Hi all! I hope you're having an amazing day! I know a lot of my readers are going into finals week, so I first want to say good luck.
I have realized that over the last three years of college (wow that's scary) I have really developed strong study habits, and I wanted to create a list of tips of the most beneficial things I do when studying.
I hope you enjoy the read, and get the chance to put them to practice this week!
1. Use a Timer
Don't lock yourself up for an entire day without a plan of action. Set your phone timer for the length of the exam and study for that amount of time, then take a break. This will train your brain to focus for that amount of time, and it will make a day of studying seem less daunting as your break it up.
2. Practice the Way You Perform
This is so important you guys. Mimic your exam situation when you're studying. If you are going to wear sweatpants for the exam, study in sweatpants. If you are supposed to use a certain calculator on the exam, USE that calculator when you're studying, not your phone or something else. Wear the same perfume - make your whole study setting consistent with the test day.
3. Take Exercise Breaks
For me, I use OrangeTheory as a way to escape studying for an hour and it keeps my mind off of the work really well. However, even if you're not into working out, this tip is extremely useful. When I was studying for I-Core, my favorite thing to do was take walking breaks. Going for a long walk around the block or even just the building will increase your productivity when you come back to it.
4. Get Organized Before You Start
The most important thing about studying is using your time wisely, especially during finals week when you need to spend time on more than one subject. The easiest way to ensure your time is spent well is get prepared before you start studying. Print EVERYTHING out before you start, staple it, and have it organized by subject before you sit down where you're studying, so you don't waste time running back and forth to the printer.
5. Chew Gum
People always say this, but mint gum actually does help you focus. Along with tip number two, make sure that if you're chewing gum when you study, you're also doing it during the exam. If you really don't like mints or chewing gum, try some peppermint essential oil on your wrists or temples.
6. Put Your Phone Away
The truth is this, you are just not as productive with your phone on the table. You're not as productive even if its flipped over and you can't see what is popping up on it. It is our generations largest blessing and most difficult curse to have our lives in a tiny device. If you're really trying to study, zip it up in your backpack or charge it across the room, so that you can be fully present in your studying.
7. Ask For Help
The worst thing you can do is wait until its too late to figure something out. I have, from experience, had this come back and bite me. If you don't understand something early in the semester, its obviously best to ask then, but if you're already past that, ensure you have a plan for getting help before your exam. Set up a meeting with a tutor or a classmate to learn what you are missing as soon as possible. You will waste so much time trying to figure things out on your own if you didn't already understand it, so don't be prideful and ask someone for help!
8. Finish Studying the Day Before
This might just be the best tip I can give you. Don't wake up early on the day of the exam and try to cram. It might seem like a good idea when you're tired of studying the night before, but if you are in a panic on exam day, it won't end up playing out well for you. The morning of an exam should be relaxing and comfortable, not a rush. Free your mind of the stress by getting the work done the night before!
Thank you for reading, you guys!
I will keep posting as we head into summer - who is excited? If you don't already know, I will be NYC based this summer so expect some exciting new content from the City. Peace and blessings everyone!
Check out my Instagram for more: @just.emma.joy
xo,
No comments
Post a Comment