Massive lot of interest in studying, what should I do?

doodger New member

From: tokushima japan Registered: 2012-01-11 Posts: 2

Hello! Not quite sure if this is the right part of the forum but...

I am currently an exchange student in Japan, and recently after changing host family I hit a wall in studying... Before the switch I used both this website and Anki to review flashcard on a almost-every-daily basis, but now my interest in studying has dropped to rock bottom level... The problem might be that my Japanese has progressed to the point where it is good enough for everyday life/light media use(mangas, easier anime), but it's far from my desired level (which is, very high)... It might sound stupid for someone who wanna get very good at Japanese, but any interest in studying has dropped down to zero... I started wondering if my study methods were efficient, since I feel I'm swimming on the same spot in the middle of the sea and the shore is miles away...

Yeah, this sounds pretty confused, which sums up that I don't know what I should be doing now... Any reccomendations?

blackbrich Member

From: America Registered: 2010-06-06 Posts: 300

You could always try to read a book thats a bit difficult for you with a dictionary handy. I find reading more is the best alternative to srs.

nohika M.O.D.

From: America Registered: 2010-06-13 Posts: 384

Ahh, the plateau. It is the spot where you have to buckle down and just keep swimming. Whether you're just SRSing or reading or whatever.

If you feel the stuff is too easy, pick a slightly harder manga. Pick a novel with less furigana. Start challenging yourself. It's by challenging yourself that you learn.

Don't go off the deep end and do too hard, though. Don't want to burn yourself out.

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Nukemarine Member

From: 神奈川 Registered: 2007-07-15 Posts: 2347

Try subs2srs on an anime, but only for words or phrases you don't know. Delete all sentences you know off the bat. You'd be amazed how many things your mind glosses over when you're reading or watching that you could learn. Even better, you start seeing that word or phrase everywhere (like noticing your car model on the highway phenomenom).

Makes anime and dramas more fun, while breaking the studying monotony.

Last edited by Nukemarine (2012 May 08, 4:09 pm)

kainzero Member

From: Los Angeles Registered: 2009-08-31 Posts: 945

if you want your level to be high you need to start experiencing stuff that requires that high level.

i get an injection of motivation when i actually see or attempt to do something beyond my level. like pick up a novel or something.

Tzadeck Member

From: Kinki Registered: 2009-02-21 Posts: 2484

Fall in love with a girl (or guy) who doesn't speak any English.

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