How I can study 12 hours a day📖
I call this method the “Burning Bridges Study Method” or the “Pulling Victory from the Jaws of Defeat Study Method.”
When racing against a deadline, I can study up to 20 hours a day, with productivity and efficiency maxed out. Here’s a summary of my mindset and strategies during that time, which can be replicated for future study sessions:
“Simplify every aspect of life to focus solely on the goal at hand.”
I totally get it – there are days when the last thing you want to do is hit the books. The thought of studying feels like pulling teeth, and honestly, sometimes it feels like anything but studying is a better option! But what if I told you there are ways to trick your brain into getting in the mood, even when you're completely drained or just don't feel like it? This isn't about magical motivation, but about implementing simple rules that make starting easier, and eventually, even enjoyable. My first rule, inspired by those moments when I just had to get going, is 'Start studying anytime, anywhere.' Forget the perfect desk setup or waiting for 'the right mood.' That perfect moment rarely comes. Instead, just open your book or lecture notes wherever you are – on the bus, in a coffee shop, or even just sitting on your bed for five minutes. The goal isn't to complete a chapter, but simply to *start*. This breaks down the massive mental barrier of 'having to study' into a tiny, manageable action. You'd be surprised how often a five-minute start turns into a productive hour once you're in the flow. Building on that, my second crucial rule is to 'Repeat the act of starting to study over and over.' Don't beat yourself up if you get distracted after 15 minutes. Just stop, take a short break, and then *start again*. It's like building a muscle – the more you practice initiating a study session, regardless of your mood or how long it lasts, the easier it becomes. This teaches your brain that studying isn't a monumental, one-off task, but a series of small, repeatable actions. This approach is powerful for anyone who feels like they 'don't have the mood to study,' because it bypasses the need for mood entirely. You might be thinking, how can you go from painful studying to liking it? This is where the mindset shift comes in, something I learned from consistently applying these rules. I found that the initial pain of forcing myself to study eventually transitioned into a sense of accomplishment and even a strange humor in the struggle. This led me to embrace a more minimalist lifestyle during intense study periods – cutting out distractions, simplifying routines – which surprisingly increased my study duration and effectiveness. When you remove the clutter from your life, both physical and mental, you create more space for focus. You start to see studying not as a chore, but as a challenge you're equipped to tackle. By consistently showing up and simplifying, you might just find yourself actually looking forward to the next study session, or at least not dreading it. It’s about building momentum, one small start at a time, and redefining what it means to be a productive student.