How to study at university as efficiently as possible so that your studies bring the greatest benefit? If you find yourself in the wrong place What to do if you study poorly at university

“How did you leave? Why?!" - I hear this phrase every time I try to answer the question about why I am not at the university now. “You must have had something bad happen that made you have to leave, right?” Of course, no one just leaves the university, right? Or not?

Realizing that, apart from such a reaction, my leaving will not cause anything else, I try not to answer this question or avoid discussions, because everyone considers it their duty to tell me that I did the wrong thing. Over time, I realized that there is no point in feeling ashamed of my decision, especially if I think I did 100% the right thing.

Therefore, I want to tell you why the university in its current state is not what I, you and your children need.

We want to be like the others

Remember what happens in schools to children who wear glasses or try to do well in school. At best, they will not be accepted into the company of “cool” people; at worst, the main goal of this company will be to make their life unbearable. But, of course, what do they like to say there? “They are children, they don’t understand.” Well, yes, they don’t understand.

So, from childhood we want to be just like others. What does “everyone else” do after school? They are trying to get into university. Preferably on a budget. If this is successful, the maximum goal is achieved. If not, then your parents will have to spend thousands of dollars on your education or choose a simpler educational institution - a technical school or a fashionable college, which, in fact, is the same technical school.

The time begins that is spoken of as the best time in a person’s life, meaning by this, of course, not study. But rather that you will drink (a lot), communicate with the opposite sex and sometimes go to classes, trying to sit through at least half of it. After re-reading this paragraph, I realized that it doesn’t sound so bad.

And for most people this is enough. They forget about how much time is wasted, how much money is spent on studies that do not bring any benefit. For example, I did not study at the most expensive university in Ukraine, and during this time I spent $7,000 on study alone. I think this is my parents' biggest investment in me. Was she justified? Alas.

Studying at university is not the only way

How many courses could I take with this money? Courses from real professionals who have dedicated decades to their work, who love what they do and are ready to share useful knowledge. How many books could you buy? I’ll finish with trivial questions; you already know the answer.

Studying at university no longer guarantees future professional success.

One reason for this is motivation. When we do what we like, we are guided by. That is, we like the process itself. Money, encouragement or praise fade into the background. After all, you see, it is much more pleasant to do something and enjoy not only the reward, but also the process itself.

Unfortunately, the university is going in a completely different direction. Studying involves boredom, monotony and lack of interest, all for the sake of an ephemeral number in a paper journal. And if these ephemeral numbers are good, then in five years you can get an ephemeral red plastic piece of paper. This is worth living for.

This is akin to when you drink cola for a long time and forget that you can quench your thirst with water. Or when you drive for a long time and forget that you can walk from work to a cafe. It's the same with the university.

We forget that the process of learning and then work itself can be pleasant.

I have a friend who also left university. Four years of study at the university made it possible for him to understand that he wanted something different. In his case, it's design. Just six months of intensive self-study, several unsuccessful attempts to get a job, and he still works as a web designer. This is not yet the company of his dreams, but it is definitely one of the steps on the road to it. This example is very inspiring.

This does not mean that you should lock yourself in a room and not have contact with other people. Seminars, conferences, people with similar interests - you have a huge number of ways to communicate with interesting people, and most importantly - to study. When you study not for a reward in the future, but simply because you like it, the process itself is incredibly annoying.

I was finally able to articulate what I dislike most about university:

There is no passion in studying at university.

Moreover, if you come there with your passion, it will probably be taken away from you. Universities in their current state kill the desire to learn. This even applies to medicine, which defenders of standard education love to cite as an example. In my city medical University has long earned a reputation as the most bribery educational institution. Remember this when you come to see a young specialist.

Wouldn't it be more logical to choose interesting subjects yourself? But no, a financier needs to learn philosophy, a physician needs to learn the history of economic thought, and an architect needs to learn chemistry. Expanding your horizons - is that what they call it? I don’t want to expand my horizons with useless knowledge multiplied by the subjectivity of the teacher.

