With exam season approaching, this is undoubtedly the most stressful time of the year with your future hinging on your results. However, there is a way to get through study season without losing your mind. Rather than staring blankly at a book until the early hours of the morning hoping you will somehow absorb its contents, check out our top study tips and be the envy of all your fellow students.
1. Make a Timetable
It is very easy to feel like you have to spend every waking second of your day studying when exams are looming. Fortunately, this is not the case. There is only so much your brain can take in one day and no-one has the attention span to study intensely for 12 hours straight. A much better idea is to create a study timetable starting at 9 each day and ending at 5. Separate your time in blocks of 1-2 hours and make sure you include breaks.
2. Reward Yourself
If you have spent 2 hours solidly studying without pacing around the room, making a snack or scrolling through Facebook then reward yourself with a 20-minute break. During this time you can have a piece of cake, FaceTime a friend for a bit or just lie down and stare at the ceiling. The choice is yours – you earned it.
3. Get Some Exercise
It has been scientifically proven that if you mix up which bits of the brain you use regularly it can strengthen each part. This means if you study for a couple of hours and then go for a jog you will find it easier to study efficiently when you come back. It is also just good for your general health to take a break from being cooped up in your room reading and get some fresh air.
4. Turn Off Your Phone
Nothing is more distracting that the glow of a mobile phone as it lights up to alert you that someone is trying to contact you about something inevitably more interesting than your pile of revision notes. Unfortunately, once you’ve checked the message and replied to it, your brain has switched from study to social mode and you’ll have to spend valuable minutes re-focusing on your work. Switch your phone off while you study and you’ll find it infinitely easier to maintain your concentration.
5. Sleep
No-one has ever learned anything when they are severely sleep-deprived. Getting a good night’s sleep is essential if you want to be able to work to your full capacity. Being exhausted will put you in a bad mood, lower your concentration and deteriorate your health. If need be set yourself a bedtime each night and stick to it religiously. Your body will thank you!
