By Danae Phillips, Former LA District Teen Bible Quizzer
I’ve been around quizzing virtually my entire life, and the most common problem I see with my fellow quizzers is mid-season burnout. For some reason, after all the holidays, quizzers start to drop out one by one. And for those of us who don’t drop out completely, mostly our averages drop because we don’t study as much.
If I were to ask all the quizzers who experienced the infamous burnout what happened, I imagine the majority of them would say either, “I don’t have the time anymore!” or, “I got bored.” If you really want to be involved in this program and excel in it, then you need to do something about this burnout. There’s only so much your coach can do for you!
If I were to ask all the quizzers who experienced the infamous burnout what happened, I imagine the majority of them would say either, “I don’t have the time anymore!” or, “I got bored.” If you really want to be involved in this program and excel in it, then you need to do something about this burnout. There’s only so much your coach can do for you!
Here are 3 simple ideas to keep you going:
1. Change your study technique
1. Change your study technique
So you’ve had this technique that’s worked for you all year! But suddenly, you find yourself zoning out or checking Instagram. The solution? Find other ways to study! I know, it seems obvious. But you’d be surprised how many times this concept has slipped people’s minds, myself included. Put away the phone and study. The Bible is more important than that cute guy at church or that new video game you just bought. I promise they’ll still be there when you finish.
If you’ve been reading the scripture every day straight through, maybe try the double-repetition technique. Or learn a few short memory verses. Get a family member or ask yourself some questions. Listen to the passage while reading it. Just do something different.
When one of my teammates told my dad about his lack of motivation to study, my dad suggested that he should deny himself some of his favorite things until he met his study goal. He should say to himself, “I will not eat this candy bar unless I study for 15 minutes straight. And if I don’t, I have to give it to my brother.” This, of course, inspired him study. (I’d like to imagine it was because he wanted the chocolate, but I don’t think that’s the whole story.) So tell yourself that you will not watch the new episode of your favorite show or play Halo until you finish studying. If you fail you must try again tomorrow and watch your sibling eat your candy.
If you’ve been reading the scripture every day straight through, maybe try the double-repetition technique. Or learn a few short memory verses. Get a family member or ask yourself some questions. Listen to the passage while reading it. Just do something different.
When one of my teammates told my dad about his lack of motivation to study, my dad suggested that he should deny himself some of his favorite things until he met his study goal. He should say to himself, “I will not eat this candy bar unless I study for 15 minutes straight. And if I don’t, I have to give it to my brother.” This, of course, inspired him study. (I’d like to imagine it was because he wanted the chocolate, but I don’t think that’s the whole story.) So tell yourself that you will not watch the new episode of your favorite show or play Halo until you finish studying. If you fail you must try again tomorrow and watch your sibling eat your candy.
2. Go on a quizzing-related trip
Just like how businesses send some employees on retreats to build trust and teamwork, or to re-ignite a spark for their job, you or your team may need a little fun trip to get that passion stirring again. Make a weekend out of it!
There is a fun quiz every October in Louisville, KY where any church can go and - trust me - it’s a blast. Plus you get to stay in a hotel. And that’s one of the reasons you quiz, right?
But if it’s too late for that, contact a nearby district and ask if your team can join the next quiz. More than likely, they will be willing to accept you. Or spend the weekend at someone’s house and play some fun quizzing games.
There is a fun quiz every October in Louisville, KY where any church can go and - trust me - it’s a blast. Plus you get to stay in a hotel. And that’s one of the reasons you quiz, right?
But if it’s too late for that, contact a nearby district and ask if your team can join the next quiz. More than likely, they will be willing to accept you. Or spend the weekend at someone’s house and play some fun quizzing games.
3. Remember why you started
My volleyball coach told our team when we were beginning to lose our infatuation for the sport: “You obviously started doing this for a reason. Whether you started because it was a way to be active, because you saw a game one day and thought it looked fun, or you saw someone you admire play and you decided you wanted to be just like her so you joined a team. I don’t care. You started for a reason. Relive what inspired you and if you don’t come to practice tomorrow with the same passion as the first practice, you’re wasting your time.”
That has stuck with me since then and I’ve applied it to pretty much everything. I started volleyball so I could meet new people since I had just moved to the area. I started quizzing because I saw how much fun the teenagers I admired were having and I wanted to join in the fun.
Maybe you started because you saw a video or heard a friend talk about it. Or maybe your mom talked you into it – or bribed you. Or maybe it was because the cute girl from the church across town quizzed. Whatever it was, relive the moment that made you decide to quiz. Watch the video, talk to your friend. Ask your parents why they thought it was important that you do this. Find the inspiration. Find the spark. Do everything you can to keep from missing a quiz meet. And keep studying!
That has stuck with me since then and I’ve applied it to pretty much everything. I started volleyball so I could meet new people since I had just moved to the area. I started quizzing because I saw how much fun the teenagers I admired were having and I wanted to join in the fun.
Maybe you started because you saw a video or heard a friend talk about it. Or maybe your mom talked you into it – or bribed you. Or maybe it was because the cute girl from the church across town quizzed. Whatever it was, relive the moment that made you decide to quiz. Watch the video, talk to your friend. Ask your parents why they thought it was important that you do this. Find the inspiration. Find the spark. Do everything you can to keep from missing a quiz meet. And keep studying!
About Danae Phillips
While currently studying Psychology at LSU, Danae previously quizzed on the Mississippi and Louisiana districts and represented each of them as a member of their Regional All-Star teams. She enjoys playing volleyball, loved being home-schooled, and once filmed a movie scene with Tom Hiddleston.
While currently studying Psychology at LSU, Danae previously quizzed on the Mississippi and Louisiana districts and represented each of them as a member of their Regional All-Star teams. She enjoys playing volleyball, loved being home-schooled, and once filmed a movie scene with Tom Hiddleston.
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