By learning on your own, you can choose your own path.

Do you want to learn English language? You can create a program that will include watching films in the original with subtitles, reading English books, learning new words from online articles and using Duolingo. This is much better than sitting every day with Golitsinsky’s textbook, which over time begins to cause nausea.

With the advent of services such as, it becomes clear that something needs to be changed in the current education system. Self-education makes it possible to feel that your knowledge is useful and useful in real life. You won't always move forward, sometimes you'll have to change something radically, but it's still a thousand times better.

Getting a university degree is no longer safe and far from the most interesting life path. Don't try to be like others, be special and forget that university is the only way. There are others too.

Before trying to answer this question, it is worth deciding what exactly you want to get from studying at the university, what exactly the “benefit” should be: in obtaining a diploma, in acquiring professional knowledge, in broadening your horizons, in something else?

The point is that a good university is not just a place where professors impart certain knowledge to students in classes; it is also an “intellectual platform” for searching for truth, arguing, communicating with smart people etc.

The previous answer relates more to how exactly you should study the subjects that are taught to you. This is certainly important (albeit very individual: for different people there may be different approaches to studying, and it is important to find the approach that works for you), but still I would not overestimate the importance of the usual training courses: they won’t teach you everything at the university anyway, and it is much more important, firstly, to lay a good foundation and learn to learn, and secondly, to take advantage of the unique opportunities that the university offers in addition to standard courses.

If we talk about the first point, i.e. about how to lay the foundation and learn how to learn, I would recommend paying most attention to the basic courses (which, it would seem, often have little to do with real life). Professional skills can be acquired later, and, most likely, you will have to learn something on your own (each field of activity requires its own skills and knowledge), but without a good foundation, learning on your own is extremely difficult.

But even more important, in my opinion, is the second point: taking advantage of the opportunities that the university opens up for you. You can learn something, especially if you have a head on your shoulders and a normal base, outside the university: you can always read a textbook, listen to lectures on Courser, etc. But at the same time, there are things that can only be done at university: attending conferences, scientific seminars, round tables and so on. (some of these events may be attended by people not associated with the university, but it is still easier for a student to attend them).

Based on my experience, I would strongly recommend paying great attention to such things: not every person and not every day has the opportunity to listen to a famous scientist or former minister, chat with a famous journalist or public figure, etc. Despite the fact that all this has little to do with passing courses and obtaining a diploma, it is communication with smart people, participation in discussions, broadening your horizons that, in my opinion, is the greatest value of studying at a university and can significantly change your life.

My name is Anastasia, I'm 21 years old. I feel like a vegetable. I finished school at the age of 17.
It was easy for me to study, i.e. not to study, but to receive grades “for beautiful eyes.”
When I went to university, I simply couldn't study. The guys came with luggage
school knowledge, and I came empty. I studied for 2 months, then ran away from home, leaving for
another city to a guy I talked to on the Internet. Family - mother, stepfather, grandmother,
grandfather barely survived the blow that I dealt them with this act. I'm with the guy too
she acted horribly because she was simply using him. Then it seemed to me that he was mine
the only way out. There were moments when I loved him, I waited like a dog from work until night, we
wanted to get married. But then, apparently through my mother’s prayers, I returned home. I'm with a guy
broke up and left him. I took my documents from the university and started helping with the sisterhood.
mercy. In the summer I entered another university as a correspondence student. On first
session I was simply shocked - I liked it incredibly, good classmates,
I absolutely admire the teaching staff! But. I still didn’t know how to study. Session
It was easy, I passed everything, there were only tests. Then I got a job at an Orthodox church
cleaning lady I didn’t prepare for the exams, I didn’t study anything. Since then, every session I've had
with tails. By some miracle I was transferred to the second year. Now I have a lot of tails for the 2nd
course, they don’t transfer to the third, they should have expelled them long ago, but they keep them until the last minute. A
I what? I don't teach anything. People, this is something incredible!!! I do not know what to do. I
I just can’t bring myself to study! If a miracle happens and I still sit down
textbooks, I can’t stand it for more than an hour and a half. My head is starting to hurt, constantly
I want to eat and sleep. I was released from work for the session for a month, I was not allowed to attend classes,
so that I hand over the tails first. Actually, they kept me for the second year, but they allowed me anyway
pass the tails and transfer to the third year. I work 2/2 12-14 hours a day, constantly
on foot. Maybe I was just very tired and took the session psychologically as
long-awaited vacation? But not a fact. I am in terrible despondency, help, I beg you. What should I do?
At least just pray. There is no one to turn to in real life, so please advise
something for me... I can’t do it alone, I’m scared, I don’t know how this will all end... At the same time
I terribly regret that I study by correspondence. I feel like I'm missing out on a lot.
Rate:

