How can creative thinking support your work?
Creative problem-solving and innovative thinking not only improve grades. They also deepen your understanding, broaden your mind, increase your employability – and make study more interesting.
Anybody can nurture creativity, so don’t worry if you didn’t get good grades for art at school!
Be open to playing with ideas, thinking ‘what if …?’
If you don’t have a creative outlet, make time for playful and imaginative thought. Nurture a creative mindset: begin by developing the habits below.
Focus on the intrinsic interest and enjoyment of creativity. Let the process lead you, rather than narrowing in on particular outcomes.
Walk with your thoughts
Focus on the environment around you the next time you are outdoors. What do you see, smell, hear or feel?
Research shows that walking outside (not on a treadmill indoors!) helps ideas to flow.
Nature can help you feel more relaxed, having calming effects on our mind and body. You might walk away feeling clearer in a decision, thought or idea after taking a walk with nature.
Fire your imagination
Gain mental stimulus by engaging in different ways of thinking. It can help you think with more originality and purpose. For instance, when was the last time that you:
- Spoke to somebody new?
- Visited an art gallery or science exhibition?
- Read an interesting book?
Have a think about why this is important, and what you can you learn from these experiences.
Have a go!
Pick a new activity or hobby to explore, and see how it changes your perspectives.
Your experiences help inform the ideas that you create. So why not try out something you haven’t done before? For instance, explore how you feel listening to or playing music, performing, making things, working things out (even if you aren’t ‘good’ at it).
Be playful with ideas
Have a go at tasks which require you to think creatively, much like you would expect when solving puzzles or playing a game.
Set yourself problems to solve, even ones that seem impractical. Watch where it takes your thinking. You might find new ideas arise through the way you solve the problems.
Generate ideas using Nurture your creativity to help you.
Capture ideas as they occur
… in notebooks, on your phone, by recording them using audio or video.
That way, you can easily refer to them when you sit down to study – and not lose the passing thought!
Can you think of any other ways to explore your creativity?
Engage in creativity by writing down which suggestion you will use above. Practise, give it time, and see where it takes you.
More from Bloomsbury
Looking for more bite-sized tips?
Try reading Stella Cottrell's 50 Ways to Boost Your Grades to find out more!
Mental wellbeing
If you feel you need support for your wellbeing, try:
- Samaritans who are available 24/7 for confidential, non-judgemental support
- Mind which provides information and advice about mental health
