How to Make Studying Fun (or at Least Less Boring)

The first 500 people to use this link will get a free 2-month trial with unlimited learning on Skillshare: skl.sh/thomasfrank2
Does studying always have to be boring? Do homework assignments always have to feel like pulling teeth? Is the first rule of Ballet Fight Club that you don’t talk about Ballet Fight Club?
No, no, and yes.
Today we’ll explore five strategies for making studying more fun and interesting.
My book "10 Steps to Earning Awesome Grades" is completely free, so check it out if you're interested in improving your grades!
collegeinfogeek.com/get-better...
Listen to our latest podcast episode:
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Ultimate Study Music Playlist:
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Books I mentioned in this video:
The Procrastination Equation - amzn.to/2hS8Xxx
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success - amzn.to/2vrdhIX
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Videos you might want to watch next:
8 Habits of Highly Successful Students: • 8 Habits of Highly Suc...
How to be Lazy and Productive: • How to Be Lazy and Sti...
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If you want to get even more strategies and tips on becoming a more productive, successful student, subscribe to my channel right here:
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[@Jaccobtw]

The problem with rewarding myself is that my mind becomes set on 'getting through' the material rather than actually mastering it.

[@Kassieq]

Same.

[@ryogovila7058]

Then reward yourself only when you master it

[@shriveledpoison6257]

when I try to reward myself, I think about the reward more than I think about what I'm actually doing.

[@hueyfreeman6262]

Cause we dont care about it it doesnt interest us

[@shriveledpoison6257]

@@hueyfreeman6262 it's boring and useless.

[@alerp0712]

1-Build an interest link 2-The Growth Mindset - Based on Mindset by Carol Dweck 3- Studying with a partner - Warning: avoid collective procrastination 4- Change your environment - Study playlists, ritual 5- Create mini rewards - High density fun (hanging out with friends or playing a videogame) Also see: The Procrastination Equation by Piers Steel

[@high-functioningsociopath3560]

I love people like you who post these comments and save peoples' time so much. I'm literally looking for comments like this before any video I watch.

[@sorayaalhady7368]

ya same especially for videos on productivity like this one (or just educational ones in general)

[@tinukhair2305]

I paused the video when i found this comment!

[@g120s]

I can’t build an interest link man I really need help

[@Islamic_time786]

@@high-functioningsociopath3560 same

[@AhappyteacherAtruestory]

Your videos are for students, but, as a teacher, I always find good tips for me to teach them! Thank you! I just hope you'll see this comment among the 600 ! :)

[@jonathanchavez9203]

Hey Vsauce, Michael Here

[@kylaligayo2366]

A happy teacher - A true story thanks teacher

[@cindyliao1893]

A happy teacher - A true story you actually a teacher?

[@Rwi-wk1pd]

A happy teacher - A true story i think you vesuss i know i don’t write his name corecttly < this is wrong too? hahah

[@Rwi-wk1pd]

you look like his :)

[@StrykerGamingOfficial]

"I'll use my girlfriend Anna as an example." *It is at this moment where you hear the sound of collective hearts breaking*

[@kekorulesatlab3133]

Lol

[@ami-ve1we]

yes 😔

[@bijoythewimp2854]

I can hear my heart boiling

[@sairabarcelon3162]

Exactly

[@ah.2401]

i'm devastated

[@rei-gk7ep]

1. Gaining interest 2. The Growth Mindset 3. Change your environment 4. Mini rewards

[@ItsMe-ox8lm]

Am I the only one who loves the Llama with glasses with that specific sound!? 😅☺️

[@thebutterflowers]

It's Me me too lmao

[@siddharthkrishna8463]

+

[@cindyhuang4027]

Yeet

[@alexfergus7603]

Same hahaha

[@sorayaalhady7368]

yeah ikr i rly like it too it makes for a nice transition

[@drewjohnson5859]

The fact that you're holding a fidget spinner makes me want to puke.

