Let’s Talk Study Habits

Elize Thirion, Specialist Wellness Counsellor, has written a blog for us on the importance of preparing for your exams with your study habits.

In my previous blog post, we looked at your food needs for optimum brain performance. Now, we take a superficial look at proper study habits. Study habits had been researched many times and is well documented.

When you as a student wake up to the fact that the exams is approaching fast and you don’t know enough to sit down for the exams, your first reaction is to sit down and start cramming information, to the point of utter exhaustion. This my friend, is not productive nor practical.

You still have time to plan properly. For the purpose of planning, set aside about two hours of a Sunday or any other day. Plan to be effective, be effective in your planning. Now, it is important NOT to waste precious time.

A few notes on how to go about the planning:

• Plan your studies according to the importance and difficulty of your subjects. This will give you an indication of time you need to spend on the subject.
• If you don’t have the spot to study, find a spot that will work best. A space where it is quiet, not too hot or cold with little distractions like tv or family interactions.
• Sleep enough! When the pressure builds, you will need a clear and rested mind. Use your alarm clock. Be disciplined.
• Find yourself some old exam papers for trial exams.
• In the previous blog post attention was given to healthy eating habits, and exercise, revisit that post again.
• In between, live a little! Yes, plan the time when you will relax away from the books.
• Next, teach someone what you learnt. A great test to know how well you understand the work.
• Short of cramming, plan the last days before the exams start, as follow: You start your day with a time of 30 minutes, take a break of 5 minutes. Come back, study for 25 minutes, then take a break of 15 minutes.
• Come back and study for 30 minutes, take a break of 5 minutes,

Study for 25 minutes and break for an hour.

• Go for a walk or any light exercise to give your brain a break.
• Be disciplined! At this stage, no one can afford to be very relaxed and hope for the best.

Good luck and use your time wisely.

Elize Thirion

Specialist Wellness Counsellor