I’m studying my ass off and it still feels not enough. Probably because I just finished studying for N5 and I just crossed to N4 level that’s why I feel so overwhelmed. But there are just so many new verbs that are so similar to each other and it’s really confusing. I feel like I’m not absorbing anything.
I study 4-5 hours everyday. I’m using MNN, flash cards, and I take mock tests everyday. But somehow, I just feel dumber everyday and like as if I’m not improving at all. Apologies if this sounds so whiny. I guess I’m just feeling really pressured in passing this exam.
Any other study tips that you can suggest? I will really appreciate it.
5 comments
take a break sometimes, don’t overwork yourself. don’t ask too much of yourself in such a short time. there’s no reason to take mock tests every day, that’s just disheartening. take them every two weeks or once a month and you’ll actually notice your progress.
you have years and years of studies ahead of you, don’t take that as a demand to do more but as a permission to take it a bit slower sometimes to give your brain time to adjust and internalize.
Unless your ultimate goal is to pass N4, I would strongly discourage you from studying specifically for the test. Also, you should be patient and not expect results soon because it only leads to frustration and disappointment. If you are studying hard and your methods are good, you will eventually reach N2-N1 without problems. Just focus on the process rather than results.
If you’re already feeling like this starting N4, you gotta make this more about using Japanese as a tool, rather than it being the goal in and of itself. Don’t treat it like like you’re cramming for a test everyday. Forget the N4. Develop a habit of going through at least 1 episode of a show (or a chapter or 2 of a manga or something else, whatever you enjoy) Everyday. Add the words you see through that, enjoy the process as much as you can, and passing the N4 and higher will just be a natural consequence of getting better at understanding the things you enjoy.
To begin with, it’s better not to confuse learning hours with learning days. It’s especially important for early stages, because beginners can learn almost from anything they do. For example, N5 requires around 800 words and it’s only around 800/60=13.3 hours in Anki (1 minute/word), but at the same time if we use some reasonable number like 15 words/day, then it’s already 54 days. And 2-3 months is much closer to how much time it takes to learn N5.
You have problems with memorization simply because you try to learn too much. 4-5 hours is overkill at your current stage. Reduce it to 1-2 hours and you will notice how much smoother it goes without changing your learning tempo.
N4 was mentally exhausting, I didn’t see any progress talking to my wife’s family. It wasn’t any easier to go to the doctor, watch movies, or small talk with a stranger. But then around N3 things started to feel like I was making leaps and bounds, and my progress was compounding. It’s okay to be whiny, but don’t quit. You’re likely close to the top of (one of many) hills.
At some point, like a lot of skills, your progress will stop being so linear or incremental. It will get harder to link your actions to your outcomes.
Right when you hit this stage of learning, it can feel disheartening. You’re putting effort in but don’t notice any changes. It’s very easy to burn out here, but don’t give up.
If you have to just review without adding any new content, do it. Tread water. If you go to a class then just think about showing up. Don’t be concerned about finding that one lever you can pull that will give you the feedback you seek. The feedback may just not be there.
All you have to do right now is go through the motions, even if that’s sometimes no new vocab that day.