hits and I cannot do anything but beg for more. Mr C is under the strict instructions from me the day before to not let me eat any more chocolate. Now I decide that I was lying yesterday and I NEED the chocolate.

What’s the lesson here? Don’t make any assumptions on how you feel.  This is not just food related, but it's mood.  Sometimes you just don’t feel like studying.  I had a chest infection early September and I didn't want to be awake, or asleep or up or down let alone studying.  As much planning you do, always have a contingency plan, something else may come up, or you may just not feel like it.

DIN-DINS
Finally.  This is a sign that revision must be over.  This could be up to 10 hours on a Saturday or Sunday (with breaks), and I can finally eat real food. After studying for my masters I know Mr C would have made me something amazing, roast belly of pork, pheasant stew, fajitas, leg of lamb, maybe paella!!!.... mmmm.....

Treat yourself, when you feel a bit lethargic, give yourself a mental pat on the back. It is difficult researching, writing and learning, you use a lot of mental energy. Take a long bath and relax, after all, you’re worth it.

 >>Back to blogs