22 Tips on How to Romanticize Studying & Make Studying Fun

Do you find studying to be a tedious task that drains all your energy? Do you wish you had more motivation for studying?

If so, learning how to romanticize studying can transform studying into a more enjoyable experience. Whenever I’m feeling unmotivated, I find that these tips help me feel more inspired to start working.

From creating the perfect study space to making studying fun and finding passion in learning, I hope that these tips also inspire you to start studying hard.

Let’s jump right in!

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What Does Romanticizing Study Mean?

According to the Oxford Language Dictionary, the definition of the verb romanticize is:

To deal with or describe in an idealized or unrealistic fashion; make (something) seem better or more appealing than it really is.

In short, romanticizing study is about creating a mindset shift that makes studying more positive and enjoyable. It’s about turning studying from a boring, tedious task to something that you look forward to and even enjoy.

Creating the Perfect Study Space

Let’s start with the basics—creating a study space. As a student, you probably spend a significant amount of time studying at your desk. So, it’s important to make it an inviting and cozy space. Here’s how you can do it:

Tip #1: Use Soft Lighting

Instead of harsh overhead lights, use a lamp with a soft glow. It’ll create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

I use an LED desk lamp, which has adjustable light settings.

Tip #2: Use Natural Light

If you’re studying during the daytime and have a window, position your desk near the window to allow natural light in. It’s more conducive to studying than artificial lighting.

Tip #3: Keep It Clutter-Free

A messy desk will reduce your productivity and increase your anxiety. Therefore, having a clean and organized study space is essential to staying focused.

Keep your desk free of clutter, and use organizers to store your stationery and other study materials.

If you have a small desk that you struggle with keeping organized, check out this comprehensive list of student desk essentials to maximize storage in a small space.

Tip #4: Add Comfortable Textures

If you have room, add a soft and comfortable rug, some plush pillows, and a cozy blanket to your study space. It’ll make it more inviting and help you relax.

Tip #5: Keep It Quiet

Avoid studying in noisy areas, and consider using noise-canceling headphones if you’re easily distracted by sounds.

Tip #6: Add Comfortable Furniture

Do you find that sitting for long periods of time strains your eyes and makes your back hurt? Investing in comfortable furniture can alleviate these uncomfortable pains.

Choose a comfortable, ergonomic chair. Amongst other benefits, an ergonomic chair can enhance your productivity, reduce physical pains, and improve your posture.

Also, make sure to choose a desk that’s the right height for you. Personally, I use a standing desk because alternating between sitting and standing helps me stay more focused and comfortable.

If you work on a laptop, use a laptop stand that elevates the screen to eye level. This will put less strain on your neck. I’ve linked my favorite laptop stand below.

You’ll be surprised how much of a difference these choices can make!

Tip #7: Include Scents and Candles

Light a scented candle or use a diffuser to add a pleasant aroma to your study space. Just make sure to blow out the candle after your study session.

Tip #8: Personalize the Space With Decor

Hang up some photos or artwork that inspire you. Add a plant or two to bring in some greenery and life. If you struggle with keeping plants alive, there are plenty of options for fake plants.

Add any other decor that matches your personality and makes your study space a positive place to be. Having a comfortable, clean, and personalized study space will improve your productivity and make studying more enjoyable.

Tip #9: Use Lots of Colors

Choose different-colored binders and/or notebooks for different classes.

Also, make your notes stand out by using different colored highlighters and pens. If you do digital note-taking, choose an app that makes it easy to take aesthetic, organized notes.

Personally, I do a mix of pen-and-paper and digital notes. When I do digital notes, I either type them up in my favorite aesthetic note-taking app using the toggle method of note-taking (a modified version of the sentence method of note-taking) or handwrite them using the boxing method of note-taking on my tablet.

However, don’t spend too much obsessing over the aesthetics of your notes. At the end of the day, the purpose of note-taking is to facilitate learning, not to create some art masterpiece to ogle over. Here are 14 effective and efficient methods of note-taking that you can choose from.

This is the Course Hub in Notion, where I organize and take notes.

This is an example of notes taken using the boxing method on my iPad.

Tip #10: Listen to Music (or Other Relaxing Sounds)

Choose music or other relaxing sounds that help you focus. Here are some great options:

• Ambiance playlists (one of my favorites is you’re studying in a haunted library with ghosts)
• Classical music (check out this Best of Debussy playlist!)
• Movie soundtracks (not the hype ones, of course—I find that these Inception and Interstellar 1-hour loops are pretty effective)
• Environmental sounds (these are integrated directly into the Forest app—learn more about how you can use the Forest app for studying to stay focused here)
• Study With Me videos
• Lofi

Tip #11: Incorporate Movement Breaks

Sitting for long periods of time can drain your energy and cause lower back pain.

Take at least one break every hour to stretch, walk around, or do some quick exercises. It’ll boost your energy levels and help you stay more focused.

Tip #12: Create Study Games

Turn studying into a game by creating flashcards or quizzes. You can even challenge your friends to a game of jeopardy before an exam.

