Study Break Tips
Here's a secret: Taking a break after revising actually makes you more effective. But here are some ways to make sure your breaks are useful and don't last the whole day...
1. Eat a snack. Food is energy. I don't think this needs much explanation but sometimes you may feel tired because you need some food. Stick to fruits or nuts.
2. Read a book or magazine that is not related to your subject and not at your work-space. This will relax you and allow your brain some time to distance itself from the repetitive nature of studying. Fantasy books are great distractions
3. Go for a walk outside. I know you have heard this a million times but fresh air can really clear your mind and put things in perspective. Just try it, what's the worst that could happen?
4. Do some exercise, no matter how light. You've all heard about how endorphins make you feel better so give it a go. Not only will you clear your head but you'll be staying fit too.
5. Take a shower. You'll feel better and less groggy. A shower will make you feel refreshed and will allow you to take some much needed time to take care of yourself. Although it may feel like you have to revise every second of your life (which you DO NOT and SHOULD NOT), it's not a good idea to neglect yourself.
6. Tidy up your room/desk. It's so easy to fling things on your bed or floor during an intense revision session. Tidy room, tidy mind.
7. Spend some time with your family. It can start to feel claustrophobic to spend all your time in your room revising, spending time with loved ones to have a quick chat can help put things in perspective.
8. Try not go on YouTube, Netflix, Now TV, Hulu, whatever streaming service you have. If you do make sure you've already pre-determined how much time you are going to spend on there or how many episodes you're going to watch. If you know your self-control when it comes to these things can be quite limited (happens to the best of us), pick something else in the list to do during your study break.
9. This may sound weird, but don't feel guilty for taking a break. Athletes have rest days so that they don't physically harm themselves, your brain needs that kind of care too.
10. Do something creative. This can be drawing, writing, dancing ... anything that lets you express yourself just for the sake of it.
11. Nap - now this is at your own risk. Sometimes our bodies are just screaming at us to sleep so a quick 20 minute nap can re-energise you. But no longer because next thing you know it'll be the next day.
12. Get out. Go out, meet up with friends, do something (that isn’t self-destructive) that will not cause you to think about studying at all. For example going to the cinema, you are guaranteed that just for a few hours you’ll be engrossed in a movie.