Have you found yourself alternately rejoicing in how close we are to summer vacation and dreading the certain stress that is sure to accompany the end of the year? These four tips have been proven and then published by SUNY to help get you through the last few weeks of the semester and survive finals while still staying sane.
1. Avoid cramming. Studying in intervals no less than 20 minutes or more than 50, with five to ten minute breaks in between, has been demonstrated to not only save you the headache of trying to learn an entire semester’s content the night before the exam, but also to boost retention in the long run.
2. Take a cardio break. A minimum of 20 minutes of cardio has shown to improve memory, increase energy levels and alertness and decrease stress levels by releasing endorphins.
3. Switch up where you study. We all have our favorite study spots, but simply changing up where you spend your time studying can have a positive effect on retention. The brain creates “subtle” connections between the information it is taking in and the other perceptions it senses simultaneously in the background- so the more variety you have in your study spaces, the better.
4. Limit your study playlist to instrumental music. Having music playing while studying is a popular option and may help keep you on track—or have the opposite effect. Music with lyrics is more likely to be distracting and hinder the brain’s ability to later recall information than instrumental tracks.
This easy-to-implement advice involves minimal interruption of your schedule and can allow you to prepare for your tests as much as possible and still minimize stress. Keep calm and finish the year strong, collegiette!