Recharging Yourself for Academic Success

             Refueling yourself for academic success is imperative for any student in college. It's currently finals weekend at Saint Norbert and most students are feeling the pressure. I just spent my whole day today studying for an upcoming Anatomy final that's on Tuesday. But while we are spending our days trying to remain focused on studying, we often become less and less motivated. That is why we must take time out of our schedule to relax and have fun. One of the best ways to recharge yourself for academic success is actually to get physically active. Getting in an hour of exercise before or in-between your studies will decrease your impulsiveness to check your phone as well as open up channels in your brain to help you retain the information. After you have began your studying, every hour you should take at least a 10 minute break. This gives you enough time to check your phone, go to the bathroom, or grab something to eat. A short 10 minute break will often subconsciously reward yourself for making it a whole hour focused. Often when I take a 10 minute break I am either checking social media, texting my friends or watching a short video. You often times want to avoid doing reading in-between because it will put further strain on your brain. It is said that the average person can only learn 18 new words a day. So when you spend hours upon hours studying straight you are doing little to help yourself for the upcoming exam. That is a major reason why cramming is so ineffective. Another tip for studying is to study before bed. This will help your brain to continue to process the information and file it away as you sleep. Everyone has a way of recharging themselves for academic success, but by giving yourself that short time you need of relaxation you will further improve your test scores.