5 Study Tips to Help Combat Stress

Heart racing, you jolt up awake in the middle of the night. It’s a nightmare that almost anyone who’s been through the modern education system can relate to; you forgot to study for a test.

Even years after graduation hats are sent flying, many people look back on their days in school as stressful. With the rise of standardised testing and the increasing pressure to do well academically in order to stand out in a cut-throat job market, it’s no surprise that half of all students are chronically stressed.

A common reason students are stressed out is lack of organisation. This made them woefully underprepared for assignment deadlines and exams, leaving them scrambling to keep up. In this article we will share some tried and tested study methods to help combat stress and make passing tests a piece of cake.

1. Clear your study space of distractions

A cluttered desk means a cluttered mind. Clear your workspace so that it is optimised for productive work. Make sure the location is well lit and not too loud. Let others know that you will be busy studying to prevent distractions. Turn off the TV and keep the phone out of the room or in flight mode. Once your environment is conducive to serious work, half the battle is already won.

A useful tool to clear a busy mind to help get in the studying mood is meditation. Take a minute or two to focus on your breath and let go of any stress or anxiety. Taking a walk or doing some light exercise is also a good way to get some blood pumping and help you focus before a study session

2. Schedule your study sessions and set goals

Failing to plan is planning to fail. All the willpower in the world will do you no good without a clear course of action to direct it. Make a realistic schedule for all exams and assignments so that you can finish them in time without cramming. A good rule of thumb is to make each study session around 45-60 minutes long. Be sure to take regular breaks so that you don’t burn out – this can even help you with the studying itself.

3. Mix up your methods

We are all unique, and this carries over to how we learn. If the traditional method of reading through the content and making notes feels draining, try other methods. You could try using flashcards, listening to recordings of yourself reading out your notes, or turning the key information into a song. Switching between different topics and methods is also a good way to keep your study sessions interesting and prevent boredom.

The Feynman technique involves attempting to teach a topic to someone unfamiliar with it. This allows you to spot holes in your own understanding and better understand the essence of a concept.

4. Work with others

No man is an island. If you are struggling with motivation or a difficult topic, chances are there are others who are too. Reach out to friends and keep each other accountable with joint goals and study sessions. It’s also a good idea to contact your teachers or professors with any questions you may have – they are there to help!

5. Reward yourself

Some of you may feel guilty about this last tip – sometimes we ‘reward’ ourselves with hours of procrastination before we even start working!

The key here is timing. Giving yourself a little, well-deserved treat after a productive session can do wonders for your motivation. This reinforces a positive feedback loop in your brain, making it easier to start your next study session.