[@jjfrancay4544]

Drew Johnson holy fuck 😂

[@CuteSpade]

This is AMAZING xD

[@dd-tz6kl]

OMG MY NAME IS DERICK TOO AND YOURE T HE FIRST PERSON I SEE WITH MY NAME

[@chrissiec2123]

Derick lol Thank you for this golden comment Derick. I just knew a Derrick was gonna post a comment like this😁.

[@ThilanNana]

Derick lol as soon as I heard him say it, I was like, "time to find the comment and like it"

[@lyana122]

"Or study with a cat" whenever I try to study with my cat she just bites my pen and lies on my papers lol

[@Jeremy-ul4ph]

Lyana I wish I could do that

[@truedirectioner1]

Same.. My cats do that too!!

[@commercejunction5273]

Same yrr. My cat does the same

[@Nivetha.....]

😂🤣

[@IrixKiri]

wow this came just in time..I got 3 exams next week, wish me luck!

[@charlottecox4046]

Iri Kiri good luck!! 🌻

[@IrixKiri]

Charlotte Cox thank you!!!!!

[@modelsfrtv2523]

Good luck have fun ^^

[@AlyssaBernardino]

Good luck!!!!!! You got this

[@gaiafristachi4541]

You can do it! :-*

[@ishbanyadav]

Thomas is really doing a great work for all procrastinators!

[@DavesDumbSongs]

Thanks for calling out Derek. It's about time somebody put him in his place.

[@Noobi_97]

For example, do your homework alone. Your partner does it alone too. After you are both done, meet up and talk about it. About problems, concepts you didn't understand etc.

[@BadgerzNadgerz]

Not so much a tip to make studying fun, but to help you become more emotionally attached to a subject - when you're studying, if you read/work on something that piques your interest and makes you curious, write it down on a separate piece of paper. Then, once you're done studying, research stuff that's on that piece of paper. You're not studying, but you are learning a bit more about it, and tricking yourself into thinking you're just googling cool stuff. But overall it maintains interest in the topic over a long period, and it's extra stuff you can bring to the next discussion of "I found out this!"

[@atzman6]

Do you have an idea to make Math interesting? Like Podcast or movie?

[@Thomasfrank]

While they're not really about DOING math, I find movies like A Beautiful Mind and The Imitation Game get me interested in math anyway.

[@patriciamathu5041]

Atz I LOVE THE MOVIE THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY. It is such a beautiful movie about a mathematician (Ramanujab)... definitely check it out!

[@slims438]

Atz ...Good Will Hunting ;)

[@Thomasfrank]

Got the book on my shelf - still need to read it though!

[@MyHabbits]

Numberphile here in KZbin. Then there's Breaking Math podcast.

[@brianll389]

Studying may be boring sometimes but when you are matured enough to understand you are doing it for a better future, it never gets that boring.

[@lemmetalkaboutthis]

While I like your optimism, I would like to point out that it sometimes is just not that easy. I can only speak for myself, but especially for people with ADHD and/or depression (or other similar issues), a better future is just not a sufficient motivator; otherwise we wouldn't need videos like this, wouldn't you agree?

[@g120s]

Marijane Akuma I have depression please help me

[@AkiriKanan]

@@g120s go to psychology i am not joking

[@user-xy7tj8yx1u]

@@g120s try psychology doctor i did its really help

[@g120s]

بعور المتبعر 👌

[@drmaeeshasolih8296]

Ana is a lucky girl

[@ZobsterZombie]

Nice to see you on Crash Course! Great content!

