Students participate in a wide array of activities apart from education. While some students pursue extra courses, other university students have to work to meet the expenses. In cases like these, it becomes extremely difficult for the students to stay focused and energized while studying.
In this blog, we will take a look at how students can overcome various hurdles to get the maximum out of each study session.
- Make Sure You Have a Good Study Place
The difference between a good and a bad study space might be night and day. It may be time to reassess your workspace if you notice that studying in the same spot during the day and late at night yields drastically different outcomes. For example, if natural light is your primary source of illumination during the day, you may want to relocate to a location with more powerful lighting at night.
During the day, studying in bed may not be an issue, but in the evenings, consider switching to a more formal study setting. Furthermore, the place where you study should be free from external noises. If you want, you can put on some light music to make the place conducive for studying.
- Study with Your Peers
Talking through the topic with a classmate, buddy, or study group can help you avoid drifting off. Social studying can provide new insights and interpretations of class materials in addition to being more motivating and stimulating. Ask someone to explain a difficult idea to you, or teach the material to a peer to reinforce your own knowledge.
If you like to study alone, you might discover that studying in the company of others makes it simpler to prevent falling asleep. This is especially true if you have to submit an assignment or research paper on short notice. Give it a try, you will see surprising results.
- Take Advantage of Active Studying
It may not be enough to read and reread class notes or a textbook to stay awake, let alone absorb information. Active study tactics will keep you alert and help you get the most out of your study sessions. Try one or more of the following to achieve this:
- You should transfer the information to a map, cue card, diagram, chart, or other visual.
- Pronounce the words aloud.
- Teach a classmate the material.
- Carry out some practice activities.
- Make your own practice exercises and examples.
These are some of the tips that you should abide by, if you wish to remain focused on your studies.
- Exercise Outside or Take a Walk
Natural light is the most powerful influence on our circadian cycles. To begin the day, open the blinds or take a walk outside. For a variety of reasons, it’s a fantastic way to start the day. Melatonin, the sleep-inducing hormone, will decrease in response to sunlight. Getting some sun signals your body that it’s time to get up and go.
You can also exercise outside. You might do some light stretching, freehand exercises, burpees, IIHT training, calisthenics, and jog. Exercising in the sunshine and fresh air also promotes mood-boosting endorphins, the immune system, and metabolism.
- Avoid Bedroom and Smartphones
If you live in a dorm or a shared apartment, the most convenient study spot may also be where you sleep. However, you should avoid studying in any location that you connect with sleep, as this may cause you to become drowsy. If feasible, study somewhere other than your bedrooms, such as a library, coffee shop, or a designated, well-lit section of your home.
In addition to this, sit upright while studying. This is because when you lie down, there is increased activity in the parasympathetic system. And we associate that with resting and digestion.
Also, spending hours on your phone might drain your energy. When you assess your progress at the end of the day, you find that you spent around 3 to 4 hours on your mobile. So, refrain from using Whatsapp, Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube during study hours.
- Focus on Your Protein Intake
Prepare a breakfast that will help you maintain your energy levels for a longer duration. Choose high-protein items in the morning, such as eggs, yogurt, and nuts. Protein and whole grains take longer to break down into energy in your body. This helps prevent a crash later in the morning, which can occur if you have a breakfast that is high in simple carbohydrates and sugar.
Protein also improves your concentration and productivity. Eating high-protein snacks and meals throughout the day can also help you feel energized. You will find that you are able to study long hours and remain focused.
- Hydrate Yourself
Dehydration might manifest itself as fatigue or sleepiness. Dehydration does more than sap your energy. It may also cause cognitive impairment, making studying more difficult. Dehydration, as well as its effects on brain function, were investigated in a 2010 review. Mild to moderate dehydration, according to the authors, can affect short-term memory, perception, mathematical ability, alertness, and cognition.
Keep yourself hydrated throughout the day to avoid dozing off when studying. If you’re physically active or live in a hot area, this is extremely crucial. While the amount of water you should drink varies by person, aim for half a gallon each day. And no, consuming coffee is not an alternative to drinking water.
- Have Less Sugar
While it’s tempting to give yourself a sugary energy boost to keep you going, it’s probably not the best choice. We’ve all experienced the “crash” that occurs after consuming too much sugar, and how it may leave you feeling even more exhausted than before.
Instead of grabbing for a sugary Coke or a sweet treat for a pick-me-up, try something that won’t have such a negative impact on your body. Green tea, for example, is high in antioxidants and has a lower caffeine content than coffee. Nuts and other high-protein snacks can help you maintain your energy levels without the crash that carbohydrate-heavy foods can cause.
- Have Adequate Sleep
Sleep affects mood, attention, motivation, and memory, all of which have an impact on learning. It’s no wonder, however, that sleep deprivation is linked to low academic performance. Indeed, prioritizing sleep, both in the short and long term, maybe the most effective method to stay attentive while studying.
An Interesting Research
Students were given thorough factual information over the course of 5 hours in a study conducted in 2019. They either napped for an hour, watched a movie, or crammed the material halfway through the 5-hour time. They were tested on the material 30 minutes and one week after the learning time ended.
Those who had either crammed or rested for 30 minutes were able to recall the knowledge better than students who had watched a movie, according to the study. Only the students who had napped had higher memory of the knowledge after one week.
- Take Occasional Breaks
It can be tempting to rush through your obligations in order to complete them all, but this isn’t always the greatest option. After all, we’re all human, and our bodies and minds require rest and stimulation from time to time. Don’t battle the impulse to check Facebook or watch a YouTube video if you’ve been studying late into the night.
Allow yourself to enjoy by providing yourself with a brief distraction. It might be a terrific time to rejuvenate oneself before jumping back in if you keep the break brief and don’t overdo it.
- Focus on Proper Nutrition
We have already discussed the sugar and protein intake levels. Now, we will focus on other nutrients. Your aim would be to opt for small diets, and frequent meals. You must ensure that each meal should have protein, complex carbohydrates, and a source of healthy fat. Some instances involve tilapia, flounder, lentils, beans, tofu, peanut butter, Greek yogurt.
You can also consider fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, peas, oats, brown rice, avocado, salmon, eggs, coconut oil, etc. If you have any persisting medical issues, you should not hesitate in consulting a doctor.
If you follow the tips shared above, you will see that you are feeling way more energized than before. And the zeal to enrich your knowledge and secure good grades in schools and universities will also improve.
Author Bio: Ethan Taylor is an academic counselor, and he has helped a lot of students with career issues. He also has a degree in finance, and is currently associated with EssayAssignmentHelp. He supervises Academic Assignment Help and provides the perfect answer to, “Who can offer Accounting Assignment Help?”
