When we think about success at school, we typically envision filling every available after-school hour with hard work. An industrious student may feel that the best strategy is to cram as much studying as possible into every available moment. However, more studying does not automatically equal more learning. Sometimes, less is more and doing nothing is more important than doing something.
The Essence of Study Skills
Contrary to popular belief, incorporating structured rest into daily life is crucial for student success. Just as rest periods are crucial for muscle growth and athletic performance in an exercise program, rest periods are also crucial for student brain health and academic success. Research on effective learning and memory demonstrates that intentional rest improves students’ ability to remember information and prevents burnout.
Sustained concentration requires effort, and attempting to maintain intense focus for hours at a time leads to mental fatigue. This mental fatigue, in turn, leads to the inability to incorporate and recall new information. Regular breaks help students return to their work with greater attention and enthusiasm. We suggest employing the pomodoro technique to avoid burnout and improve retention while studying.
The Pomodoro Technique
The pomodoro technique involves chunking studying and schoolwork into intentional 25-minute intervals alongside five- to ten- minute breaks. During these breaks, the student should engage in restorative behaviors such as grabbing a quick snack, stretching, or getting some fresh air. These breaks ensure that the brain has time to recover and integrate new information. A student who studies for three focused hours with appropriate breaks may accomplish more than a student who spends five intensive hours staring at a textbook.
Additionally, students should incorporate sustained periods of downtime into their weeks. Just as sleep is important for recovery and rejuvenation, periods of active rest are also important. That said, not all downtime is equal. Students may be tempted to spend downtime scrolling through social media, watching short-form videos, or switching rapidly between notifications and apps. Unfortunately, such behaviors can keep the brain engaged and firing instead of disengaged and recuperating.
For effective rest, it is paramount to minimize time spent scrolling and maximize time spent on restorative activities such as the following:
-
Physical activity such as taking a nature walk or playing a sport
-
Listening to music or an audiobook
-
Spending unstructured time with friends and family
-
Reading for pleasure (i.e., non-assigned reading)
-
Engaging in mindfulness or meditation (highly recommend mindfulness apps such as the Calm app)
But how can a student make time for downtime given their busy schedules? Using the following strategies will ensure that there is still time for downtime and recovery.
-
Take effective notes in class to know how to best study the class material.
-
Avoid procrastination and start to tackle new tasks as soon as they are assigned
-
Use an online calendar. Schedule out studying, schoolwork, and downtime.
-
Avoid cramming! Make sure to spend small time increments daily studying new material as soon as it is introduced.
-
Use tutoring effectively! Tutoring is an invaluable tool for working through new and confusing material. Our subject matter experts can help clear up any lingering confusion following implementation of the previous tools. Tutoring is most effective when students have first attempted the material themselves and can identify the specific problem areas for which they need help.
If implementing these techniques still feels difficult or even more overwhelming, AJ Tutoring offers study skills tutoring and study skills workshops.
