It’s that dreaded time of the semester: Finals week. You traveled the seas on spring break, enjoyed nights at the plaza, and you survived spring weekend. Now it’s back to reality and your teachers are piling loads of information that they “supposedly” taught throughout the semester. So I guess it’s time to get on that study grind, right?
Everyone has their own way of studying that works, but some people might just be acting on the common beliefs of college students and their study habits. There are many myths about studying on a college level, but do they really work or are they just a plain myth? Let’s find out to help improve your final grades!
MYTH or NOT: Do pulling all-nighter’s help increase your test score?
- It’s a MYTH. You might think sacrificing sleep to study is productive, but studies show that a well-rested person actually retains more information on the given day of a test. If you pull an all-nighter, your brain activation patterns perform worse on complex cognitive tasks when compared to rested participants. So space out your studying and get some rest!
Myth or NOT: Do peppermints help enhance memory?
- NOT a myth, this is actually true. Peppermints have been proven to help enhance memory. Many teachers give or suggest their students to suck on a peppermint 15 minutes prior to their test time, so it begins to exercise their memory.
MYTH or NOT: Does scent play a role when it comes to memory?
- NOT a myth. Out of your 5 senses, scent is the most closely tied with your memory in the brain. For example, study while wearing a certain perfume, and when you go and actually take the test, wear the same perfume and it should trigger your memory from when you were studying.
MTYH or NOT: Cramming will improve my chances on a test.
- It’s a MYTH. We’ve all done it. You only have a few hours before your exam, so you decide to cram all of the lessons, vocabulary, and practice problems into those few hours you have left. By cramming, it’s harder to retain the information you just learned and this actually makes your brain tired, which may cause you to forget all of the information.
MYTH or NOT: Does listening to classical music help you study?
- NOT a myth. Classical music can help promote concentration and focus, but it will not increase your general IQ. Mozart has been the classical musician most associated with improving your studying. So if the silence is killing you next time your studying, listen to some classic Mozart.
These “myths” about studying have been around for a while, so I hope it helped clarify your questions. Remember to get a lot of sleep, listen to some classical music, and buy a pack of peppermints for the next week.
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR FINALS EVERYONE!