Anastasia, age: 21 / 01/29/2013

Responses:

Anastasia, of course, training in correspondence department very different from full-time education,
because requires greater self-discipline and motivation to acquire knowledge. If you don't feel
inclination towards studying at university and cannot understand for yourself why you are studying at higher education
educational institution, then don’t study. Not everyone can get a higher education. The main thing is to be
a decent person, and the level of education is the tenth question.

Friend, age: no age / 01/31/2013

In my opinion, you simply lack a person who would be an authority for you and lead you, maybe
be forced to do what needs to be done. All people need an example, preferably living at the same time as
by us and by our side. This could be an older brother, friends, acquaintances and others. Without examples a person cannot
can set goals and know exactly what to do. If you are not satisfied with something in your
life, then ask for advice from someone you respect, and do as he says, and wipe away the nagging, they
don't suit your pretty eyes!

Jorge, age: 20 / 01/31/2013

Anastasia,

1. Maybe you shouldn’t kill yourself so much over the university - I would recommend this problem to you for now
just put it off, especially since most likely this may not be the problem at all.

2. Think about what you want in life. - Why do you need higher education? JUST
TRY TO UNDERSTAND YOUR MOTIVES... And don’t rush to scold yourself here and think of something. Just
First, understand the motives that guide you, without evaluating them, just formulate them. Then
consult about your goals and motives with knowledgeable, wise and experienced people whom YOU can
trust. This may be a relative or a priest or any other adult, but he must
inspire confidence in you and be competent, have life experience. Formulate them and simply ask
question: I want about this and exactly what YOU think higher education can help me with
and is it bad that I can’t study???
Just listen to what he says and don’t rush to conclusions. You can consult with several
people (If there are no close people, then look for a good priest (wise and kind).

Perhaps this will help you organize your thoughts more clearly in your head (I think this is overdue for you),
what do you need in this case I don’t like it: either your failures in studies, or simply disrespect for
yourself, or the aimlessness of life, or something else. This is where you need to decide over time.

3. I would also recommend that you think about the moral side of your life: I don’t know, of course.
yours real biography, but based on their letter... she left her boyfriend, a blow to her relatives, grades at school
for beautiful eyes... All this, to put it mildly, needs to be changed, or rather not this, but those character traits
that allow you to do this. If YOU go to church or work there, then listen to
what the priests say. Read or watch Osipova A.I., Kuraeva - for me in due time
Osipov helped a lot. In the long term, you need to cultivate honesty, certainty in
life, sincerity, kindness, rationality and so on. This is a very serious point. Very.

4. Turn to God for help sincerely and constantly cultivate your best qualities.
Go to confession, study Orthodoxy more deeply. Not at the level of theory, but at the level of practice. Let
You won’t be able to do everything right away, but introduce something little by little into your life.
Our sincere aspirations and our heart are important to God.

5. I would also recommend that you realize that it is important to do something for now and something for later:
work both to solve immediate problems and to develop a strategy for your life. I'm not a psychologist, but I
it seems that NOW you just need to calm down, rethink your goals, maybe set them already
a little more adult, find some kind of outlet in the form of sports or fitness or another club,
talk to reasonable person. And in the future, you need to grow as individuals. Do your own thing
physical and spiritual health constantly: build a good relationship with your loved ones on
as much as possible, find your place in life, its taste, find something sacred in yourself, start a family,
cultivate in yourself qualities that are called virtues (kindness, honesty..) and so on.

