All students know how stressful things can get before an upcoming exam. While preparing adequately is always a smart thing to do, you might be wondering — is there really such a thing as studying too hard?
Yes, studying too hard is a real phenomenon, and it can actually work against you. While it’s important to put enough effort into every task, there comes a point where extensive studying can diminish your results.
According to Cognitive Load Theory, developed by John Sweller, our minds have a limited capacity for processing and retaining new information. If you overload yourself with too much information at once, your working memory becomes overwhelmed, reducing the amount of key concepts you eventually store in your long-term memory.
With this in mind, avoiding studying too hard can actually help you retain more information and perform better in your academic pursuits. To do this, you need to know when it’s time to take a break. A productive break should last around 10 minutes after every 50 minutes of studying and include something you enjoy to help you relax and reset before continuing.
For instance, a short game of football on your mobile or the best BTC-friendly casino options available globally are some of the ways to refresh your brain and continue with your diligent work; and if you hit a jackpot in the meantime, even better.
Or if your favorite YouTube channel has just uploaded a new video, taking a few minutes to watch it can be a great way to relax and reset your mind, as well as watch a shorter sitcom or sketch show.
These breaks won’t only help improve your academic performance, but they’ll also support your overall well-being by reducing stress, preventing burnout, and keeping your mind refreshed.
Another important topic to touch on is multitasking. You may have heard that by tackling multiple tasks at the same time, you’ll be able to study more efficiently and get more things done. This is simply not true, especially when you take into account that your brain has a limited capacity for processing information at once, as explained in Cognitive Load Theory. By juggling multiple tasks, you increase your cognitive load, making it more difficult for your brain to actually absorb information.
A more effective approach is to put all your focus on one task at a time. This allows your brain to fully process and store information before moving on to something else.
Another way to prevent overstudying is to prioritize quality sleep and avoid late-night cramming sessions. Staying awake all night to study is a common practice among students. Medical News Today found out that 20% of students stay awake at night at least once a week. While this does provide some extra time to study, it actually harms your ability to retain information in your long-term memory and perform well at college.
Sleep is essential, not only for consolidating memories and processing what you learned that day but also for your overall health. Sticking to the recommended 8-10 hours of sleep every night helps ensure your brain functions at its best and supports sustained energy levels for increased productivity.
Besides getting enough sleep, other ways of maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help you improve your cognitive performance. This includes exercising regularly, sticking to a healthy diet, and staying hydrated. If you think some of your habits need adjusting, start by making small, manageable changes to your routine.
So, instead of studying harder, focus on studying smarter by making small adjustments to the way you approach studying and your everyday life. With just a little bit of effort, you’ll be able to retain more information, stay productive, and maintain a healthy balance between your academic career and personal well-being.