[@elifg.714]

Teachers really have a big role in it too. I've always hated math (still do) but in 8th grade, I had such an awesome teacher I never got below A. She would high five us whenever we finished a hard problem, if you were one of the first 10 who got it right, you were a badass. She was super energetic and always encouraged us to visit her whenever we had a problem we couldn't solve, so she was always surrounded by students every brake. Man I miss her :/

[@JakeVoorhees]

Thanks for all your tips Thomas!! Your dedication to college student success is so awesome man, love you :)

[@katestrophes8799]

Your productivity videos are such a big influence. Thank you! I hope that there’s a summary of all your points though because that was a lot of info but good job on these vids

[@jj-qr4ro]

I loved this video, and it was extremely helpful. I always enjoy your videos, and the podcast. Keep doing what you do! :)

[@tanvirzuhayrkhan1729]

YOU HELPED ME A LOT BY RECOMMENDING Dan Carlin's Podcast I found the thing which completed my life. I love that Podcast it's too good.

[@fraukej2302]

Hi Thomas, I watched your video yesterday and it inspired me (especially the "growth mindset" part). Today, out of the blue, it came to my mind again. Had to rewatch and take notes. "If it wasn't a testimony to their intelligence, they couldn't enjoy it." -- that stuck with me. Thank you for making such great videos and keeping people inspired. Much love from Germany!

[@dexistence19]

Thanks for always providing such high quality content, Thomas!

[@zizou357]

Excellent video! When you talked about mini rewards, I think it could be worth mentioning that you should choose them based on what you don't easily get stuck in. Find out what your "weak spots" are, (15 min turning in to 2 hrs), and then decide what your mini rewards should be! (Y)

[@AJ-nc4vr]

Glad people are giving love to Hardcore Histories.

[@ramyar_abdullah]

I like how you support your points by giving books as examples

[@nachozapata]

Love the effort you put on this channel, getting interesting CIG emails every week, thank you!

[@aleksapavlovic1563]

if only i could chat with this guy sometimes it would be so nice

[@Ant0knee0zzz]

Hey Tom, how about adding a summary of the points covered in the video at the end? Awesome video as usual!

[@littlefishbigmountain]

Dude, Thomas, your videos are amazing. In terms of content, production quality, everything. Obviously you make some money off this (probably not as much as one might think), but it seems like you genuinely want to help people who are where you've been. It's as if much of what you say has passed through the minds of many before, but you help to focus it so clearly it just seems obvious. Thanks, keep up the good work

[@PlaginatorTV]

That was great, just as usual. Thank you for your work, Thomas!

[@theboulder027]

True story: when i had a quiz on the state capitals i found the animaniacs state capitals song and listened to it non stop for 3 days. Got all 50.

[@meldreemurr5300]

The Boulder 027 LOL That's AWESOME! XD Similar story for me! I had to learn about Medieval Times last year as a freshman and I wasn't interested at first. I spend a lot of my time playing video games! My library lets me rent video games for a week and I went there to get one and that's when I found the video game Sonic and the Black Knight. I love Sonic the Hedgehog games and this particular game was in a medieval setting. By the time I finished it I had learned a truckload of new stuff about knights and the medieval lifestyle and I was hooked! I also aced my World History test thanks to that game! It's really amazing how our attention span towards certain things can change when we are presented with material in a way that holds our interest! :D

[@QuranwithRain]

Yea but memorization is easy. It’s understanding the concepts that is challenging

[@hueyfreeman6262]

@@QuranwithRain not if you have horrible memory studying a eff load forget everything the next morning

[@joudikativ7698]

My finacial accounting teacher always tells us the illegal things we will be able to do after learning a new topic first. Or tells us quirks we have in the laws concerning the topic (and in Germany there are many). This method works every time to catch the interest of the whole class and I am thankful.

[@dickysandy6930]

Thx for the playlist, i love it so much

[@mariagraham5296]

Hi, I new to your channel and although the videos I'm watching are old, theyre new to me. I am learning so much from them. Thank you so much for these videos

[@DazzleThemForMe]

I watch your videos to get me pumped for studying =)

[@jasminejones6889]

Hello, it has been four years and I do not know if you will see this, but have you graduated and achieved your dream?

[@mahmoudyosif8803]

I wonder how is that possible that you don't have at least one million subs!??!!!