And lastly: learn to think broader and bigger, to go beyond the situation where you see
The problem is to experience life through your experience and develop intelligently, holistically. And at 21 it's not too late
change yourself... one might even say that it's time :)))

Once again I repeat that I am not a psychologist and not much older than you. Everything I wrote here is based on
Only from my life experience and maybe something is wrong. And I wrote to you because I was in
situations of dead end and despondency, when you don’t want to live and you need to try very hard to get out of bed.

Sorry if it's long and confusing. I sincerely wanted to help!!!

Hello reader! I think that every student will agree with me if I confidently state that thoughts like: “I don’t want to study at a university: what should I do?” visit quite often, especially during the session. Of course, someone may say that this is a fundamentally wrong approach to studying and complete irresponsibility, but every student has the right to the blues, and not necessarily from a higher educational institution.

Any student has the right to be “slack,” but you shouldn’t dwell on such decadent thoughts for too long, otherwise they will become an obsession.

If you, reader, paid attention to this publication, this means that all is not lost, and the desire to return to the goal of becoming a certified specialist is still present, albeit remotely.

So why not look for a way out of this situation together, because, as you know: “One head is good, but two are much better.”

Causes of apathy towards learning

Before taking any drastic action in your future student life, it is important to understand the cause of such depression. It is possible that, having found "root of evil", your mood will noticeably improve, and the desire to continue your studies will return again and will not leave for a long time.

From my own experience, I will say that I had such blues in every course, and each time the reason was the most unexpected. Having systematized my memories and studied the stories of familiar students, I can safely talk about the reasons for my reluctance to continue my studies. As a rule, they are trivial and do not require deep philosophical knowledge.

1. Broken heart.

For the most part, student love is an integral component educational process, it’s not for nothing that they say that university stands for “to get married successfully” (and this truth also applies to men). So this is why young people meet, communicate, start touching romantic relationships and have no idea later life without each other, they build joint plans for the future. When these plans are dashed by everyday life, separation from your significant other ends not only in the desire to leave university, but also in the unwillingness to live.

2. A feeling of extreme injustice.

Many modern students do not perceive the leadership of the teacher, trying in all lectures and practical exercises prove you are right. However, sometimes “teachers,” being tough nuts, know how to put an upstart and an insolent person in their place, and they do it publicly. Such a blow to self-esteem provokes depression and blues, and the desire to study further disappears altogether.

3. Financial stability.

Today, many students skillfully combine work and study, and when the latter brings stability and financial independence, the meaning of the precious “crust” is completely lost. Another question arises: “Why do I need this study when I already know my future specialty and have a specific job?”

4. Session.

Before taking exams, the increased mental load takes all the energy, and the student, looking at the mountains of reference literature, only has the desire to sleep off and never go to university again. As a rule, this is a temporary phenomenon, and after passing the exam it seems that you are ready to move mountains. Such depression occurs more often just before and during the winter session, since in this “cold time” of the year the “hormone of happiness” is predominant in deficiency.

5. Mediocre studies.

If a student does not enjoy the educational process, and goes to university only for the sake of “crust” and the peace of mind of his parents, then the desire to quit studying visits him almost every morning, when the alarm clock forces him to get out of bed and interrupts his sweet sleep.

So now it is quite obvious what motivates a student when he unexpectedly loses the meaning of his future studies. If it is temporary, then there is no cause for concern; but when such “suicidal thoughts” occur almost every day, I become alarmed and reconsider my usual student life.

The power of motivation

Each student can independently get out of this feeling of apathy, or take timely help from family and friends. For example, a warm conversation among friends helped me, but for some, a good night’s sleep and a change of scenery are more suitable. Whatever a student does or undertakes, he should not quit his studies.

