Spring Study Hacks
How to maximize your time and brain power this finals season!
Finals are upon us and your books are getting heavy. If the mere thought of your upcoming all-nighters leaves you terrified, here are some tips and tricks to master reading week and make the most of your study time!
Find strength in numbers
If you haven’t yet made friends with your classmates, now is the perfect time! Group studying and team collaboration is a great way to work through difficult concepts, verbalize your material, and teach ideas you may know a little better. Not to mention its basically an excuse to hang out and it makes studying way more fun!
Reward yourself along the way
Long study sessions with no breaks can be draining and ultimately not very productive. Motivate yourself to finish that page or lecture with a yummy treat or quick Netflix break (20 minutes of The Office for each lecture you finish). You’ll have something to look forward to and keep you sane throughout the night!
Get in your zone
Music has been proven to help aid in memory recall and stress-relief during long study sessions. Turn on this playlist as soft background noise to fuel your study-frenzy this finals season — OR crank up the volume on one of our lumberjack-approved playlists and get in the zone as you get ready to ace those exams!
Change up your environment
If your normal chair at the library is getting a little uncomfortable, a change of atmosphere at a cozy local spot may be the trick to get you back on track. With late night hours and gourmet coffee, Flagstaff has plenty of secret study spots that can get you a new view and refreshed mind when you need to hit the books!
Plan your naps accordingly
It’s happened to us all, you plan a quick nap to re-energize but you end up waking up groggy and feeling worse than you did before. Try drinking a cup of coffee right before your power nap and only sleeping for about 20 minutes — the caffeine will have time to kick in and you’ll have gotten a quick rest at the same time!
Let your creative side out
Grab a marker and put those library white boards to use. Draw diagrams, pictures, cartoons or anything that can help you correlate a topic with an image. Bonus points if you create a quick story to go with your picture that relates to your study topic, you’ll remember it and be able to recall it on the exam!
Turn on the lights
Dim lights can signal to your body that its time for rest and sleep — the complete opposite of what you’re looking for during an all-nighter! Open your blinds during the daytime (or study outside), and use that desk lamp to keep your eyes open and your brain awake.
Get your blood pumping
Exercise can refresh your brain and get you awake, oxygenated, and energized for your study sessions. Try to squeeze in a walk around campus, the library, or even just a walk to get a snack. Can’t afford to lose out on valuable study time? Take your notes to the rec center and find a stationary bike — multitask your way to success!
Limit your electronic distractions
If you just cant put your phone down, there’s an app for that! Force yourself to focus with an app that blocks your social accounts and non-essential websites for a specific amount of time. You’ll have no choice but to be productive!
Use your senses
Scents, tastes, sounds and touch can help you recall information during a test. Try this — each time you study a fact about calculus, english or any subject, smell something strong like a lemon or certain perfume, chew a special flavor of gum, or listen to a certain song. When you’re in the exam you’ll be able to recall the specific scent or sound and remember what it correlates to!
Use these hacks and set yourself up for success this finals season.
We believe in you ;)
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