Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Practicals for Studying


In the spirit of finals week I thought I would give some advice to all the studiers out there. Having graduated with a degree in aerospace engineering it has been common for people to ask my why I am so smart. My answer, hopefully to the comfort of many, is that I’m really not that smart, it’s all God. “But you got a ###GPA in rocket science”, yes, but my good grades did not come from trust in God.

In high school I had this mindset that I wasn’t going to worry about my grades, but I was just going to trust God. I had a teacher tell me once “you get everything you pray for”. I had an understanding that God had my back and whether my grades were good or bad that God was going to come through. Bringing this into college helped me tremendously through the years. My freshman year I prayed before every test, “God, if I’m not supposed to be in this major I want to completely fail this class” and I would somehow come out with an A. Many tests I would go into I honestly had no idea what I was doing (ask my friends who were teaching it to me the night before) and by some miracle would come out with an A and would do better than those who were teaching me. On one test I was the only person who got one problem right (and thus the only A) and all I did was draw a picture (remember I’m not an art major, I’m an engineer). Right now you might be thinking, “well, I wish I had that much favor”, but it’s not about favor, it’s about trust. In every test my goal was to walk in the understanding that I believed that God had me there and that God wasn’t going to let me down pass or fail. If He wanted me to be an aerospace engineer, then I would do fine. If He wanted me to make good grades, then I would. If He wanted me to make worse grades and thus have to trust Him more in finding a job, then that was OK to. Regardless of the outcome, if I was faithful with what God was calling me to, then I would be successful.

Now let me make something clear; trusting in God for your grades does NOT mean that you can slack off and not care about your schoolwork. God has called us to be faithful in the little (see the parable of the talents) and He has called us to do everything with excellence as working for the Lord (Colossians 3:23). When we do our part, we can trust that whatever outcome is God’s will. This also applies to our responsibilities outside of studying such as cleaning our room, loving our friends, spending time with Jesus, staying fit, etc. Anything that God has put in your life you need to steward well because they all overflow into each other.

Up to this point you are probably still looking for the practicals, but I needed to give clear vision first. So here are the practicals:

1. Have clear vision to why you are studying. If you believe studying is a waste of time, than you won’t succeed. Even the classes that are non-applicable to what you want to do matter because they are part of your degree plan and need them to get your degree.

2. Have a pocket verse ready. A pocket verse is any verse that can motivate/calm you down. When I go into a test I always write a verse on the back so that when I would get stressed I would flip the test over, read the verse, calm down, and get back into the test. One of my favorites was Isaiah 40:31, “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

3. Tithe your studying time. Don’t spend all of your time reading (or playing for Facebook), but also take out time for Jesus. After every 2 hours of studying (120min) take 12min to read your Bible, pray, worship, etc.

4. Know what your distractions are and get away from them. If you know that your 5min study break on Facebook will turn into a 30min study break, then don’t get on Facebook. It is good to take study breaks every now and then (I like to study for 1 hr, take 5-10min break), but have self-control. “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power, of love, and of self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7 NIV, italics added)

5. Set achievable but challenging goals. Commit to finishing studying a chapter per hour (or whatever goals you make). Goals are good because they motivate you, give clear vision, and make you feel accomplished when you reach it.

6. Ask God for help, but not out of a place of desperation, but out of a place of joy and trust. He has all the wisdom you need, so just ask for it; He’s a good Father.

7. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. It’s sometimes humbling to ask, but we are made to work together. Get help on understanding problems, accountability to study, etc. When studying in a group be clear on your groups commitment and plan to study and the amount of breaks/distractions that are acceptable.

8. Take a walk before your test. It is scientifically proven that people who go for a short walk 30min before their test make higher grades. Take a walk and let God’s peace rest on you. Cramming right before may only stress you out.  


Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:4-7

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