Study Spaces

• Find a study space that’s conducive to successful studying. A shared dorm room or family kitchen can make it difficult to concentrate if there’s a lot of traffic flowing in and out of the room. Make a habit of studying in quiet spaces, whether that’s a library cubicle or a quiet room away from distraction. Make sure there’s plenty of space to spread out your materials and work comfortably.

Productive Breaks

• Schedule breaks in your study sessions to break up the monotony and allow your brain to rest. Spending extensive time studying without a break makes it harder for the brain to concentrate and soak in information. Move away from your desk during your break time. Get up and walk, jog or stretch to improve blood circulation and to increase the oxygen reaching your brain. Keep breaks to 15 minutes or less so that you can easily return focus to where you left off.

Food and Sleep

• The foods you choose to eat and the amount of sleep you get each night can either work for or against your study sessions. Foods high in nutritional value, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats fuel your brain, making it easier to concentrate for longer periods of time. Make a habit of eating a small meal or snack before studying, and keep a granola bar or other quick snack with you in case you get hungry during your study session. Water is also key to keeping your cells hydrated for better brain function.
• Create a habit of getting at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night when possible. It’s tempting to stay up all night, especially when you have a test the next morning. However, going to bed and waking up a little earlier for a last minute study session, instead of pulling an all-nighter, can increase how well the information sticks. Even better, use the tips above to study ahead of time to remove the need to stay up all night in the first place. Reviewing material over time is also more effective in transferring information to long-term memory than cramming just prior to a test.

  

  Studying is difficult, especially when there are other activities you would rather do. Luckily, you can keep your study time to a minimum by developing habits that force you to think ahead, organize, stay motivated and use your time more effectively to get the most out of your study sessions. Good luck.

• Edmond Garrett writes all about education. His recent work is on the 10 Best Online Homeland Security Programs.

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