Obstacles to Studying and Research

If you're studying for a board examination, you must be eager to open your books and get right to it. But you're not in the mood all of a sudden, or your motivation is gone.

Here are some of the barriers to effective study and how to deal with them.

1. Lacking Energy

When was the last time you ate? If you can't focus, you must be thirsty or hungry. You should eat just enough to keep you going. Do not overeat, because you might feel sleepy. Some of the best revision foods are the following:

nuts and berries - they're fingerfood, but good for your brain and body.
coffee and chocolate - they keep you awake; the less sugar, the better
cut-up fruits - they're sweet but not too sweet; they fill you up

Avoid pastries, sauces, foods that require dips, and heavy carbo stuff like rice and pasta.

2. Fatigued

Quick power naps work! Students who can take naps are better at reviewing. Some libraries allow naps, especially in carells, i.e., small tables for individual use.

Can't wake up without an alarm? The trick is to set your alarm on vibrate mode and place your phone in your pocket, so you don't disturb others when your alarm goes off.

3. Haphazardly Prepared Review Materials

Hastily written notes on books and torn paper make you forget about reviewing properly. If all your notes are in different places, you have no choice but to start over and create a notebook where you can collate everything.

I mentioned this bit about note-taking in my post about study habits.

4. Uncomfortable environment

On paper, you can study anywhere. And, others are actually bragging about being able to review in coffee shops. However, the reality is that some people cannot study just anywhere. They need to feel comfortable and safe.

Choose the place where you can store your stuff properly and not worry about them while you're neck deep in books and revision notes. Make sure it's quiet or it allows music (if music helps you relax).

Why Every Library Needs a Hometown Authors Shelf and How to Promote Them

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How to Start a Local Authors Collection in Your Library: 3 Steps

Looking to celebrate the voices in your own backyard? Starting a Local Authors Collection is one of the most meaningful ways to connect your library with its community. This will also promote your library to locals who may not have heard that your library is open and accessible to everyone! It will also send the message that you value your local authors and would like to work more with them in the future! Step 1: Audit! Begin with a simple audit: Do you already have hometown authors on your shelves? Create a list. Then, reach out to local writing groups, independent publishers, or universities—places where emerging writers often surface. Step 2: Curate! Don’t overlook self-published authors. Many have strong followings and are eager to share their work. Establish clear submission guidelines to ensure quality and consistency. Step 3: Promote! Highlight the new collection with shelf signage or a dedicated reading nook. Monthly features or “Local Author Spotlights” on social media also ...

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Let’s be honest: most of us buy those Starbucks planners because they’re pretty, not because we’re planning to become meticulous schedulers. At least, that was my initial intention—until I realized it could be the accountability tool I desperately needed. Now, my Starbucks planner is less about appointments and more about keeping track of my daily battles with self-discipline. Here’s how I use it to monitor three key areas of my life: resisting the urge to smoke, watching my calorie intake, and moving my body. 1. The Smoking Tracker This is the toughest section to fill out because it demands raw honesty. At the end of each day, I mark whether I resisted the urge to smoke—or if I gave in. There’s no judgment here (okay, maybe a little self-judgment), just a simple note: "Resisted" or "Gave In." I also jot down what triggered my cravings. Was it stress? Boredom? A sudden existential crisis while folding laundry? Writing it down helps me notice patterns, and when I...

Ruby Galvez, RL

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