Rules for study success

It is incredible how fast time goes by.  I know I say this quite often, but only because it is true!  Looking at the calendar, I realize it has been a whole month already since I’ve been back from my travels in El Salvador.  School and life have swept me away from the moment I stepped foot back on campus, and with my week of five finals in six days already upon me, there is just no time for anything anymore.   So, needless to say, this blog will be short.  Today, I have decided to leave you with a few pointers (which I will be following myself in the next few days) to hopefully get you through the madness that is the end of March and April finals… a suppose you could call them my rules for study success (as discovered through my personal experience)

-Rule number one?  Just keep breathing!  Now I know this sounds silly, but it is true… deep breathing actually does calm you down!

-Do your best and forget about the rest: as students we are always overloaded and expected to be professional multi-taskers.  But we are only human and there is only so much we can do.  So just buckle down, and do what you can, and that is all anyone can ask of you!

-Make lists- this may not be for everyone, but for me, writing things down on a to do list frees up my mind to think about other things, reduces some anxiety, and ensures that I don’t forget anything.

-Snack! That’s right, you can’t have a good study session if you are hungry!  Just make sure you throw in a piece of fruit or something green every once in a while. 

-Get some fresh air… even if it is just a quick walk outside for a Tim’s coffee to keep you going, fresh air will do you good (and remind you that despite your stress, the world will keep turning)!

-Team work… when in doubt, ask your friends and classmates.  Chances are, your combined brain power will be able to solve any study problems, and if not, at least you know you’re not alone.

-Naps- I get a lot of jokes from my friends, but I am not embarrassed admit that I take naps.  There is no point in nodding over your books when a quick power nap will rejuvenate and relax you. 

-Balance- this is hard to do when you’re in the final stretch of exams, but even little study breaks, like checking your email/facebook, going out for a quick jog or calling up family or a friend for a quick chat, will really help you re-energize and get back to your studies with renewed focus.

And finally, the thing I have the most trouble with, but possibly the most important thing… just remember that stress, though it feels very real, is at least to some degree, created by us!  So when you feel a panic attack coming on the night before your 50% final…. breath, cry, laugh, or do whatever you need to do to dismiss it and keep trucking along.  You can do it, I know you can!

Good luck everyone!

joy