[@reeflarkin1919]

as a teacher and a student this is really helpful- I thought after studying education for a seemingly endless amount of time I thought this would just tell me stuff I already knew but it really brought out 'new' (possibly I should say reframed) ideas.

[@harveylopezt]

One of the best videos on strategies to study smarter. Thanks a lot.

[@mine_neko]

I love your teapot !!!

[@egyegy5541]

Best youtuber best wishes from Egypt

[@GLOB4LP4ND3M1C]

Keep the videos coming because I need to make it through fall semester starting in a couple weeks.

[@tituskamatuka5024]

Thanks a lot for this video. You brought memories of when I was younger, I used to study in a group and it did wonders but somehow this faded as I was growing up. I guess I need to remind myself of this basics and re-stimulate my declining interest in learning

[@soccerruben1]

Watching this video weeks before fall semester begins.....

[@bahar6387]

What if you give yourself mini rewards but then you just can't stop rewarding yourself, because you have no self discipline to just... stop rewarding yourself ? I used to feel guilty all the time when I didn't work for med school. But right now, I just feel like I have to reward myself for every breath I take .. seriously

[@ziarenkokawy3166]

bahar khodadustan this hit home -.-

[@luccagiovani]

When I have to study I buy a couple of sweet things, put them over a sheet of paper and write specifically when I can eat them. So let's say I have to read two books, after I finish half I can eat the first thing and then when I finish the second half I eat the second thing, etc. I usually leave the best things for last.

[@bahar6387]

Nice trick ! But I would've eat it all after 5 min. haha

[@luccagiovani]

I know what you mean, but the trick with this is writing it down, it becomes... special, if you break it you really feel like you are cheating. I don't know, hope it helps!.

[@bahar6387]

I'm going to try this tomorrow ! I'll tell you if it worked :p

[@jasonjljunsu2801]

Thank you Thomas! All of your videos have been a great help :)

[@musadeldaly2732]

Man I love watching your videos so much, first time I watch advice videos to the end, keep up the good work 💪

[@LazyPillowCase]

Me: Eats candy when I get a question right My teacher: No eating in class Me: *>:(*

[@nachos6745]

Can I translate your videos? I mean add subtitles :D

[@rodrigoopazo2087]

Numerouno Please do this! I've been thinking of doing it for a while now but would be thrilled if anyone else did anyway. I don't know if Thomas can speak spanish, but if you needed any help, please let me know! :)

[@UnderscoreZeroLP]

tú hablas espanol? es una idioma muy hermosa :)

[@mine_neko]

You'll be helping at lot of students by adding subtitles!!!I haven't seen spanish KZbin chanels with so great content actually

[@00Linares00]

I tried to star translating stuff, since Brazil's youtube is crap and most people don't speak english, but it's a huge amount of work

[@diegoariel1745]

Thomas Frank you cannot say no man.

[@akaninoo]

Added to my "best videos" playlist. Thankyou

[@arock8586]

I love these videos.. it feels like ur videos actually do help. U basically bring facts from experience and researches wich is amazing. Keep up the good work helping and motivating students around the world with ur amazing vids

[@3117master]

Thomas are you trying to tell us that Llama's are the master race?

[@Thomasfrank]

No need for me to tell you that, just look at them

[@angelaanderson3466]

As a Persian girl, I really became happy & excited when you mentioned that you & your girl friend listened to a podcast episode about Ancient Persia!! I’m so happy that there are still some people who are interested in such topics!!😍😆✨ Thank you so much for creating this awesome & useful video!!😁👏🏻✨

[@AveSizeBear]

Hey I'm new to your channel and I just wanted to let you know I love your content. I've been obsessively watching you're videos. Keep up your good work.

[@warriors_of_light5559]

Thank you for the video Thomas, very helpful and entertaining 🤙☺️

[@m.h.1113]

Tea recipe please

[@MiriamEttrick]

M.H. +

[@salma31000]

You ever gonna write a book?

[@anastasiyagavrilovich3180]

He has, it's title is: "10 steps to getting better grades in college". It's really good; and free on his website!

