How to Study Effectively?

Sometimes, I wonder why I even decided to pursue a master's degree in Germany. When exam dates are announced, I feel energized and motivated, throwing and focusing myself into exam preparation. Yet as the day draws closer, doubts creep in, drains my enthusiasm. I sit here as a slave to your bad, unproductive, and negative thoughts"Will you keep chasing and trying despite knowing you can’t succeed? Or will I believe that if I try, I can, and make use of every minute?"

Studying abroad has turned out to be much more challenging than I imagined. You only truly understand the challenge of it once you experience it yourself. I was just attending a private language course and preparing for B2/ C1 the exam. (Honestly, that exam felt like child’s play. Looking back now, it seems really funny.) I used to watch my friends who were bachelor's students, and my ex-boyfriend, who was a master's student studying for exams, "Why don't they prepare instead of lounging around? If I were in their shoes, I’d make every moment count, using every minute to prepare." and think. For example he said: I used to say things like, 'I’ll start preparing as soon as I finish this movie,' or 'Once I finish this episode, I’ll get everything done perfectly, I’ll do this and that.' But in reality, he or they just kept making excuses and procrastinating instead of actually getting things done.

And now that I’m facing it myself, I finally understand why those people acted the way they did. That massive, 10-headed exam monster truly is overwhelming. You instinctively want to avoid it, step back, or distract yourself with something else just to calm your mind, to stop it from panicking. You try to stay composed, not to run away from or provoke the exam, and in the process, you end up seeking distractions, detaching from reality—it’s a whole ordeal. Sitting for hours on end, forcing your brain to absorb information, feels overwhelming. And after sitting at a desk all day, stuffing information into your brain, it feels like your head is about to explode from the pain. By evening, you end up going home like a tired, sick zombie. Sitting in the library or at home, focusing non-stop for 8–10 hours straight, and then trying to read every single page of your notes—it's simply impossible. No one can actually do that. I’ve learned that it’s essential to take breaks and reward yourself, whether by watching a favorite movie or reading a lighthearted book. Otherwise, burnout becomes inevitable.

Thankfully, I’ve discovered a few strategies to cope:

1. Clarify Your Goals

   Clearly defining my goals has been a crucial step. In 2022, after my father visited and I later saw my mother during the summer, these experiences had a profound impact on me. They became powerful motivators, reminding me of the importance of working harder and pushing myself further.

   I now completely understand the need to focus on completing my studies quickly and efficiently. While I live comfortably here, pursuing my education at my own pace, my parents are aging and facing daily struggles to make ends meet back home. Seeing their hardships has made me realize that there is no time to waste. I must stay committed, achieve my goals as soon as possible, and fulfill my purpose.

   These experiences have reinforced why I came here, why I am studying, and why I must work harder and faster to achieve my dreams.

   So, define your goals clearly and work toward them every day.

2. Relax your mind during breaks

   Learning to give my mind proper rest during breaks has been essential. After intense study sessions or the following day, I take steps to relax my mind and reduce exam-related stress by watching my favorite movies. Alternatively, while commuting, I read gentle/easy read/non-stressful books.

   This approach has helped me refresh my mind and provides a much-needed break, making it easier to dive back into studying later. I’ve realized the importance of not overexerting myself and found that rewarding myself—figuring out what kind of rewards work best for me—has been incredibly beneficial. It’s made a big difference in maintaining my motivation and focus.

3. Use Productivity Tools

   Back when I was attending language courses, preparing for exams, and revising my lessons, I used an planting tree app (concentration app) to help me stay away from my phone. It was a great way to minimize distractions, focus better on my studies, and make the most of my time. The app let me plant virtual trees and build a garden by trading in the time I didn’t use my phone. You could see your garden grow over weeks or months and track the total hours you had focused.

   I still have that app, but now I’ve discovered that Samsung phones have a built-in feature for this. It helps me track how many hours I’ve spent working productively without touching my phone.

4. Find Role Models

   Having a role model who gives you energy is important. There are so many intelligent and ambitious icons out there, like Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl, Elle Woods from Legally Blonde, and Rory Gilmore from Gilmore Girls. For example, when I first arrived in Germany, I used to watch Ariu Oyun a lot. But since I was a language course student and the American and European education systems are different, I ended up forgetting about it.

   However, the autumn before I enrolled in my master's program, I finished watching Gilmore Girls again, and through that, I found a new source of motivation. Now, whenever I study, I watch her videos and admire her consistency, thinking, 'I can do it too.' It gives me the strength to sit down and study alongside her character

5. Focus all your energy on studying 100%

   Focus all your energy on studying 100%. Study the right way when you're learning. Don’t just pretend to learn or jump to something else. I’ve been getting advice from others and now almost have this sentence memorized.

   My first semester was truly a disaster. I went to class and did assignments, but it felt like I was just going through the motions. I didn’t understand the German university system at all and was quite naive. Despite struggling and not understanding, I was confident when taking five exams. I didn’t even know the meaning of 'fewer but better quality.' I got distracted by too many things.

   As a result, I failed two out of five subjects and had to postpone three, which was a huge lesson but also an extremely stressful experience. Looking back, I’m amazed at how unprepared I was, how little I knew, and how confidently I went into the exams without any real preparation.

   But it’s okay now. I’ve found my way. I now understand what it really means to study properly and I’m focused on truly learning

Next week is my big exam day. I’ve spent the past few days buried in preparation, eating well, and avoiding distractions. My goal is to stay calm, collected, and give it my best shot.

This is what’s been going on in my life recently. Until we meet again, take care and stay motivated!

Warm regards,

Your Friend