Tip #13: Use Study Apps

There are plenty of study apps that can help make studying more engaging, such as Quizlet and Duolingo.

As I mentioned, I also use the Forest app while studying to help me stay focused. It’s an aesthetic app that gamifies studying by allowing you to grow virtual trees (and donate real trees). If you open your phone while a study session is going on, your tree will die. You can also install the Forest Chrome extension on your desktop to avoid Internet browsing.

One of my favorite apps for students is Notion, an all-in-one workspace that I use as a student planner app and aesthetic note-taking app. I use Notion to organize and track almost everything in my life, including deadlines, goals, long-term projects, habits, and more.

One of my favorite things is how easy it is to make Notion aesthetic. Below, you can find two examples of Notion setups: one dark academia and one kawaii food. You can also grab a free Notion template by filling out the form!

Tip #14: Pretend to Be a Favorite Character

Pretending you’re a studious character from a favorite academia-related movie, TV show, book, or other media source may sound silly but can be very effective.

Imagine yourself as Hermione from Harry Potter, Elle Woods from Legally Blonde, Rory Gilmore from Gilmore Girls, or anyone else who inspires you to study.

Tip #15: Study With a Group

Forming a study group can be a great way to make studying more enjoyable. You can bounce ideas off each other, quiz each other, and have fun while learning.

Tip #16: Take Breaks

Taking breaks can improve your productivity. Make sure to take regular breaks and do something you enjoy during your break time, like reading a book or listening to music.

If you’re not sure how often to take breaks, you can try out the Pomodoro method, which is one of my favorite productivity tips for studying. According to this method, you should study in 25-minute intervals with 5-minute breaks in between. After every 3-4 study sessions, take a longer break of 15-20 minutes.

This is a Pomodoro tracker page in Notion.

I used to think taking breaks was “unproductive” because it took time away from studying. However, I discovered that once I started taking breaks, I could get more done. Breaks help you mentally and physically recharge—they are absolutely necessary for working productively for long periods of time.

However, you shouldn’t spend your break scrolling through social media or getting lost in some other digital rabbit hole. In one study, researchers found that students who took a break on their cell phone took 19% longer to do the task they were assigned and solved 22% fewer problems.

Finding Passion in Learning

When you’re passionate about a subject, studying becomes a lot more enjoyable. Here are some tips to find passion in your studies:

Tip #17: Use Aesthetic Study Motivation Wallpapers

Setting your phone lock screen to a study motivation wallpaper can serve as a reminder to study hard each time you open your phone.

You can check out 36 study motivation quote wallpapers here:

You can also check out 57 inspirational exam quote wallpapers here:

Tip #18: Look for Real-World Applications

Find out how the subject you’re studying can be applied in the real world. It will help you understand the subject better and make it more interesting.

I’ve found that finding real-world applications can even make studying for classes you hate more fun.

Tip #19: Use Creativity

Incorporate creativity into your studies by using visual aids, mind mapping, and diagrams. According to various studies, such as this one, visual methods of learning can help you remember and understand information better.

This is an example of the mapping method of note-taking.

Tip #20: Set Goals and Create a Vision Board

Write down your academic and personal goals and visualize yourself achieving them. It’ll motivate you to study harder.

Here is a vision board I created in Notion:

You can also create a vision board in Pinterest by setting up a board titled something like “Study Motivation” or “Study Aesthetic”.

Tip #21: Visualize Success

When you’re studying, imagine yourself acing the exam or achieving other goals you’ve set. It’ll help you stay focused and motivated.

Tip #22: Journal

One of the best methods for relaxation and self-growth is journaling.

You can write about what you intend to do—short-term and long-term goals you want to achieve. At the end of a day or after a study session, you can also write about what you accomplished, what worked and what didn’t, and areas of improvement. Check out these effective before bed journal prompts for other prompts you can answer for self-growth.

Here are my two favorite journals:

Overview of How to Romanticize Studying

Studying doesn’t have to be a tedious task. By following these tips, you can make it an enjoyable experience. Here’s a quick recap of how to romanticize studying:

• Create a cozy study space. Use good lighting, keep your workspace organized, and add personal elements.
• Make studying fun. You can achieve this by switching up your study style, making your notes colorful, envisioning yourself as a studious character, or using study apps.
• Find passion in your studies. Set goals for yourself and visualize yourself achieving them.

Once you start romanticizing studying, you’ll be able to overcome study procrastination and start finding enjoyment in learning!

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For more posts on studying, check out:

• How to Use the Forest App for Studying
• 7-Day Dopamine Detox for Studying—Skyrocket Your Focus Now!
• Best Aesthetic Note Taking App (Free & Easy-to-Use)
• 14 Methods of Note-Taking That Are Efficient & Effective
• 5 Ways to Increase Attention Span While Studying Immediately (+ 5 Longer Ways)
• How to Wake Up at 5am to Study—Tips From a Former Night Owl
• 7 Secret Tips For Studying That Will Transform How You Study
• How to Ace a Class You Hate

Which of these tips will you be applying to motivate yourself to study? Let me know in the comments below!