Even if you schedule time to work on your firefighter promotional exam prep, getting in the mood to start and have a successful study session may be difficult. Next time you are not feeling into studying, try using these tips to help you get started.
Identify What is Making You Feel This Way
If you are supposed to be studying but are struggling getting started ask yourself why. Are there other things you’d rather be doing, are you tired, not feeling well? Once you have identified the root cause of your procrastination get past it and remind yourself the faster you get started the sooner it will be over. Procrastination and wallowing in your anti-studying mood is just going to take up more of your time. Remember, you are more likely to regret not studying than studying, especially if you don’t pass your exam.
Switch to a More Exciting Topic
One reason you may not be looking forward to studying is because the topic is boring or difficult. If you don’t want to study because you are dreading the content, change it. You are in charge of your studying, you can modify it however you want. You will eventually need to learn it all if you want to pass your promotional exam, but if you are not feeling up to going hard on a new subject make it a review day and come back to the new material when you are feeling more motivated. Whatever you do, do not skip material completely because it seems too daunting or boring as that will get you nowhere.
Switch Study Methods
People are habitual, if you started studying by just doing it one way, that may be the only way you study for your firefighter promotional exam and that could be the problem. Your study method that you think is tried and true just might not be cutting it for you anymore. Don’t be afraid to try new study methods, there are an endless amount. Study with other people, try flashcards or online practice tests. Spice up your study sessions a bit to get you more excited about learning.
Remember Why You are Doing It
A huge key to getting in the mood to study is to remember why you are studying in the first place. You chose to go for your goal of getting promoted in the fire service. You want to get a new job and a new paycheck. You decided to do this for a reason, so don’t let yourself forget what that reason was. It may be tough to get into the mood to study now, but I imagine you will be in a much worse mood if you do not pass your promotional exam because you skipped too many study sessions when you weren’t feeling like it.
You Control Your Mood
An important thing to remember is that only you can control your mood. You put yourself in a bad study mood, you can put yourself in a good one. Changing your mood is not as simple as flipping a switch but there are some things you can do to get in a better mood before you start studying. For example:
Exercise
Get some fresh air
Take a nap
Listen to music
Snuggle your pet
Say positive affirmations
Do whatever you need to do to help you feel more in the mood to study for your firefighter promotional exam so you ace it when you take it.
The Takeaway
Studying can be a pain in the butt, but don’t let it get the best of you. If you aren’t in the mood to study, do it anyways. Take a few minutes before you start studying to try to get more excited about it and remind yourself why you are even studying in the first place; to get promoted in the fire service.