Spring has sprung, Camosun students! With the beautiful weather we’ve experienced lately also comes a dreaded season for many students: finals.
In this issue, I’ll share some valuable study tips to help us all get through what can be an extremely stressful time.
I’ve touched on this briefly in several of my previous columns, but I feel it will be beneficial to dive deeper into the topic.
To recap some of my previous work, a few great ways to improve your studying are taking a walk, putting your phone away, and taking a dopamine “detox” to help reset your focus.
Here are four more tips to help you study better this finals season.
Find a fantastic study spot
I can’t stress enough the importance of having a regular study spot. When you show up continuously at the same place, your brain will start to realize that’s where you study and help you lock in to the material faster. If you eat, sleep, and study in the same area, you send mixed signals and your brain doesn’t know what to do. If you’re on the Lansdowne campus, the quiet study room in the Wilna Thomas building is an ideal environment to focus in. The Interurban campus has some good spots too: start in the Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness.
Have a specific time picked out
This tip goes hand in hand with the last one. Having a dedicated study time will help you slip into a flow state so much faster. It doesn’t have to be the same time each day, but if you know when and where you’re doing your studying, all that’s left to do is show up.
Have a plan
You’re probably noticing a pattern by now. Preparing for your focused study time is half the battle. By planning what you’re going to study, and when, you take all the guesswork out of it.
Use the pomodoro technique
If you struggle focusing for extended periods, the pomodoro technique is going to be your best friend. It involves repeated bouts of focused work or studying, followed by a quick break to reset your focus. My favourite way to utilize this method is by studying for 25 minutes, then taking five minutes to stretch or get a quick snack.
I hope these tips help you out, and good luck this finals season.