This is where we need to remember the motivation that brought him to these university walls a few years ago. It is important to refresh your memory of the values ​​that were put into your head upon admission, as well as the goals that were set in your first year.

Is it really possible that primitive blues can disrupt the usual routine of life and cross out all future careers and prospects?

How to bring back your love for learning?

I often asked myself this question, but I realized that giving advice to someone is stupid, because every student chooses for himself the way to overcome his depression. A person is, first of all, an individual, therefore, what works for some does not help others.

But I still decided to push students who were lost in themselves onto a certain path of truth, and give them a unique opportunity to still get a diploma higher education. So, reader, do not ignore these tips.

1. If a student feels that his head is boiling with new knowledge acquired in unlimited quantities, it's time to tell yourself "stop", until the allergy appeared while studying. It is recommended to take a break, relax, and then plunge into the world of science and reference literature with new strength and a fresh head. Such short breaks allow you to forget about studying for a while, which means they won’t one day cause apathy or even a feeling of deep disgust towards it.

2. When you feel “sweet” from studying, it’s time change the situation, and spend the weekend not with notes, but with friends or in nature, for example. Such changes in the usual routine allow you to take your mind off the walls of the university and dull objects, but the memories of a pleasant time spent will then inspire the most unexpected actions for a long time. Among them, the desire to receive a honors diploma or pass the exam only with excellent grades.

3. Set yourself new goal . This is necessary so that studying does not cause boredom, but, on the contrary, is a “stimulator” of excitement and the desire to learn something new. So why not invite the teacher to organize another scientific project in order to both show off and not die of boredom?

Such salvation from the blues helps excellent students gain new incentive, but mediocre students, on the contrary, can lead to a feeling of deep depression and noticeably worsen their academic performance. So use this method It is recommended only if you are confident in your mental abilities.

4. Strange as it may seem, what helps many students regain their desire to learn is Love. Indeed, this bright feeling inspires and inspires deeds, so you will immediately want to live, create and gain new knowledge in your specialty. So why not combine business with pleasure, especially since you have very little time left to study - a maximum of five years.

5. You can always change your choice. If a student suddenly realized that he had chosen the wrong specialty, then there is no need to torment himself with meaningless lectures and knowledge that in life will only bring melancholy and complete disappointment.

You need to understand yourself, and then take a fateful step in favor of future self-realization and change the mistakenly chosen specialty. Don’t think that this is impossible, because real miracles can happen in universities, you just need to go to the dean’s office and find the main wizard.

So now it is obvious that everything is not as bad as it might seem at first glance. The main thing is to find a way out for yourself that will allow you to remember why this long journey of five (maximum six) years was started.

If one fine day you have lost the desire to study at a university, then you should not “judge yourself”, but first, it is advisable to understand yourself. To do this, go on sick leave, get some sleep and change your surroundings, clearing your thoughts. Decisions should only be made consciously and with a clear mind, since a moment of weakness can become a fatal mistake in fate.

In addition, it would not hurt to consult with older comrades who have experienced such a depressive situation more than once during the educational process. Perhaps not everything is so bad, and the experience of “experienced” people will definitely help you get back on track.

You can also discuss your problem with your curator, since it is this person who cares about your fate.

As a rule, competent teachers not only perfectly read their subject, but are also subtle psychologists. This is exactly what you should take advantage of, the main thing is to choose a convenient time for conversation.

And the last thing: it won’t hurt to check with your caring parents about your blues; perhaps they will give practical advice and help you find a way out of this unpleasant situation. If the thought is: “I don’t want to study: what should I do?” does not leave, it is possible that it is time to change something in your life.

However, before taking radical measures, you should pay attention to all the above recommendations and, for your peace of mind, try them in practice.

What if it helps?

But on the other hand: isn’t it time to think about the meaning of life, maybe these are all signs of fate? Or maybe radical changes are coming in your life? And, nevertheless, my advice: “You shouldn’t become a fatalist, and under no circumstances should you give up your studies.”

