Knowledge

As the Ahl al-bayt (as) have said: 'one hour's reflection is worth seventy years of worship', it is good to get into the practice of reflection: to reflect upon the phenomenon of existence first and foremost, and to strip away all concepts of yourself, your social situation, and just get right back to the fundamentals of you as a human being. What is a human being? What is this planet that has been created in this universe? What is that which has created all of this? What is consciousness and awareness?

There is a part of you that is 'other' than the you who you are in your social and political context. This part of you is detached from all of that, so frequent connection to the part of you that transcends the social and historical you can connect you to who you really are. Frequent reflection on who you really are is a good place to start.

Also, when it comes to challenges in life: reflect upon how you think and thought patterns that you have that may affect how you deal with those challenges.

Also, prepare from now for your journey to the next world. What do you want to do with this opportunity of life that you have been given before you leave? How will you prepare for death?

I hope this helps.

Dedicating yourself to seeking knowledge requires sacrifice for many years. When others are outside in the park on a sunny day, you have to be indoors writing up a paper. I use the 'delayed gratification' technique with myself, where I tell myself that maybe this summer I will not have time to enjoy, but later on inshaAllah I will see the benefits of the work that I put in.

Many people also get work done by concentrating on about two or three things at once. If you are studying a subject that you have to, but are not deeply interested in, then you can alternate studying it with turning your attention to another book, or another lecture. Even if you are interested in it, you may want to study it alongside something else.

It's important to get up, walk around, get enough exercise. The life of study is not always healthy.

It is very important to have a quiet space to work. You have to be disciplined about not engaging with calls, messages and texts. Set yourself a goal, or a deadline of what you want to achieve when, and sit down to do it. This is a world where people today expect instant responses to their messages, and if you want to get work done, it's just not possible to do that. Over time they will understand that you are working on something.

Try to avoid emotional drama. Being upset or distracted is not good for study. Do not watch anything dramatic late at night. That will upset your sleep for the next day.

Have one or two people that are doing the same as you that you CAN communicate with - your peers. This will encourage you to keep on working.

Reward yourself for engaging in a long period of study. For example, after one month of intensive study, take a break somewhere, or go somewhere to walk. Give yourself breathing space, before making your firm intention to return again to the work.

Praying for your success.