By Anis Nadhirah
How long have you been staring at your laptop or notebook studying for the latest mid-sem test or final exam? One hour? One day?
If it’s been some time since you’ve taken out your pens, wracked your brain, and refilled your cup of water, it’s time to take a break.
Yup, you heard me.
One of the best study tips that you should follow other than how to actually study is learning when to take a break. You might feel guilty stepping away from the desk even for one minute but trust me: it’s worth it.
I like to call that time your ‘Reward Time’. You close the book for a moment and look at your surroundings. Maybe find something to occupy your time so you don’t actively think about the guilt and anxiety. But when do you know when it’s time for a break?
Whenever I study, I set up a mini schedule within that study schedule. You could do this through alarm clocks or those fancy mobile apps that help you segmentise your time. What’s important is knowing how long you should study and how long you can take a break.
For example, you could study for 1 hour straight, then give yourself 10 minutes to rest. Or if you’re the type who can’t concentrate for long, consider your study like speed rounds of a quiz show. Study for 20 to 30 minutes, then give yourself a 5-minute break before going through that sprint once more. Find out which time arrangement suits your studying style most.
So, what do you do in the midst of your break? First things first, stand up and get a fresh breath of air. Walk around, check your chats, play a quick game that doesn’t require too much effort, or literally… Rest. Look out your window and relax.
You may think the best way to study is to work non-stop around the clock. But, without even the smallest break, you might eventually break from the never-ending pressure.