Running it back with these 🏃♂️
When I first started preparing for the SAT, I struggled to keep up with traditional advice like waking up early to study or forcing myself to adopt routines that didn’t fit my natural rhythms. As a chronic night owl, I found that trying to study early in the morning was not only ineffective but also demotivating. Instead, I embraced my natural peak energy hours—between 9pm and 11pm. This made a huge difference because I avoided burnout and didn’t waste willpower battling tiredness. Consistency during these hours led to noticeable improvements in just a couple of weeks. One key insight was creating the right environment for late-night study sessions. Harsh, bright lights increased eye strain and made it harder to focus, so switching to a warm desk lamp helped me stay comfortable for longer periods. Using tools like Lumist.ai, which adjusts screen lighting and reduces blue light exposure at night, also protected my eyes and improved concentration. Additionally, noise-canceling headphones were crucial—not to listen to music but to block out distractions like noisy roommates. This silence helped me maintain deep focus. Another important lesson was to stop pretending I enjoyed studying. Initially, I forced motivation and ended up frustrated. By allowing myself to vent frustration for a few minutes before starting, I cleared mental blocks and made the work more manageable. This honest approach helped sustain long study sessions without burning out or giving in to distractions like social media. Lastly, mindset played a vital role. Writing "1500" on my mirror as a goal felt awkward at first, but over time, visualizing success helped rewire my confidence. It prevented negative thoughts from spiraling and gave me something tangible to aim for. These strategies combined transformed my SAT preparation into a personalized, manageable routine that fit my lifestyle—leading to a 230-point score increase in just ten weeks. If you’re a night owl struggling with your study schedule, I highly recommend finding your optimal study time, optimizing your environment, embracing your feelings honestly, and using positive visualization techniques to build confidence.
