With the midterm season fast approaching, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and like you don’t have enough time in the world to study! With so much content to cover, taking study breaks seems like it just ends up being a waste of time of scrolling through Instagram for 20 minutes. Luckily, study breaks can also be productive to give your brain a break so that you can study more efficiently later! Good luck Colligettes!
1. Try the 30:5 rule.
Spend 30 minutes completely focused without allowing yourself to check your phone, talk to people or get up to use the washroom. After every 30 minutes, take 5 minutes (remember to time it!) to do whatever you want. Let it be, for example, checking what new on Snapchat, go to the bathroom or take a short walk. When the 5 minutes is over, make sure all distractions are put away and repeat!
2. Study with people.
While studying with friends seems like it can be distracting, making sure that you’re all being productive can actually make you study harder because people are holding you accountable. If you all follow the 30:5 rule, then you guys can talk all you want in the break to give yourselves some much-needed brain breaks.
3. Stay hydrated!
Water helps the brain!! Make sure to take time while you’re studying to sip on some water.
4. Food is your friend.
Your body needs food to function while you’re studying. While taking a break, make sure to have snacks available so that while your brain is taking a rest, its also getting recharged with nutrients!
5. Go for a walk
Studying can be especially difficult if you get stuck on a question, can’t understand a concept or a simply burnt out. Getting some fresh air can help burst through that bubble in order to keep on studying!