
She’s ruthless, quick witted, and highly competitive.
The character of Paris Geller from Gilmore Girls is my favorite source of inspiration for a long study session or a difficult semester. Wholly dedicated to the task at hand, she gets things done and she gets them done expertly. Her competitive nature and discipline are not the only admirable traits we can pick up to become study machines like Paris Geller…
3 Tips to Study Like Paris Geller
Paris Geller Studies Smart and Hard
Paris is unapologetically competitive; she will show others how they are wrong and how she is right; she will make people cry; and she will absolutely do it all without looking at the carnage she’s left in her path. Paris is not afraid to push people out of her way to get to the top of the pedestal. But she doesn’t do this though brute force alone. It all begins with her own habits and her ability to be disciplined with herself.
Whether hunkering down to spend extra time on a project or working after hours to prepare for a debate, Paris aims to win from the very start by studying hard; ensuring she is the most aggressive thinker in the room. She prepares to win by studying the ins and outs of a topic, she rehearses those ideas until they are down solid, and, then, she studies just little bit more.
Tip 1: Study Smarter and Harder:
To study smarter and harder like Paris Geller consider how you study; specifically, think about your actual study routine and your mindset while you study. Try thinking of ways you can be more efficient while studying; using tools like Long Smooth Underline to read faster, or Cornell notes to make note taking more efficient and useful can be great additions to your routine. To study more like Paris, start by preparing your study space 15 minutes before your scheduled study time and give yourself a few minutes to get into a disciplined headspace. Then, set a dedicated length of time to work on your topic at hand. Last, work like you are aiming to be an expert on that subject. Don’t just read, make sure to take notes, ask yourself questions, and review what you’ve learned when you are done. Then, study just a little bit more. You could even imagine Paris is there studying with you; how can you embody her discipline and competitiveness in your study habits? Don’t be afraid to get a little competitive with yourself; what can you do to become a better student each time you sit down to study?
Paris Aim’s High
Knowing your dream outcome as a student (even if it seems impossible) is a useful way to keep your drive and inspiration up when studying. Paris’ dream outcome is to attend Harvard University and study either medicine or law. She knows that Harvard is one of the most competitive universities in the world and, accordingly, must study like a highly competitive student. Maybe your goal isn’t as big as that, but it can be a fun thought experiment to imagine the highest possible outcome for your academic journey and see how that changes the way you study.
Tip 2: Set an “Impossible” Goal:
Take some time to experiment; if you want to become a doctor, what would it be like if you were applying to, say, Johns Hopkins, or another world renowned school of medicine? What would your study schedule look like? How would your mental or emotional weather change to fit that sort of goal? One of the reasons Paris succeeds as a student is because she aims high and matches her effort accordingly. Take some time to really think about the highest goal you could accomplish as a student and then make adjustments to your study habits and mindset; what would it take to become the sort of person who could achieve that feat? Consider keeping reminders of that big goal around your desk, like a Johns Hopkins flag or banner for your desk. You never know where your efforts might take you!
Paris is Not Afraid to Participate
One thing about Paris is that she is unapologetically smart. She is not embarrassed to be a know it all in class, or to raise her hand frequently, or to question others (including teachers). Put simply, she is not afraid to be smart and outspoken, and this makes all the difference in the classroom. While this may seem trivial it actually sets Paris apart from her peers in a few ways. Notably, classroom participation becomes an opportunity to check her knowledge, solidify her findings, and flex her academic muscles. She is willing to lead the conversation in class and provide answers, even if she’s already participated a significant amount. This leaves a lasting impression on her teachers and professors.
But what participation really does is give Paris a ton of reps with what she has studied and reinforces what she’s knows through verbal communication and debate with her peers. She doesn’t let her hard work go unnoticed and always takes an opportunity to showcase the hard work she has put it, solidifying her spot as a top student in the eyes of peers and teachers, and interestingly enough, solidifying her study efforts.
Tip 3: Participate in Class:
While it may seem somewhat unusual, you can study like Paris Geller by participating in class, as well as by rehearsing what you know with your peers. This can be uncomfortable at first, especially if you aren’t used to speaking up in class, but participation will help you become more confident and solidify what you’ve studied. There will, of course, be moments when you get somethings wrong or don’t speak as eloquently as Paris Geller, but the more you attend to speaking in class, the more eloquent you will become. An added benefit to participation, aside from reinforcing what you’ve studied, is good repour with your teachers.
As someone who has taught before, I can tell you there is nothing more uncomfortable than a dead silent classroom after you’ve asked a question. Even if you are the only student raising your hand, know that the teacher appreciates your continuous engagement and participation. Those few students who do raise their hands (frequently or infrequently) tend to lead class discussions and often bring up ideas that spark ideas for other students. As a teacher, we always remember students who participate!
Conclusion
Whether working to create a more disciplined study schedule, changing your mindset with challenging goals, or unapologetically participating in class discussions, you can aim to become a study machine like Paris Geller with consistent effort and discipline. If you try out any of these tips or mindset shifts, let us know how it worked for you in the comments! Check out more study tips here 🙂