Welcome to our Weekly Study Tip post! This week, we're going to give you a few pointers on how to take care of your body and mind during finals week - it can be stressful and sometimes we need a little reminder!
You can check out our weekly YouTube video here, and we'll also give you a link to some printable May calendars here.
1. Get Enough Sleep!
The Washington Post published a seminal article two years ago about the importance of sleep for college students - if you want a quick summary, they found that the correlation between getting proper sleep and a high GPA was incredibly statistically significant! This means that you will likely benefit from getting proper sleep compared to cramming for your exams. Trust us!
2. Nutrition Matters
Be mindful of what you're putting into your body this week. You should of course always speak to your doctor about your diet, especially if you have dietary restricitons, but it is generally recommended to eat a balanced diet of fruits and veggies, protein, and slow-burn carbohydrates, avoiding excess processed foods, and drinking plenty of water. You'll stay more alert and likely perform better. Try to bring a snack and water bottle with you to study sessions in case you get hungry or thirsty (these can be very distracting feelings)!
3. Take Frequent Breaks
Generally speaking, the human brain can only focus productively on one task for about 25 minutes. That's why we recommend using the Pomodoro Method: pick something to do for 25 minutes, set all your devices to do not disturb, and work until the timer goes off. Then take a 5-minute break: use the bathroom, stretch, have a snack or some water, or do something that doesn't require you to focus on it, and repeat this 25+5 pattern for up to two hours before a longer break. Here's a Pomodoro timer you can use, plus an interesting video on why the Pomodoro Method works, if you're interested!
This Week with CNMS Advising:
Monday 5/13
2-3: Study Hall in TLC (UC115) with final exam study materials for BIOL141, BIOL142, CHEM101, and CHEM102
3-4: Academic Mindfulness workshop with CNMS Advising in UC115
Tuesday 5/14
11:30-12:30: Study Hall in TLC (UC115) with final exam study materials for BIOL141, BIOL142, CHEM101, and CHEM102
2:30-3:30: Study Hall in TLc (UC115) with final exam study materials for BIOL141, BIOL142, CHEM101, and CHEM102
Wednesday 5/15
11-2: CNMS Advising at StudyCon. Stop by for final exam study materials, snacks, and so much more!