I see a lot of people listening to music while they study. I’ve done it before but have concluded I retain information significantly better without running tunes while reviewing my notes. I have no comparisons of tests where I have studied with music vs. without, but I know I absorb much more information when I have nothing to divert my focus. If I have my headphones on, I’m either paying too much attention to the song or I’m blocking it out completely thus rendering the music useless anyways. Some people pull it off well, but perhaps they’re logging more hours because they aren’t using their time 100% efficiently. Or perhaps they’re just very talented and can listen to music and study effectively at the same time. Whatever the case, I know my studying isn’t as effective when I have music playing so I study without. In general, the end result will be students study more effectively when their focus is solely on the books.
Archive for November, 2008
Rationing Study Time
My exams are lumped together at the beginning and end of exam weeks (Dec 1 – Dec 13). My first two are Texas Civil Procedure and Professional Responsibility. The latter are Wills, Estates, and Trusts and Insurance Law. I plan on concentrating 80% of my study time to the first two and then use the remaining time for a “break” with my later tests. I’ll have a week after Professional Responsibility to work on studying for those. Although 3 of the 4 are at 8:00am (as opposed to 1:00 pm), none are on the same day which is fortunate. Also, I think this type of exam schedule is very favorable – perhaps only beaten by an evenly spaced interval schedule.
Exam Food
We all want to earn the best score possible on our tests. Beyond your knowledge, outside factors can help increase your grade. One of those factors is the food you eat.
Before the exam, make sure you eat a high carbohydrate, high protein breakfast and/or snack. However, you want to eliminate any high fat foods. As you might expect, you don’t want a large meal. Ideally, you will have a light to medium breakfast.
Suggested foods include toast, eggs, orange juice, milk, banana, blueberries, cereal, and turkey. If your exam is a little later in the day, take a snack and sports drink with you to keep your brain functional.
Protein is said to increase your alertness. Collectively, these foods also serve to increase your energy. Research has shown blueberries improve your memory. Of course, you don’t want to limit these foods within your diet to exam day as the beneficial effects will help you more if you integrate a healthier diet on a regular basis.