[@salma31000]

really? ok i'll check it out.. thanks

[@FierceMagic1]

Did you watch the video to the end? 8:18 :) it's really very helpful, and fun to read too

[@bessiecano7685]

Hi! Just wanna say that your videos really helped me when my classes started last year and now that senior high school has started i am back! haha. i had 5 months of summer and when i got back i've never felt so lost in my entire life

[@StudyMD]

Thank you for another amazing video with useful tips Thomas!

[@TheRealXLegend]

Whats that podcast player ?

[@Thomasfrank]

Pocket Casts!

[@TheRealXLegend]

You always deliver , man, hard not to love you

[@MsWicked19]

Can I borrow the cat you're studying with?

[@aashutoshnarayan8593]

thanks, thomas! you really are a game changer!!!

[@kevina5760]

Thank you for your videos! keeps me going a lot of the times!!!

[@s.carmen]

oh, he has a girlfriend :(

[@asha4907]

S. Carmen i cri 😢 womenkind took an L

[@mayah429]

S. Carmen ikr

[@kelceyfirth]

:,(

[@FunTime-uu7tu]

Lucky 🍀

[@jerinthomas4079]

I can give you a life don't be sad

[@Robert-hi8el]

what if you just aren't motivated?

[@lemmetalkaboutthis]

The tricks mentioned can still apply! Your motivation can stem from food, friends or a hobby for example! If I study for half an hour, I get to call a friend I've been meaning to talk to/ treat myself to a food I'm craving (but don't see essentials as treats, make sure you don't stay hungry or thirsty when studying and only take care of yourself as the reward; the reward should be something extra, like a candy or snack you like, or maybe a certain fastfood)/meeting up with a study-buddy over lunch or a (non-alcoholic) drink and planning to do something enjoyable together once you finished with your study-goal/homework/ the part of assignment you tackle in this meeting - basically, set up rewards that apply to you specifically and would actually put in effort to earn- I for example really don't like sweets or much food in general, but I love reading, so that is my reward - half an hour of uninterrupted studying is ten pages reading, and hour is twenty pages and so on. Remember to take breaks at least every two hours, if you want to go that far at all. And turn off either notifications or your phone completely. Trust me.

[@emmacauvin]

This is definitely one of your best and most useful videos in my opinion! Thank you :)

[@olgamono851]

Thank you very much for sharing these tips! ☺

[@maramQ]

Does anyone know podcasts or anything that can make stuff we learn in med school interesting?

[@entourage8555]

Maram Mubarak xham

[@Xeronimo74]

maybe med school isn't for you if you find the stuff you learn there boring?

[@sophiaspielmann9049]

www.maximumfun.org/shows/sawbones

[@asha4907]

Maram Mubarak watch greys anatomy

[@mortezatavakkoli7247]

Dude if she is interest in persian history she can get persian universe that was awesome i read and love it and it not about fake history like 300 (boring 👎) By the way great advise 😊

[@kayla8192]

Great video! I'm a photographer and signed up for skill share from your last video and have enjoyed it immensely. I started getting into mobile photography which I never had a lot of skill or interest in and I am obsessed with their classes!

[@natt7748]

Your videos are so inspiring. Thanks for doing what you do.

[@papyrustheroyalguardsmen3446]

Is Math related to Science?

[@adityamathur9662]

Papyrus The Royal Guardsmen Yes, in fact, maths is the backbone of ALL sciences. Maths is the language in which the universe is written.

[@Rin-ot7ww]

Papyrus The Royal Guardsmen katy perry, is that you?

[@tempjohn3510]

Aditya Mathur you don't get it do you xD

[@papyrustheroyalguardsmen3446]

These Indians are upto no good.

[@kolibambangg]

LMAOOOOO katy's new catchphrase

[@Indian_swan]

Everything I learn is challenging😭

[@jeremiebasilio8866]

Been missing your videos like this❤️🔥

[@aaqibahmad4446]

Pretty cool tips! Thank you so much Thomas Frank 👌

[@Crayoncook]

My favorite part is when he says or study with a cat. 😹

[@kayak3023]

we all see you typing derrick..

