Is studying too much bad?

**daniel_i_l** · Jul17-07, 05:40 PM

I've found that in the past month or so I've been studying math a lot (more that 8 hours a day). I really like it but am I studying to much? Should I be "playing outside" and enjoying the world (other that math) while I can? Or just do what I enjoy the most? For some reason this thought hit me a few days ago and it's made my motivation go down a little.
Any thought/advice?
Thanks.

**Maxwell** · Jul17-07, 05:48 PM

Do what you enjoy most. If it's studying 8 hours a day, then by all means, do it.

**Schrodinger's Dog** · Jul17-07, 05:50 PM

Do whatever you're comfortable with, if you can do 8 hours and not feel burnt out or have any negative impact then do it. I have done long study periods sometimes as long as 12 hours, but I generally mix it up with recreation too, so I don't get too burnt out, and I find you can only do so much before you stop absorbing information effectively, but everyone's different, whatever works, works. You'll work out what's best for you by trial and error I'm sure.

**ice109** · Jul17-07, 05:53 PM

this is a philosophical question (is the vitality of youth valuable?) whose answer is unique to you.

**fizziks** · Jul17-07, 05:55 PM

Not to the point where you will isolate yourself socially. There are more important things in life too, like friends and family and having fun while you're still young.

**mathwonk** · Jul17-07, 06:05 PM

make sure you get some exercise. even if your main goal is studying, it helps to be physically healthy and strong, or you cannot even study as much.

remember you have an intellectual self, an emotional self, a spiritual self, and a physical self, and all need to be in harmony, as the mystics put it.

but the old formula says 8 hours of study, 8 hours of sleep, still leaves 8 hours for food, errands, and play.

**ice109** · Jul17-07, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by mathwonk

make sure you get some exercise. even if your main goal is studying, it helps to be physically healthy and strong, or you cannot even study as much.

remember you have an intellectual self, an emotional self, a spiritual self, and a physical self, and all need to be in harmony, as the mystics put it.

but the old formula says 8 hours of study, 8 hours of sleep, still leaves 8 hours for food, errands, and play.

you're forgetting about actual class

**JasonRox** · Jul17-07, 06:33 PM

8 hours is pushing it, in my opinion. During the summer, sure if you don't work. During school, you won't even have time to have a social life. You might not think it's a big deal, but when you may seek a social life it might hit you really hard on how you don't have one and neither do you possess the social skills to get one. What happens after that? My vote is on severe depression.

**ice109** · Jul17-07, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by JasonRox

8 hours is pushing it, in my opinion. During the summer, sure if you don't work. During school, you won't even have time to have a social life. You might not think it's a big deal, but when you may seek a social life it might hit you really hard on how you don't have one and neither do you possess the social skills to get one. What happens after that? My vote is on severe depression.

yea its odd but true that socializing takes practice just like everything else

**JasonRox** · Jul17-07, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by ice109

yea its odd but true that socializing takes practice just like everything else

Yeah, it really does. Of course, I sound harsh about it, but I'm saying what the reality is going to be if you choose to ignore it like some students.

You need a balance like mathwonk said.

**mjsd** · Jul17-07, 07:19 PM

Originally Posted by daniel_i_l

I've found that in the past month or so I've been studying math a lot (more that 8 hours a day). I really like it but am I studying to much? Should I be "playing outside" and enjoying the world (other that math) while I can? Or just do what I enjoy the most? For some reason this thought hit me a few days ago and it's made my motivation go down a little.
Any thought/advice?
Thanks.

try as you might, but eventually you will be burnt out and shall "play outside" anyway. Doing something for too long will cause you to lose interest. especially when you have been stuck on a problem for a few days, and getting frustrated, starting to lose interest, that would be a sign to really take a break.
remember there are always more things to study than there is time available, so like it or not, you shall let your brain to recharge at some point.

**mathwonk** · Jul17-07, 11:58 PM

when i was an undergrd at harvard it was suggeated we spend 8 Hours on class + study, and so on.... but i think it took more study than that. but this was considered normal, not excessive.

**JasonRox** · Jul18-07, 12:03 AM

Originally Posted by mathwonk

when i was an undergrd at harvard it was suggeated we spend 8 Hours on class + study, and so on.... but i think it took more study than that. but this was considered normal, not excessive.

If you spend 8 hours a day studying and going to class, that's pretty normal. That's like having an 8 hour work day.

**mathwonk** · Jul18-07, 12:12 AM

yes, but we thought it optimistic. top students went to the library when it opened and left when it closed.

**mathwonk** · Jul18-07, 12:15 AM

let me remind of one thing: as students we often take pride in how smart we think we are, but in college and professional life, success is measured by how much we work.

**JasonRox** · Jul18-07, 12:46 AM

Originally Posted by mathwonk

let me remind of one thing: as students we often take pride in how smart we think we are, but in college and professional life, success is measured by how much we work.

But remember, that's not true. I have to disagree. That's if you measure success in life as something like how much money you make and how high your grades are and if you're the best student or not.

Remember the famous quote...

"And in the end it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." - Abraham Lincoln

A life working all day isn't much of a life filled with success at all.