It’s the end of Week 10, and time to hit the books! Finals are approaching, whether we like it or not. Having had a six month break since our last finals week, we may be feeling a little more frazzled than usual. If you need a little refresher on how to get your work done while staying healthy, follow these 10 tips.
Get in the zone
Naturally, we think of studying for hours on end as a daunting task. As a result, this causes us to get distracted or not work as hard as we should. If this happens, take a mental break in order to center yourself. Whether it’s getting in a little workout or just a simple breathing exercise, find a way to leave distracting thoughts behind so you can focus on your work.
Make a schedule and stick to it!
Studying can often be like a chore that you do your best to put off. If you schedule study time like you schedule your classes, it will feel more like a part of a routine. Write down when and where you will study, and also make time for eating and sleeping. This will allow you to pace yourself maintain a sense of balance, instead of cramming right before your test.
Do a mental checklist when leaving the house
With so much on your mind nowadays, it’s easy to become forgetful. Before leaving your house to go study somewhere else, make sure you have your essentials. To avoid having to keep tracking of a million things, only take the essentials. If you don’t absolutely need your computer to study, consider leaving it at home. Besides, computers offer so many distractions; if you don’t have access to it, you might be more productive.
Change up your study scene
Find a place that is conducive to concentrating. Stay away from loud or busy spots, especially if you naturally like to people watch! Sometimes we feel most comfortable at home but are more vulnerable to distractions like our housemates, pets, TV or neighbors. A bookstore, library or study lounge might be your best bet.
Bring good snacks that are good for you
Fruits and veggies make for great snacks, because they’ll give you the energy you need without stuffing your body with unhealthy fats or sugars. Nuts and seeds are also filling, energy-packed snacks that will provide you with protein and other nutrients your body needs. If you have a sweet tooth, try to find a natural substitute so that when you’re munching for hours on end, you’re not doing harm to your body.
Take a walk
We don’t often think about the effect studying has on our bodies, but sitting down for a long time will leave you tense. Fresh air and movement will get your blood flowing and help you feel more comfortable. Try setting objectives during your study sessions, and once you accomplish them, take your break and then return to your work with a fresh eye and a clear mind.
Balance your meals
With all this studying, you need to eat! Make a balanced breakfast to start the day off right, and try to think ahead about what you’ll be eating for lunch and dinner.
Don’t procrastinate
Instead of staying up until 4 am for the next week, get your studying work done during the day so you have time to sleep. If you’re the type of person who is easily distracted by your social media news feeds, try downloading an app on your computer that will help you keep track of the time your spending on them to stay diligent about time management. Here are a couple of good apps:
SelfControl: This app blocks all sites you input on its blacklist. That way, when you try to procrastinate, the app will reject the website, and you’ll be forced to go back to your study guide.
BreakTime: This one allows you to schedule breaks on your computer, phone or iPad. It notifies you both when it’s time for a break and when it’s time to get back to studying.
Sleep
We all love and need our sleep. Research has suggested that when you sleep, everything you studied that day will be transferred from your short-term memory to your long-term memory, ultimately allowing you to recall the information more easily later on.
Do it your way
We all have our own study habits, so figure out what works for you. Don’t compare yourself to others, because everyone learns in different ways. In the end, it’s all about you.
Good luck, Aggies!