adapt whatever you're trying to learn into a song

That would produce some truly horrible singles.

I'm talking about #8 on the charts, tops.

Already tried out a good old game?
While it isn't much compared to games, all computer systems existing still have a big share of educational stuff about almost anything.
If I'd want to learn something about the Oregon Trail, I'd buy the same named game for the C64 or Apple II and play it, for example.
Fucking Magnets, How Do They Work?

I would like to be able to tell you that there is some wonderful magic way to turn the work of learning information that is not personally interesting into an easier task but there isn't.

Learning is work. The work comes easy when it is interesting and therefore fun. It does not come so easy when it is not of personal interest and simply feels like work.

There are no shortcuts to applying yourself and working hard to learn whatever it is you are tasked to learn. Expect learning to be hard work and enjoy it when the work is work you love. Suffer it and work hard anyway when it is not if it is something you need to know.

I don't expect to win any prizes with that but I am being very honest with you.

Learn in short ten minute to hour bursts at least first. Also, if you're talking about college or high school then I recommend not trying to cram but studying over a long period of time. I'm way too lazy to cram that much but by learning things a small bit at time can make it more pleasant and less stress inducing.

Nothing wrong with mind wandering to a degree, or even try to use that mind wandering to your advantage by trying to have whatever you're learning relate in your head to stuff you find fun like GOG games. Also, if you like humor try to make jokes even if only you old get them about what you're learning, it helps make it more interesting. (For instance, back when I took an art history course in college, I helped myself learn the name of a painting and the artist by comparing it to pro wrestling.) If you want to listen to music and trying to learn verbal information I recommend to listen to music with no singing. At least for me, when I'm hearing two kinds of verbal information at the same time it confuses me. You may also want to try to think of how you can make what you're learning interesting to rant about to others. That way, it is helping you to make a summary in your head of the information while making it more fun.

I would also try to limit any time you're learning tons of information and not even having fun but just wasting time. Examples of this can be watching tons of TV especially with the advertising. I think even if you're just watching it absentmindedly some of the info is going to take room in your head. I think the key is in a sense to try to make it so even the fun stuff in life is more meaningful. Like instead of watching tons of tv just watch the shows you enjoy most. If you want to do something that doesn't require much thought try things like walking or enjoying food that allow the brain to relax from all the information we are exposed to everyday. I think in a strong sense learning something always means not learning something else. We aren't immortal, thus stick to what is truly fun, necessary, or helps others I think when learning stuff.

Youtube can also probably help a lot if reading can get boring to you. there are generally tons of useful videos online to start with. Also, wikipedia is generally a good starting point.

Also, worse by the worse and it is still boring after all this time. Just learn the stuff every night before going to bed that way the boringness of it will help you go to sleep.

To answer the OP's question, study days before tests. Preferably longer each night/afternoon that's closer than your test time. Don't let your intrests takeover. Make a plan. Lastly, just put in some effort and stop being lazy if you are. Oh yeah, take frequent breaks to cool your mind. Also, take a break that involves your intrests. Hope that helps.

Well said, just he needs to work hard.

Yeah, but it's not possible on university, well, at least good university :P Most of the times, when you don't study at all, you end up with juicy red F :P

School is inherently boring, and good grades are achieved through two main paths.

1. Be smart enough to get them with minimal effort.
2. Be disciplined enough to work to get them.

Seriously. There's no trick to it, there's just a lot of reading. And thinking. And not giving up. You always learn the best when things aren't going smoothly, if you are prepared to discover and correct your mistakes.

I assume you're just not motivated, of course. If you're having other problems learning (such as learning disabilities), I suggest you consult someone more professional than an online gaming forum...

Nevermind ignore this post.

Years through the education system has taught me otherwise.

You can learn something that you have no interest in.

Why, just the other week, I learned CSS in a fair deal of depth even though I believe it's a piece of garbage that needs to be redesigned from scratch (some good ideas, but god awful implementation).

Anyways, my suggestion to the poster:

1) Do a lot of aerobic exercise (like running). Pant up energy won't play in your favor.

2) If it's school and you're angry, pick something that you can hit on, hit it hard with a baseball bat and imagine it's the kneecaps of whoever decided that learning what you are learning should be mandatory. It will help canalize your anger and ensure you're not too angry while you're trying to learn.

3) I'm assuming you're learning what you are learning because it will lead to a goal that you covet (even if that link is just paperwork that says that you learned it). Well, keep that goal firmly in mind.

4) Take frequent breaks from your learning. If you have something else that's productive that you can do and that you prefer, do it during those breaks. Otherwise, play a game or something (but be sure to use a timer).

5) Listen to music (something that doesn't draw too much attention to itself, but that is soothing in the background). It will help to ease the pain.

6) It's not mandatory, but having a gf or a pet (like a cat) that you can hug helps.

7) Make sure you get a proper nights' sleep before and after you learn. You will learn faster that way and internalize it better.