After completing treatment, you have many different directions you can choose to go. Engaging in work or school are common paths for people returning to their lives after treatment.
If you choose to further your education at this time, you may find that succeeding in school takes a great deal of your focus. It can be overwhelming to manage these stressors while you are still putting in a great deal of effort to maintain your sobriety. Fortunately, by using study tactics and applying them to your education, you may be able to relieve some of the stress of returning to school.
Determining which study skills work the best for you may take some experimentation. As each individual develops a different learning style, the way we process information may differ from our peers. If you try one of these techniques and find that it did not benefit you as you had hoped, try another technique and see if you learn better with an alternative method. Many people benefit from varying or combining study techniques to keep their brains engaged with learning.
Time Management
Furthering your education can often make people feel like there is not enough time in the day to get everything done. However, when you are making the most out of your day and managing your time well, you may be surprised by the amount you can accomplish.
To help you make the most out of your time and eliminate the stress of deadlines, try the following tips.
- Find what time of day you study the best. Studying during this time every day can help you retain focus and stay productive during your study session.
- Set deadlines for yourself. As most projects and assignments have deadlines in place, it can be helpful to set your own personal deadline at least a day or two before the official due date. This extra time can keep you ahead and help you avoid missing any official deadlines.
- Make a to-do list. This is a great way to stay organized and have a clear list of the tasks you need to complete each day. This can lower the potential of forgetting commitments or losing track of your tasks. It can also be a satisfying way to see your progress.
Learning and Retaining Information
These skills often need to be experimented with to discover the most efficient methods for you and your learning style. Studying effectively can help you retain the information you are learning and better understand the necessary material to succeed in your classes and future career.
#1. Chunking
Chunking is a term used to describe the action of breaking down large pieces of information into smaller chunks. Looking at things in a more detailed manner can help some individuals to make better sense of the information and link the knowledge together.
#2. Carrying
This study method is just as it sounds: carrying information with you in your pocket. Using a small pocket-sized notebook, you can write down key terms and main ideas, reviewing the information when you have a few minutes of downtime. This is a great way to use your time efficiently and take advantage of the spare minutes you have.
#3. Flashcards
Using flashcards is an incredible way to make learning fun. Making flashcards is a way to engage your brain in the learning process. Afterward, as you quiz yourself on the information, you can see how much you have learned with each attempt. It can be rewarding to see the stack of cards get smaller and smaller as you keep studying. Flashcards often work best when you are learning new terms.
Time to Reset
After studying for long periods, you stop retaining information efficiently. Your brain can get overworked and may need a break every once in a while. Allowing yourself short breaks every hour to get up and walk around and let your mind reset can drastically improve your study sessions.
Not only is it important to take occasional breaks, but it is also important to change your location. Some people find that they enjoy studying in one specific area. That is completely okay if you focus well in that desired location; however, for many others, the mind gets bored and tired when stuck in the same place. Switching up locations in which you study can be a great way to prevent this occurrence. Even switching to a different seat at a café or sitting in a different room in your house can promote learning. Not only can your surroundings impact your recovery, but they can impact your educational success as well.
Most importantly, don’t stress yourself out. There will be many points at which it feels like you have so much to do and so little time. Take everything one step at a time, and you will get through it, just as you did in treatment. Remaining calm and keeping a clear state of mind can allow you to focus on the information you are learning and retain it efficiently.
A common pathway for people to follow after working through addiction treatment is to further their education. This is an exciting step to reach; however, it can be overwhelming. While working to maintain sobriety and not lose sight of the progress you have made through recovery, you may find managing school alongside that to be challenging. Using some simple techniques can help you manage your schoolwork and lower your stress levels. You can get through this by learning to manage your time, implementing new study techniques, and allowing your mind to reset. Discovering which study technique works best for you may take some experimentation and patience. However, it is worth the commitment when you see the positive results. With these skills, you can keep sobriety maintenance as your primary focus. To learn more about different study tactics to implement, reach out to Dream Recovery at (949) 732-1960.
Recent Comments