Exam Cram

Hi there!

Sorry about my absence - I've been swamped with exams, projects, and work. I'll probably be MIA for until next week, but I promise I'll make it up with lots of DIY projects!

In the meantime, I know many are also struggling through midterms and finals, so here are a few things to remember:

1. Don't procrastinate. Yes, we hear it all the time, but how many of us actually follow the advice? Our brains can only learn a certain amount at one time, so try spacing topics out over a series of days. Break up each subject to manageable topics and go back to review each one frequently.
2. Plan blocks of time to study. Treat studying like attending a class. Planning a block of time (1-2 hours) to attack one topic will prevent procrastination and give an end point in mind. Make a checklist of topics to study, and check off each topic at the end of the time block - it's very satisfying.
3.  Find time to exercise. Just 30 minutes of any aerobic exercise can help improve mental-processing speed, and help with studying and memorization. It's also important to get up and away from the desk to give your body and mind a break. 
4. Get plenty of sleep. Pulling all-nighters are not as effective as most people think - the longer you continuously study, the more exhausted you become, and your brain can retain less and less. Even worse, the lack of sleep will impair your cognitive performance, and make your body more prone to stress. To do the best that you can, be sure to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep the days before an exam so that sleep deprivation won't undo all your hard work.

Most importantly, take a deep breath and relax. Don't freak out, you'll do great! 

Smile c:
~michelle