healthy study habits
can kick start your school year
by Kate Harney
September has finally rolled around and it’s back to school time! Things can be quite stressful, whether you are the student or are busy organizing your kids’ schedules. It’s tough to schedule structured homework time into the day, but doing so can greatly reduce the pressures of schoolwork and give you more time to relax. Just follow some of these simple study tips and turn homework time into a fun, stress-free activity!
1. Get a good night’s sleep. Being well-rested is not only good for your general wellness, it will also keep you more alert to finish your studies. If necessary, take a quick, 20-minute power nap to rejuvenate yourself before diving into your studies.
2. Have a block of time set aside every day for homework. This way you will know exactly when to buckle down and study. Maybe right after school you have the most energy, or maybe after dinner is best. Find a time that works for you and stick with it.
3. Give yourself time to relax after school. After working hard for seven hours, your brain needs time to unwind before tackling more work. Take a break; read or play outside and get some fresh air to clear your mind before “cracking the books.”
4. Have a healthy snack before your study session. Eating a quick snack, such as fresh or dried fruit, or yogurt and a granola bar, will refuel your body and give you lots of energy to tackle even the hardest of math problems!
5. Never study on a bed. A bed is a place to sleep and should not be mixed with schoolwork. Find a nice, quiet place like a desk, the kitchen table, or the local library to do your work.
6. Listen to Mozart or Bach. Quietly playing classical music while studying has been proven to help people retain information and focus on the task. It can also drown out the background noises of younger siblings or noisy neighbors.
7. Break your work into chunks. It’s a lot easier to tackle a large project if it is broken down into smaller, more manageable pieces. Plan big papers out in advance and spread a big project out over several weeks. The final due date will be much less stressful if you work on it a little bit every day.
8. Make a daily list of tasks you want to accomplish. You will feel better seeing what work needs to be done and crossing it off the list when completed.
9. Do bigger or harder assignments first. Your mind will be freshest and ready to tackle any task.
10. Lastly, always start your homework with a positive attitude. Think of it as a learning experience and a chance to improve your study skills, rather than as a drag. Remember, learning can be fun too, so grab some funky gel pens and some cool notebooks and get ready for a great new school year!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kate Harney is a recent graduate of Pittsford Mendon High School and attends Dartmouth College where she is studying Sociology.