Conclusion: As part of this article, you learned about what to do if you don’t want to study at university. We wish you to stop moping, pull yourself together and move forward to new successes and victories!

P.S. How do you cope with the fact that sometimes you don’t feel like studying? Share your secrets.

P.P.S. Happy Student's Day, dear reader, today is January 25th! (the article was published on January 25, 2014)

Psychologist's answer.

Hello, Nikita. The desire to postpone important matters until as late as possible is called in psychology. procrastination.“Procrastination can cause stress, guilt, loss of productivity, and dissatisfaction with others due to failure to fulfill obligations. The combination of these feelings and overexpenditure (first on unimportant matters and dealing with growing anxiety, then on working at an emergency pace) can provoke further procrastination. Why procastination occurs: 1) A person worries that he will not be able to fulfill important work, will show incompetence, will not live up to expectations, and therefore unconsciously tries to delay the moment when she will have to present her results. 2) The procrastinator limits himself due to a subconscious fear of becoming successful, standing out from the crowd and showing himself better than others (by becoming, for example, possible object inflated demands, criticism, envy).3) In addition, we are irritated by imposed roles, programs, plans, and we put things off in order to demonstrate (to others, management, the world) our independence and ability to act in accordance with our own decisions. Being subject to external pressure, we come into conflict with the masses or leadership.4) The subjective utility of an action (Utility), which determines a person’s desire to perform it, depends on four parameters: confidence in success (Expectancy), value, that is, expected reward ( Value), time until completion of work (Delay) and level of impatience, that is, sensitivity to delays (G). A person considers a task more useful if he is confident in its successful completion and expects a large reward from its results. On the contrary, things that still have a lot of time left to complete seem subjectively less useful.”

What follows from this? Need to find your personal interest(not because your teachers, parents or your girlfriend want it from you) in the work you do. It doesn’t matter how your teachers evaluate it or how your classmates react. “The level of procrastination is lower, the higher the expectations from the task and the more valuable its results are for the person personally. In other words, work is best done when expectations and personal commitment are high and time to completion is kept to a minimum."

Think about what gives you such valuable, necessary, and useful benefits from postponing your studies until later? Besides the fact that you are worried and feel remorse. How else can you get these benefits?..

It also helps fight procastination time management. Analysis and planning of the required work time. In general, what can I recommend to you, where to start. For example, you have a week of time left - do not set yourself the task of finishing the coursework overnight or in one day. As they say, “you need to eat an elephant by the hour,” and “take a bitter pill in small doses, otherwise you will completely lose the desire to drink it.” Agree with yourself that this afternoon or evening you will devote an hour of time to the course project - no more (!), and then you will do what interests you. (Be sure to praise yourself for the work you have done or the part that you did today, no matter how much time it takes you) And in order not to worry, not to “gnaw” yourself for doing nothing in the remaining time, the first thing you will do is spend exactly one hour to complete the coursework. And then you do whatever your heart desires, and with a clear conscience. If you do the math, then in a week an hour will be exactly one full night that you planned to spend on the project.

And one more moment. Nikita, how do you imagine your future after receiving your diploma? Perhaps you don’t want to work in the specialty that you are pursuing. Then postponing the project and, in general, studying is to your advantage. Unconsciously this is what you want. And even time management is powerless here. You know what you want (not to work in this specialty) and there is no need to “break” or remake yourself! Think about who you would like to work for and what specialty you would like to pursue if you had a choice. Actually, that’s what you have - give up what is not interesting to you and switch to what suits your interests. Well, let's say you're in the 5th year. Studying is just the beginning; work awaits you, where you will also have to force yourself to do the work you don’t like. Therefore, the sooner you stop and change direction, the better. Or think right now, decide for yourself what related, more suitable job you can find with this education or get another specialty after graduating from this one. And then your current training is clearly in your personal interests. This particular coursework may not be that interesting - but it is a step, another step that will lead you to your dream, the goals that you have chosen for yourself.

P.S. And now there is a lot of good literature about procrastination and time management, I recommend that you read it in more detail.