✿ HOW TO STUDY A SUBJECT YOU ABSOLUTELY HATE ✿ (MINI-SERIES #2 - THE SUBJECT SURVIVAL GUIDE)

Heya Study Beans!! ✿ It's your barista, Rora!! ☕🌷 First of all, I'm SO sorry for disappearing for MONTHS! It's been such a long time since I last posted, and quite a lot has happened since then. Life's been a little hectic, and I've changed a fair bit since you last heard from me, too. Honestly, it's a little strange being back after so long, but I'm really happy to be writing here again! Thank you for sticking around even when the café was quiet <33

Now, welcome to Mini-Series No. 2: The Subject Survival Guide!! This is Part 1 of 3, and we're starting with a topic I think many of us can relate to: studying a subject we absolutely HATE. A little warning, though - this one's going to be quite lengthy because there's a LOT to cover, and I want to make sure you actually get useful advice rather than a bunch of generic study tips. So grab a snack, get comfortable, and let's get into it!! ☕📚

Ever opened a textbook, stared at the same paragraph for ten minutes, and somehow ended up hating the subject even more? Well, let's talk about how to study a subject you absolutely hate without making it unnecessarily miserable.

1. For Maths:
Maths can be particularly frustrating when you understand a concept while reading an example but suddenly forget everything when you have to solve a question yourself. The key is to understand the logic behind the method instead of relying entirely on memorisation.

Start by identifying what you're struggling with. Is it understanding the concept, remembering formulas, choosing the correct method, or making calculation errors? These problems require different approaches, so figuring out where you're getting stuck is important.

If you don't understand the concept, revisit the explanation and work through a solved example step by step. Pay attention to why each step is performed instead of simply copying the method. Once you've understood the example, try solving a similar question without looking at the solution. If you get stuck, check the particular step you need help with, then attempt the question independently again.

You can also maintain a formula sheet containing the formula, what each symbol represents, and an example of when to use it. However, don't just memorise the formula and move on. Make sure you understand what it helps you calculate and practise recognising situations in which it applies.

Another useful technique is maintaining a mistake log. Whenever you get a question wrong, record the mistake and its cause. Did you misunderstand the question? Use the wrong formula? Forget a negative sign? Make a calculation error? Write down the correct approach and revisit the question a few days later. This helps you recognise recurring mistakes instead of repeatedly making them.

Finally, start with questions that test the basics before moving to more challenging problems. Once you can solve simpler questions independently, gradually increase the difficulty. You don't need to solve fifty questions in one sitting; you need to understand the methods you're using and learn from the mistakes you make.

2. For Science:
Science has three very different branches, and treating all of them as subjects that require nothing but memorisation can make studying much harder. Physics, Chemistry, and Biology each have different demands, so let's look at how to approach them individually!

(a) Physics:
Physics becomes easier when you understand the concept behind a formula instead of trying to memorise a collection of letters and numbers. Before solving numerical problems, identify what the question gives you, what you need to calculate, and which formula connects the two.

Write down the known values, convert the units if necessary, substitute the values carefully, and show your calculations step by step. Once you've obtained an answer, check whether the unit is correct and whether the result makes sense in the context of the question.

For example, when studying speed, distance, and time, understand the relationship between these quantities before practising numerical problems. If you know the distance travelled and the time taken, you can calculate speed. If you understand that relationship, you can also rearrange the formula to find distance or time when the other values are given.

Diagrams can help with concepts that seem abstract in the textbook. Try drawing a simple representation of what is happening and labelling the important quantities. When studying a law or principle, ask yourself what it means, what conditions it applies under, and how it can be used to explain a situation.

Once you've understood a concept, practise questions that apply it in different ways. Don't simply repeat the same example with different numbers. Try questions that require you to identify the relevant information and decide which method to use. This helps you develop an understanding that you can apply to unfamiliar problems.

(b) Chemistry:
Chemistry combines conceptual understanding, equations, numerical problems, and information that needs to be remembered. Trying to memorise an entire chapter without understanding how its ideas connect can make revision unnecessarily difficult.

Begin by understanding the basic concepts and terminology before moving on to more complicated material. When studying chemical equations, identify the reactants and products first, then practise balancing the equation by counting the atoms on both sides. Remember that balancing an equation involves changing coefficients, not the chemical formulas themselves.

