# @carmen.strives on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DOWtD1ciJ8i
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/59924406-carmenstrives-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/ba033aab83.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-09-08T20:32:43.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Carmen | Medical student 🩺 (@carmen.strives) — https://gondola.cc/carmen.strives

## Caption

We all struggle with feeling demotivated to study sometimes — yep, even medical students! 😞

Here’s what I learned over 4 years before med school that actually made me enjoy studying⬇️:

1) Introduce ‘Random Intermittent Rewards’🎁
Science: Your brain reacts way more powerfully to unpredictable rewards than predictable ones.
Uncertainty triggers powerful dopamine spikes — the same effect that makes slot machines addictive.
Action: After each study session, flip a coin: heads = you get a snack, tails = you don’t.
It keeps your brain guessing and craving the next session!

2) Use the 5-Minute Neuroplasticity Window⏱️
Science: The first 5 minutes of any task decide whether your brain “locks in.”
Once you start doing, your brain flips from Default Mode Network (daydreaming) into Task Positive Network (focused work).
Action: Tell yourself that you’re just going to do it for 5 mins - read one line , write one sentence, etc.📝

3) Boost Adrenaline Before You Study📈
Science: Mild adrenaline (not panic) spikes norepinephrine, sharpening your focus and memory.
Action: Do 20 jumping jacks, a quick jog, or even splash cold water on your face before your study session. 

4) Friendly Competition with Friends👩🏼‍🤝‍👩🏻
Science: When you’re competing and emotionally engaged (e.g feeling pride, embarrassment, excitement), your brain treats the information as “important,” and locks it in stronger than if you were just reading alone
Action: Play kahoot, do blurting sessions, or quiz each other. Compete to see who can explain a concept accurately the fastest.

Studying shouldn’t feel like a chore! Gamify your study session, build momentum and studying will feel like FUN in no time! :D

📌Save this for later!

——
Follow carmen.strives for more study tips I learned in med school *✩‧₊˚

#medschooldiaries #medstudentlife #medstudent #medschool #studytips #studyhacks #examprep #stayfocus #focusmode #grindmode #memorisation

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- **Views:** 77,613
- **Likes:** 5,657
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- **Comments:** 7

## Tags

medstudent, focusmode, studytips, studyhacks, grindmode, medschooldiaries, medstudentlife, stayfocus, memorisation, medschool, examprep

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