If you’ve got deadlines nearing, it can be easy to focus all your attention on getting your work done as well as you possibly can. Perhaps your coursework is due, or exams are on the horizon, for example. However, it’s worth remembering that you are much more likely to perform at your very best if you are also giving enough thought to your mental and physical health.
This can be through little things, like keeping hydrated and eating a varied and balanced diet with lots of fruit and vegetables. That might sound obvious, but when you’re under pressure, it can be tempting to reach for energy drinks or coffee and quick snacks that are high in sugar to give you a ‘boost’. In reality, eating small, healthy meals throughout the day and making sure you keep your water bottle topped up at all times gives your brain and body the best possible grounding for a long stretch of successful study.
Getting enough sleep is also absolutely vital for both studying hard and looking after your health. Try to get to bed at a reasonable time so you can be up early in the morning to seize the day. And on the subject of rest – it’s not all about sleep! It’s also important to take frequent breaks when you’re studying. In fact, recent scientific research has proven that periods of wakeful rest throughout learning can encourage people to retain memories.
Taking five minutes to make a sandwich, popping out for a half-hour long walk round the block or even sitting down on the sofa and stroking the dog are great ways to rest during the day. Try to steer clear of your phone and TV immediately after studying, as these mediums can interfere with memory retention. Keeping in touch with friends and family and chatting to them about what you’re learning is a great way of committing revision to memory, however.
Giving your brain a chance to unwind can help to recharge your batteries so that you are left fresh and ready to take on your next study session. You might have heard the words “work/life balance” thrown around a lot, but making space in your timetable to unwind is completely vital when it comes to maintaining a positive state of mind and a sense of balance in life. So, if you start to feel a bit frazzled, make sure you take a step back and do something you enjoy for a little while.
If your deadlines are less imminent, experiential learning is a great way of studying, and if you have a passion for a subject, it can end up being really enjoyable! Going on a research trip or spending time at a Cambridge summer school is a great way to mix up your methods of learning, and you’ll end up with knowledge you might not have gained elsewhere, too.
Perhaps you’re finding that the intense pressure of multiple hand-ins with exam season looming is putting you off study altogether. Young people face greater stresses now than ever before, and it can feel like there’s never a good time to take a step back and reflect on what it is you want to do with your life. But in order to take good care of yourself, taking a breather and reassessing the situation can be invaluable.
Trying out a Cambridge summer school by Immerse Education could provide you with a fresh perspective on one of your current subjects, or it could introduce you to another subject entirely! A summer school is also a great way of clearing your head if there’s anything you’re unsure about when it comes to progressing to higher education. You’ll meet like-minded people who are in the same situation and have the opportunity to learn in a new, exciting environment – a winning combination!