For reactions, try organising related examples together and identifying what they have in common. Depending on your syllabus, you could compare the reactants, products, reaction conditions, or the type of reaction involved. Understanding these relationships can make individual reactions easier to learn and revise.

For definitions, symbols, and other information that requires accurate recall, use flashcards or short self-tests. Look at a question or term, try recalling the answer without looking, and check whether you remembered it correctly. Pay particular attention to the information you repeatedly forget.

If your chapter includes numerical problems, write down the given values, identify the relevant formula, and work through each calculation carefully. Practise the basic question types first, then move on to problems that require several steps.

Most importantly, distinguish between concepts you don't understand and information you simply haven't memorised yet. The first requires explanation and practice; the second often benefits from repeated recall and revision. Recognising the difference can save you a lot of time.

(c) Biology:
Biology chapters can contain long paragraphs, unfamiliar terminology, detailed processes, and several diagrams, which can make them feel overwhelming. Instead of memorising every sentence word for word, begin by understanding the main idea of each section.

Divide the chapter into smaller topics and identify the important keywords, definitions, functions, and processes. Flowcharts can help you organise information that follows a sequence, while comparison tables are useful for understanding the differences between related concepts.

When studying a biological process, focus on what happens at each stage and why it happens. Try explaining the process in your own words before learning the precise terminology required by your syllabus. Once you understand the sequence, practise recalling the important terms and details accurately.

Labelled diagrams deserve particular attention. Don't stop at looking at a completed diagram and assuming you know it. Try drawing it yourself, labelling it from memory, and checking your work against the textbook. Pay attention to the placement and spelling of labels, along with the functions of the structures shown.

After completing a section, close your book and explain the concept aloud or write a short summary without referring to your notes. Then check what you missed. This helps you distinguish between information you genuinely understand and information that merely looks familiar when you read it.

Biology also benefits from regular revision because chapters can contain many related facts and terms. Revisit difficult definitions, diagrams, and processes over several study sessions rather than leaving all the memorisation until the night before an exam.

3. For Languages:
Languages require a combination of understanding, memorisation, and regular practice. Studying them by simply reading chapters repeatedly may not be enough, especially when your syllabus includes grammar, literature, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and writing.

For grammar, begin by understanding the rule and examining a few examples. Then create your own sentences using it and practise questions without looking at the answers first. If you repeatedly make the same mistake, write down the rule and revisit it during your next revision session. Understanding why a sentence is correct is more useful than memorising an answer without knowing how it works.

For literature, read the chapter carefully and make sure you understand the plot, characters, important events, and central ideas before preparing written answers. You can create short chapter summaries or organise important events in order to make revision easier. Instead of memorising entire answers word for word, identify the key points that need to be included and practise explaining them in your own words. Check your textbook or prescribed material to ensure that your answers remain accurate and include the details your syllabus expects.

For vocabulary and spelling, use flashcards and test yourself regularly. Pay extra attention to words you repeatedly forget, and practise using unfamiliar words in sentences to understand their meaning and usage. If your language includes different grammatical forms or conjugations, practise applying them instead of simply reading through a table.

Writing practice is equally important. Depending on your syllabus, practise formats such as letters, essays, notices, or other prescribed writing tasks. Learn the required structure, observe how examples are organised, and write your own responses within a reasonable time. Afterward, check grammar, spelling, punctuation, and whether you've answered the question properly.

Finally, try to include a little language practice in your routine regularly. Reading, writing, revising vocabulary, and solving grammar questions all strengthen different skills. You don't need to work on every area in every session, but revisiting them consistently helps you avoid having to relearn everything just before an exam.

You don't have to love every subject to improve at it, and struggling with one doesn't mean you're incapable of learning it. The important thing is to understand what makes the subject difficult, choose methods that address those difficulties, and give yourself enough time to practise. Some concepts will take longer to understand than others, and that's completely normal. Instead of expecting yourself to master an entire chapter immediately, focus on making steady progress and revisiting what you find challenging. You might not suddenly become the biggest fan of your least favourite subject, but you can become more confident in handling it, one concept at a time. And honestly, that's a pretty good place to start!

- Rora🌷