When it comes to studying, it is not only important that you have a study schedule ready and that you follow it, that you are constant or that you have created countless study resources to prepare for the exams. In addition, it is key that you lead a healthy lifestyle and that you eat well.
Plan:
Planning is everything! To keep track of all your exams and all the different topics you have to study, be sure to schedule your studies carefully. Take some time to make your own personalized calendar with a clear description of what you are going to study. Allow more time for classes that you find particularly difficult and make sure you also plan some breaks, in order to stay motivated.
Take your time:
Taking breaks when studying is as important as spending time in front of notes and books, you need time to process all that new information. Make the most of your free time, avoiding spending too much time in front of the TV or on social networks like YouTube TV, Instagram, Facebook or twitter. Dedicate it to sleep, eat healthy and exercise.
Sleep:
You need to be well rested and focused to be able to process more agenda. Do not go to sleep too late, especially the day before the exam. Make sure you don’t sleep too much, as taking too many naps could be counterproductive and make you feel more tired.
Eat healthy:
Be sure to have breakfast, mid-morning or snack, lunch, snack and healthy and balanced dinner. It is important to keep the brain energized while studying. Skipping meals has a negative influence on concentration and academic performance.
Do exercise:
Studies show that there is a relationship between exercise and academic success. When you are doing cardio (running, swimming, cycling, etc.), the brain fills with oxygen, making it better prepared to process and retain new information. Even a less dynamic, but also active exercise, such as walking outdoors, will help you make more sense of the information you just learned.
Manage your time:
When it’s time to examine yourself, you have to make sure you use your time wisely. Being focused and organized is the key. Spend the first minutes reading all the questions and planning in which order you will answer them. Resist the temptation to start writing. Start with the question with which you feel most comfortable to increase confidence levels from the beginning; After a good start it is much easier to continue with the most difficult questions. With multiple choice questions, be sure to read all the answers carefully before deciding on an answer. Trick questions or answers that are very similar to each other can easily lead to error. Do not spoil a sure hit for it.
Keep hydrated:
Many of us know that staying hydrated is important for our physical performance, but did you know that it is just as important – and maybe more – for your brain? Dehydration can cause headaches and exhaustion, while drinking water can help increase your brain capacity and improve your memory. Staying hydrated during your exams can help you embroider them, so be sure to take a bottle of water with you to the exam room.
Take a nap in the afternoon:
If you already know that you will stay up all night, try to fall asleep for 20 minutes that afternoon to replenish some energy.
Consume caffeine in small doses:
Having a large cup of coffee at the beginning of your sleepless night will not keep you awake the way you need, since your alert level will drop dramatically after a while. On the contrary, if you consume small but regular amounts of a caffeinated drink you will be able to stay awake and finish your work.
Drink water:
Staying hydrated is essential to avoid falling into the arms of Morpheus. In addition, it will force you to get up to go to the bathroom from time to time, which will help you stay active and awake.
Keep your space well lit:
Illuminate your study space with a strong and bright light “will deceive” your biological clock, as it will make your body believe that it is still day.
Eat fruits:
Many students, at night time, go to junk food, fatty and sugary, as a way to obtain an easy and satisfactory source of energy. Although it is true that the refined sugar present in soft drinks, donuts and cookies will give you a peak of energy, this effect will inevitably be followed by a decay. For this reason, you should choose natural sugars, such as those present in fruits, which will keep your blood sugar level up but in a stable manner.
Do not study in a comfortable place:
If you think you can stay up studying on a warm sofa or curled up with your favorite cushion, you are fooling yourself. The best option is a hard chair, a good lamp and a table devoid of distractions. In this way, you will be less tempted to “rest your eyes for a few minutes.”
Decrease the brightness of the computer:
Set your computer screen to have the lowest possible brightness, so you will prevent your eyes from getting tired too early.