The Best Study Tips: Give Yourself A Break

I was never much of a consistent studier in school–I seemed to always like to save the studying until the last minute and then do a blitz session right before the big test moment. It worked for me, but everyone has their own tactics. If I had to list my absolute best study tip it would be this:

Take regular breaks. I know, it sounds counterintuitive. You have papers due, exams coming up, presentations to make (eek!), plus class, plus studying. It may feel like the only way to get everything done is to cut back on leisure time, but that’s simply not the case. Your brain needs time to rest, and you’ll actually accomplish more if you work less.

The Strategy: For every 45 minutes of work, take a 15 minute break. Get up, walk around, talk to people, watch TV, eat something, walk outside–whatever, just get away from your desk, your books and the computer.

This is a little of a mind trick–if you sit down at your desk and think “I’m going to study all night long” your mind will rebel, and you will have trouble concentrating. But, if you know in your head that you will be rewarded with a break in 45 minutes, your mind will kick into high gear because it sees the finish line in sight.

In addition to taking regular breaks during study time, it is also essential to take a day off once a week. That’s one 24 hour period of time when your brain can relax and have fun.

After a break or a day off, you will come back to your work with fresh eyes, and you’ll find learning so much easier. It also helps when you go to take your tests–you will show up refreshed and energized, which beats stumbling in unshaven with wrinkly clothes and a frazzled look on your face after pulling an all-nighter .