Most of us were never taught how to enjoy studying.
It was just something we had to do. Like chores. Or dentist appointments.
You open a textbook, stare at the same sentence five times, and wonder if your brain’s secretly gone on vacation without you.
I knew I’d be doing it a lot when I got into my engineering college. And I wanted to make it bearable.
So, what if I told you studying can feel satisfying?
Like brewing the perfect cup of coffee, or finally understanding a scene in a movie that confused you for years.
Joy in studying isn’t about forcing motivation—it’s about shifting how you approach it.
Below are some real, tangible ways I learned to love learning again. I learn every day now, even though I’m in my 30s. I’m always studying something because my line of work requires it.
So, these are the tips that have really helped me study and make studying fun.
No toxic productivity, no “study 16 hours a day” nonsense.
Just practical changes that actually helped.
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1. Understand Your “Why”
Before you dive into any material, ask yourself: Why am I learning this?
It sounds cliché, but it matters.
Maybe you’re studying to get into a program you’ve dreamed about for years. Maybe you want to prove to yourself that you’re capable.
Or maybe you just want to stop feeling like you’re behind everyone else.
When I was prepping for a professional certification a few years ago (I was studying Human Relationships and Psychology), I started sticking post-its on my mirror that said things like “You’re doing this to finally be able to help women” and “You want your lifestyle blog to succeed.”
It helped more than I expected.
Every time I wanted to procrastinate, I remembered those sticky notes. They grounded me.
Knowing your why gives purpose to the pages.
2. Romanticize the Process (Yes, Really)
You’ve probably heard this advice on TikTok or Pinterest and rolled your eyes. I did too.
But hear me out.
Light a candle. Make a cozy drink. Use highlighters that make you happy.
Set up your study space like you’re the main character in a Studio Ghibli film who’s about to conquer ancient knowledge.
I absolutely love writing. So I use very pretty notebooks and pens.
Seriously—something as simple as playing lo-fi music or wearing comfy socks can make studying feel less like a chore and more like a ritual.
When I was in college, I’d go to the terrace and study when the sun rose.
I didn’t even need to go there.
But just being surrounded by nature (our college was surrounded by nature) made me feel like what I was doing mattered.
And honestly, it made me look forward to studying.
3. Switch Up How You Study
If reading the textbook feels like watching paint dry, stop doing it the same way.
Try:
- Watching a YouTube explainer with animated visuals
- Drawing silly stick-figure comics of a concept
- Explaining a topic to your dog (yes, it works)
- Creating voice notes and listening while you do chores
Once, I couldn’t understand a coding concept no matter how many tutorials I watched.
I ended up teaching it to my younger cousin using LEGO bricks.
It clicked.
For both of us. Learning doesn’t have to look like sitting silently with a notebook. It’s okay to be weird with it.
I’ve learned one thing from studying – teaching someone else helps you retain information so much better.
4. Make It Social (Even If You’re an Introvert)
Studying doesn’t have to be solitary.
Join a Discord study server.
Start a “study with me” Zoom call with friends. Or just go to a library where other people are also deep in their books.
The silent pressure of other humans concentrating? It works.
Back when I was prepping for finals, I used to go to a local library with a friend. We didn’t talk much, but knowing she was there made me stay off my phone.
We’d take breaks together and reward ourselves with coffee. It was fun. It didn’t feel like suffering. It felt like… being in it together.
5. Celebrate Small Wins
Got through 20 pages? Take a walk.
Solved a hard math problem? Eat that chocolate. Finished summarizing a chapter? Text a friend that you did it.
We wait for big wins to feel proud—like acing the exam or finishing the entire syllabus. But joy lives in the tiny wins.
And if you start acknowledging those, you’ll feel like you’re making progress even when the road’s long.
When I was studying for a super overwhelming subject, I made a checklist of really tiny tasks.
Like “Write one flashcard” or “Read 1 paragraph.” Crossing them off gave me mini dopamine hits.
I started to crave checking things off—so I kept going.
6. Be Curious Instead of Perfect
Perfection kills joy.
Instead of thinking I have to get this right, try asking I wonder how this works?
Curiosity feels lighter than pressure. You’re allowed to not know things. You’re allowed to be bad at it while you’re learning.
When I was learning about World War I in school, I hated memorizing dates. It felt like data, not meaning.
But one day I asked, “Why did people want to go to war back then?” That rabbit hole led me to learn about propaganda posters, class systems, psychology—and suddenly, I wanted to know more.
Curiosity opened the door joy had been hiding behind.
7. Take Breaks Without Guilt
Studying when you’re mentally fried is pointless.
Rest is part of learning.
When you step away, your brain connects ideas in the background.
Ever had that moment when a concept “suddenly makes sense” while you’re brushing your teeth? That’s your brain at work—off the clock.
I used to feel guilty for taking breaks, especially if I didn’t feel “productive” enough.
But then I started treating my breaks like appointments. They weren’t optional—they were built in.
Study for 45 minutes.
Break for 10.
It helped me focus better when I was actually working.
8. Make It About Growth, Not Grades
Grades are temporary. Growth is permanent.
If you can start seeing studying as a way to grow your brain, your confidence, your perspective—you’ll start enjoying it more.
Every page, every mistake, every “ugh, this is hard” moment is part of leveling up.
I had a friend who journaled after every study session. Not about the content, but about how she felt. She’d write stuff like, “Didn’t get much done today, but I showed up. That matters.” And it does.
You’re not just learning facts. You’re learning how to learn. And that’s powerful.
Final Thoughts
Studying doesn’t always feel magical.
Some days it will suck. But if you can learn to find joy in it—even just a little bit—it won’t feel like something you’re dragging yourself through.
It’ll start to feel like something you own.
Something you’re doing for yourself, not to yourself.
Give yourself permission to experiment, to fail, to try again, and to find your rhythm. You’re not behind.
You’re just getting started.
