How to maintain productivity and motivation throughout the learning process

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Whether you are attending professional development courses or acquiring new skills and knowledge through self-study, we believe that, in both cases, you want to achieve the best possible results. However, various internal and external factors—such as noise, difficulty concentrating for long periods, elevated stress, device usage, and other distractions—can shift your focus and dampen your motivation to continue learning. In the following article, discover more about learning methods that enhance productivity and motivation!

Why Maintaining Productivity is So Important?

Productivity is one of the key factors indicating how well one is doing with their studies. Completing a task on time, successfully passing an exam, or finishing a study material brings satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment. Furthermore, studies have shown that people with higher productivity levels experience lower stress. By focusing on just one task, we consume less time, energy, and internal resources, resulting in higher-quality work. However, it should be noted that productivity needs to be continuously improved and strengthened over one’s lifetime.

Here are some tips on how to achieve this:

• Follow the “50 + 10” principle. Divide your study sessions into 60-minute intervals, dedicating 50 minutes to active learning and 10 minutes to rest. To make it easier to practice this method, we recommend setting a reminder in your virtual calendar or even setting an alarm.
• Avoid multitasking. While multitasking is often seen as a superpower in today’s fast-paced world, it actually dampens productivity, as our brains unfortunately cannot perform multiple tasks at the same high quality simultaneously.
• Focus on achieving small goals. Setting goals gives purpose to what we do. For example, one person may want to acquire new skills, another to excel in a final exam, while someone else may aim to become a certified professional in their field. While a goal is essential, we often set the bar too high, making it seem almost unattainable. To avoid this, break down the large goal into smaller, more manageable ones.

Tips for Maintaining Efficiency During the Learning Process

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Effective time management and learning techniques allow you to fully acquire new knowledge and successfully complete your studies. Remember that learning is a creative process, so don’t be afraid to experiment to find the methods that work best for you.

• Practice active reading. This learning method improves information comprehension and processing. It relies on a five-step strategy:
  • Explore the text. Carefully review the study material, paying attention to the table of contents, chapter titles, images, diagrams, and concluding paragraphs for a summary of the topic.
  • Ask yourself questions. Turn chapter headings into questions, recall what you already know about the topic, and think about what you want to learn.
  • Pay attention to details. Read highlighted information in the material, as it may contain valuable insights that can be useful in understanding the topic.
  • Take notes on the key points. To better retain information, it’s recommended to take notes, summarizing the main points of what you’ve read.
  • Connect new information to your experience. You’ll remember what you’ve read best if you can link it to personal experience or an event.
• Create mind maps. Creating mind maps is another way to improve and enhance the quality of learning. All you need is an A4 sheet of paper and colored markers or pens. Draw a circle in the center and write the main topic in it. Then, create branches for subtopics. Next to them, you can also add a few keywords that relate to them. For people with a strong visual memory, it’s recommended to supplement what you write with thematic drawings. This method helps in structuring your thought process. Moreover, our brains store information in long-term memory in a similar way. This method can be used both individually and for group work. If you prefer not to create mind maps by hand, you can use templates or mobile applications available online.
• Take self-assessments. One of the most effective ways to reinforce your knowledge is by taking self-assessment tests. Write down questions and try to answer them without looking at your book or study material. This method works best in groups. Ask each other questions that, in your opinion, might appear on the final exam. Engage in discussions and group discussions.

There are many ways to make the learning process as engaging and productive as possible. However, it is equally important to choose quality and informative courses on your topic of interest, led by competent and experienced experts. At the BDA, you can apply for more than 240 different courses, some of which offer certification opportunities. This means that, upon successfully passing the final exam, you receive an internationally recognized certificate valued in the job market. Find out more about current learning opportunities – for your professional growth!