Hey there, PC Collegiettes™! November is officially behind us, and we’re rested and rejuvenated from a little turkey and time with the family. You know what that means, right? It means the return of reality, in the form of final exams. Nobody likes studying for finals, especially since most of us have to give up on sleeping in order to fit in all of our work. So to make everyone’s lives a little easier, I’m going to share some tips with you guys on the best ways to study, especially if you have to stay up late to do it.
1. Water > Red Bull
Whenever I’m studying, my first instinct is to break out the Diet Cokes and the Red Bulls. The more caffeine and energy drinks I consume, the better my chances are of staying awake and focused for all my studying. Turns out sugary sodas and energy drinks are your worst enemies when you need to stay up late. They dehydrate your body, and when we get dehydrated, we get really sleepy. So if you want to stay awake and focused while you study, make sure to stock your fridge full of water.
2. An Apple a Day…
We’ve all heard the saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” but apples are good for keeping more at bay than just the doctor. Snacking while you study is important because it’ll keep your blood sugar up and keep you from getting too tired. But instead of snacking on junk food, which will just cause you to crash later, try an apple. Apples will keep your blood sugar level, as well as keep you awake. Some people even say that apples are better for keeping you awake than caffeine. As a hard-core Diet Coke addict, I’m not sure I believe that, but I’m willing to give it a shot.
3. Get Off the Couch
I’ve developed the terrible habit of doing my homework while sitting on my comfy couch, or while lying spread out on my bed. Do not follow my example, ladies. Studying in a super comfortable place is a great way to ensure that you’ll lose focus or fall asleep while you work. Instead, try finding a study space with chairs and tables for you to work at, and bright lighting to keep you awake while you work.
4. Get Off Your Butt
I am not a proponent of exercise. It’s great for those of you who actually enjoy working out, but my fitness regime consists of reaching for my remote and a bag of popcorn. However, I make an exception when it comes to studying to finals. As counterintuitive as it sounds, exercise is a good way to keep yourself alert and awake. If you’ve got too much work for a full-scale session at the gym, you can take an exercise break to dance around to your iPod, or do some quick push-ups. Anything to get your blood moving will send a rush of adrenaline through your system, which will make studying seem like much less of a chore.
5. Schedule Some Chill Time
No matter how good your intentions are, it’s impossible to study for hours on end without getting distracted. One minute, you’re looking up the important dates for the French Revolution, and the next minute, you’re in the middle of a serious game of Words With Friends on Facebook. To keep yourself from getting distracted, block out some time to just chill. Whether it’s 5 minutes or an hour, make sure you take some time out of your busy study schedule to read a book, listen to music, or hang out with your friends. Taking breaks while studying also makes it easier for your brain to retain the information you’re studying.
No matter what way you look at it, finals week is always tough, because there’s a ton of work to do, and everyone just wants to go home. But if you follow some of this advice, finals will fly by with as little stress as possible, and before you know it, you’ll be back in your bed at home with a mug of hot chocolate and some Christmas carols playing in the background. Good luck on finals, Collegiettes™. The sooner we get these over with, the sooner we can start enjoying our holidays!
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Providence chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.