How to get the most of every class
Ideally, you set yourself up so that you do the things you enjoy. Life is short, so why bother doing things you dislike, or wasting time on topics, places, or people you don’t like? Realistically, it’s not so easy — we all encounter things that we don’t like, or find difficult to do. The trick is to try and take away from the experience. What do you take away from a class you don’t like?
What’s key is to keep an open mind and stay optimistic.
It’s so much easier said than done, I know. For some people, no matter what I say, earnestly, or otherwise, the problem won’t change. That statistics/biochemistry/history/English class will still suck. What’s key is to keep an open mind and stay optimistic. Approaching the class with the tired attitude of, “this sucks, why should I bother?” doesn’t help anyone. You’ve already put yourself in a position that makes it incredibly hard to motivate yourself, and that lack of motivation does not breed success.
I already seem to sound like a broken record — the bright enthusiastic advice I am telling you sounds so cliché. I’m not saying that you should view unenjoyable classes as good classes. Hate classes all you want. What reeks like a rotten potato doesn’t suddenly smell like roses. If you find yourself having to work on something you don’t like, why would you expect to suddenly start enjoying yourself? However, maintaining that mindset is not productive at all.
While you may not enjoy specific classes, the ability to learn valuable lessons and become active your education is a crucial experience.
There are two methods that I use to learn from a class I don’t enjoy: trick myself into liking it, or work hard at it with long-term gains in mind.
When I say that I trick myself, I don’t mean to say it’s as simple as trying to get someone to drink their tea with salt instead of sugar. What I am saying is that, to enjoy a task you dislike, you should slowly try to convince yourself that what you’re doing is relevant or interesting. This can be hard, especially when it’s all just numbers on a page, but small steps and setting up rewards can be really helpful. Try to keep in mind exactly what you’re learning and why your professor is taking the time to teach you this. Also, work on the subject in small chunks. Throwing yourself into readings you’ve been avoiding will not help you stay engaged.
What I also find is that, sometimes, what I dislike are principles that I don’t understand or do poorly in. Work with friends who are enthusiastic about the subject, or who can help you understand the topic. Do you ever find that having a professor who is not enthusiastic about the subject makes it hard to listen? The same thing happens in classes you hate, even with impassioned professors. Working together with someone who enjoys the material can make the experience more enjoyable by association. Keep the groups small, so you don’t get lost. Discuss the readings you have to do, or the definitions that you have to memorize. When you see progress in class, you’ll start to feel more positive too.
But what if you can’t get yourself to enjoy the class — or maybe it isn’t a case of you doing poorly, but simply not finding content interesting? In that case, what I can only think to suggest is to stop looking at the material in short-term. Consider the long-term benefits, like how public presentations will help you in the future. It might not make things more enjoyable, but you will have a goal. The content of the class itself doesn’t even have to be a factor. If you need to take a class, try to combine it with something you love. You love the idea of researching, or becoming a doctor, or working in child care – “this class” is necessary for that goal. When you look at it that way, hopefully you will get more out of the experience.
Life, as amazing as it is, will always have you encounter obstacles that you don’t enjoy.
If this still doesn’t help, at least know that you will learn from the class precisely because you don’t like it. Life, as amazing as it is, will always have you encounter obstacles that you don’t enjoy. You will, perhaps, have bosses you can’t stand, projects you find tiring, or research that you find mind-numbingly boring. Hopefully, you will not force yourself to stay in a place you hate — but you will nonetheless encounter them. Knowing how to keep an open mind about the things you dislike will help you decide what to do next and how to work towards those things that you do love — and that is all that matters.