Syllabus week…check. Homecoming…over. Parent’s weekend…done. Midterms…see ya. But what about all of that post-fall break work that you’ve been putting off? HELP!
Here are some basic do’s and don’ts you can follow, to make the rest of the semester’s work seem like a breeze. (How many more days ‘til Thanksgiving??)
Do: Sleep. Get a reasonable and consistent amount of sleep each night in order to clear out mental clutter and unimportant thoughts. Tests are designed to make you think. If you are sleep-deprived, you won’t be able to remember any of the information you worked so hard to cram into your brain. That saying about getting your “beauty sleep” isn’t just a cliché. So get your solid 6 or 7 hours the night before an exam and look smashingly fabulous while taking it!
Don’t: Overload on stimulants. It may seem that Adderall, Ritalin and other stimulants maximize your productivity quickly, conveniently, and without consequences. However, these neuro-enhancing drugs can actually be addictive, and may cause heart and blood pressure problems in the future. Using them casually can lead to terrible side effects such as addiction, and psychosis…and the long term effects of these drugs on people without a prescription (which is illegal, by the way!) remain mostly unknown. Scary, right?? (60 Minutes, CBS). ß link if you can
Do: Eat healthy. Your diet is critical. Your body needs to be nourished to function at its full capacity. We all know the essentials of a healthy diet, but if you’re looking for something new to try, snack on some almonds. The omega-3s in nuts help keep stress hormones such as cortisol in check, says Bernadette Latson, R.D., a nutritionist in Dallas. And don’t forget breakfast! Oatmeal boosts the calming brain chemical serotonin, and oranges contain the vitamin C which is proven to counter stress hormones.
Don’t: Procrastinate. Sometimes the hardest part can be just getting started. Make a study schedule instead. Estimate about how much time it is going to take to complete each assignment and realistically try to block out the day by the hour. Even schedule in eating and exercise times as well!
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Do: Select a proper atmosphere for studying. Clearly define what is “study time” and what isn’t. It will help train your mind when it can be passive and when it needs to be active and focused, like on a huge test. Defining studying time will also help reduce the stress of the exam because your mind already gets the routine. Having books out in front of you while checking Facebook, or watching the new episode of Revenge only extends the total time each task should take, and diminishes the joy you get from those activities in the first place.
Do: Take breaks (and reward yourself!) Exercise is a great way to break the monotony of studying while providing an outlet to reflect on what you are learning without being bombarded by facts. If you know that you are going to be studying for hours at a time, try to get a good hard work-out in before starting your studies. Get up for breaks to stretch your legs, and get the blood flowing every hour or so!
Don’t: Turn on the TV. Watching television is a major agent in the rotting process of brain cells. It slows the brain cells, and causes a decline in brain fitness. Watching Carrie and Miranda sip yet another Cosmo is not worth the loss of time in which you could be studying, sleeping, or even exercising.
Do phone home. According to Leslie J. Seltzer, Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin, hearing the supportive, familiar voice of Mom (or your BFF!) incites the brain to release oxytocin, a stress-fighting, mood-elevating hormone.
So apply these do’s and don’ts to your daily routine and the rest of the semester will be a piece of cake. Oh, and I almost forgot…
May the odds be ever in your favor.
*Article by Holly Thayer