10. EAT WELL
Now isn’t the time to skip a meal, no matter how many other things you have to do. Better nutrition equals better brain power. Can’t afford to buy anything but ramen and Easy Mac? We’ll bet mom and dad will take pity and send some cash your way.
9. GET ENOUGH SLEEP
Obviously, this is not always possible, but if you can, try to get the recommended eight hours a night. If you can’t, try to get at least 20 minutes to half an hour of a nap during the day for a quick recharge. Some studies show that when you sleep, your brain continues to work on problems you didn’t quite understand while you were awake.
8. STUDY RIGHT
If you’re cramming, try to use note cards, mnemonic devices, or ask a friend or roommate to humor you and listen while you explain what you’ve learned – they won’t care, but you’ll see the difference on the test the next day. If you’re writing a paper, make an outline. Also, study buddies are a great way to take some stress off, review content and put things in perspective. Just make sure you actually study.
7. LAY OFF THE BOTTLE
Getting drunk or otherwise intoxicated isn’t usually helpful to one’s concentration, and it’s especially damaging to your ability to retain information. We’re not passing judgement or advocating abstinence (there will be no pots calling kettles black on this Opinion desk), but it’s much easier to conjugate a transitive verb or solve a calculus equation when you’re not distracted by your hangover.
6. EXERCISE
Staying holed up inside for two weeks straight is not the way to keep your brain functioning. After you’ve studied for awhile, hit the gym, practice yoga or go for a run. It will loosen you up, you’ll increase the blood flow to your brain and the endorphins can help make these weeks of hell seem less, well, hellish.
5. COFFEE, COFFEE, COFFEE
If you find success with our previous few recommendations, this one may not be so necessary. However, the general consensus is that this is one substance you should become well-acquainted with during the next couple weeks. Not only will the caffeine be crucial to staying up late, sometimes a table in Espresso Roma or a couch at The Buzz Café can be a refreshing place to study after hours spent alone at your desk.
4. STAY ORGANIZED
Keep on top of your schedule in the coming weeks; don’t let a final or a paper’s due date sneak up on you. Use your neglected day planner and glance at your classes’ syllabi. Know what you need to study for and when, and take it one exam at a time – things will seem much more manageable.
3. DON’T PROCRASTINATE
We know, this one might not be the easiest to accomplish, especially fresh off a long holiday weekend. But usually, the hardest part of studying is just starting. This isn’t the time to be lazy. Don’t think about it, don’t stress about it, just do it.
2. GO TO THE LIBRARY
Knight Library is open 24 hours a day – use it. Not only are there myriad nooks and corners where you can find a quiet place to study, there are resources available you probably didn’t even know existed. Plus, it’s easier to stay motivated without a queen-size bed and TV with 300 channels tempting you from across the room.
1. RELAX
Despite your professors’ greatest efforts to make it impossible, it’s important to take time amid all the studying to not use your brain. After a couple of hours hitting the books, watch a movie, play some Xbox or go for a hike. Also, try to deal with your worries one at a time so things don’t get overwhelming. If even the idea of relaxing stresses you out, the University Health Center has drop-in counseling sessions for students who may have difficulty facing the anxiety on their own.
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