[@jeffseben5890]

You're amazing, guy !!! I really enjoy your videos!! Thank you for sharing real passion for knowledge!!!

[@LiveDangerously77]

Thomas.. I would just like to take this time to appreciate what u do and stand for. College is definitely one of the most stressful phase in our lives.. and through your words of wisdom and guidance that u inspire us and be clever in how we take approach to be more productive and etc. you’re the best! Every college student should know abt this youtube channel. Ok, i will share this on my facebook wall :p Thanks again! Love ya❣️Keep up the good work!

[@mrnubbs8965]

I am 35 years old, I am divorced, and I live IN A VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER

[@hueyfreeman6262]

And

[@pfrex]

does anyone know what game is shown in 1:27?

[@ibrahimrasuly620]

AbsentPhreak lol I browsed for a good 10mins to look for the name of game and there seems to be another looking for it too ^^

[@orderofbliss6472]

AbsentPhreak Ori and The Blind Forest^_^

[@pfrex]

Angeli Hoffman you're the best. thanks

[@sourav_panigrahi]

its civilisation 5 game

[@danikbral]

Another great Video. It felt a lil different from others and it was great. Congrats on such a good approach at this subject

[@tempest2886]

This is why you are my favorite youtuber, thanks

[@happys0ckz]

"You need to get interested in your topic" Well goverments are not something I just get interested in-

[@mikebobson9150]

Once you get started, I find it's pretty tolerable

[@FrancoNSosa]

I don't have the habit of sharing videos or stuff. I use to share only things that I have a huge interest in. That said, this video is SO GOOD that I'll share it with everyone on my college buddies. Thank you so much Thomas!

[@tfoprincess]

I watch a little bit of a House episode before I study. I like how it makes me analyze. Then I read a novel I like in my break- gives me something to look forward to

[@PremKumar-cw6mu]

Thomas ... you're expert in speaking with understandable ... world is watching you , so your words should be helpful to us , but your speaking too fast plz make it slow ... tq bro

[@Amberlynnslivertit]

I understand him fine, if English isn't your first language it might be a little more difficult, maybe put the captions on and see if that helps?

[@geico105]

>> Settings >> Speed >> 0.75

[@entourage8555]

Prem Kumar nigga, you need to level up your english game.

[@PremKumar-cw6mu]

signetring @ English is not a matter. we need that content with understandable way our brother is too fast so no use on that. it's taking time to understand after repeating the content .while it's in subtitle it's better .

[@Amberlynnslivertit]

Prem Kumar obviously it's not too fast if native English speakers don't have a problem understanding him. Work on your English, it's not his problem your language and listening skills aren't up to par.

[@safishake]

That Fidget spinner makes me want to puke... eww🤢

[@tirunagariuttam]

Thanks Frank. specially for the tips and playlist :) you are awesome.

[@vivekanandv5200]

Your tips help me in improving myself..thanks will try to imply them in my study routine

[@knotwilg3596]

play at 0.75 speed

[@bigmoth14]

play at speed 1.5 :)

[@kiky.mp4]

Play at 1

[@dasbeharifull-timemystic2075]

Play at 4x

[@zack6237]

Why are you holding a fidget spinner...I want to puke

[@nutella9446]

Good advice. Also your hair looks amazing this way

[@FernandosendMail]

Good advice, I sometimes find difficult using the rewards method since I want to rush directly to the planned reward (cut corners) I've found that true inspiration and interest in a topic is better in the long term. Nice picture of Cave Johnson on the back btw

[@tayanese9131]

World history will never be interesting to me...

[@nanomia]

that's really good ideas , thank you !! you're a cool guy

[@jusandragoh98]

This video came just in time for my study week

[@RaqibZaman]

This video is great for just being productive in general. Thanks!