It happens to the best of us. We go into the semester or quarter with a grand plan of always staying on schedule and then life happens鈥� we get sick, we have trouble balancing work and school, we鈥檙e sidetracked by our kids, or we just fall into a slump.

That doesn鈥檛 mean you鈥檙e a bad student or that you鈥檙e not cut out for graduation 鈥� it just means you鈥檙e human and you need a little help getting back on track! To help you back on schedule and to a place of optimal productivity, we came up with these six tips for catching up with your schoolwork.

1. Talk to Your Instructors About Possible Extension

Instructors appreciate transparency and they may give you some leeway. Your instructors may even offer other forms of support, such as one-on-one office hours, some helpful tips, or recommendations for student resources like tutoring. The earlier you can communicate any issues you鈥檙e experiencing, the better chance you have to course-correct.

2. Create an Inventory of Your Assignments and Prioritize

When you鈥檙e behind on your assignments, the thought of everything you need to do to catch up can be paralyzing. 鈥溾�� refers to overthinking matters to the point where you become so overwhelmed that you fail to take any action. To avoid reaching this point, it鈥檚 best to transfer your to-do list from your head to paper (or your phone, tablet, or desktop).

Create a list of all the assignments you need to catch up on and then prioritize those tasks based on importance and urgency. For example, past-due assignments that are a larger percentage of your grade should take higher priority. Also, you should start on more time-intensive projects sooner so you can space out the work and not get burned out by trying to do them all at once.

By creating a to-do list that is ordered from highest to lowest priority, you have a clear plan of action that you can start working on right away rather than worrying about whether you鈥檙e using your time effectively. If you鈥檙e not able to check everything off the list, you can at least rest assured knowing the most important assignments were completed.

Additionally, if you鈥檙e still struggling with analysis paralysis due to the stress of starting a hefty project, consider starting with a smaller assignment to create a 鈥渜uick win鈥� and get yourself motivated. You can also break your large project into smaller steps to help your assignment feel more manageable and to get the same 鈥渜uick win鈥� effect.

3. Create a Calendar for Your Assignments

Next, you will want to add all your past-due and upcoming assignments to a calendar, whether that鈥檚 paper or digital. Space out past-due assignments over a certain number of weeks (depending on how long you have to catch up) so you set a reasonable timeline for completing them in tandem with your new assignments.

Note down the dates for which you need to complete each assignment. It can be helpful to set your own personal due date a few days before the actual deadline to give yourself wiggle room in case extra time is needed. (This can help to prevent you from falling behind on even more assignments in the future.)

And make sure to be realistic with your goals for completing assignments. Trying to cram too much into one week will only set you up for failure and lead to frustration and loss of momentum.

It can be helpful to create due date reminders on your phone to help you stay on schedule.

4. Minimize Distractions

As you make the sprint to catch up on your coursework, you need to remove as many barriers as possible. Make an honest assessment of what unnecessary distractions are keeping you from completing your assignments on time and take steps to minimize or even completely eliminate those distractions while you鈥檙e focusing on schoolwork.

Here are a few tips that can help you stay focused and inspired:

• Work in a quiet room or area where you鈥檙e less likely to be distracted or interrupted. (Check out our 5 tips for setting up your study space for success.)
• Put your phone on airplane mode while you study or complete assignments.
• Remove social media apps from your phone for a while.
• Don鈥檛 try to study while watching TV, listening to a podcast, etc.
• If you work well with music, put on your best study playlist. (It may help to choose something instrumental so you don鈥檛 start singing along!)
• If you need a change of scenery, find a new place to study like the library, a coffee shop, or your patio.
• If you鈥檙e a parent and you鈥檙e able to do so, set a time when your significant other, a family member, or anyone else willing to help can watch your kids for a while so you can focus 100% on your schoolwork.
• If you keep thinking about other things while studying, write them down so you can clear your mind and refocus on the task at hand.
• Take regular breaks so you don鈥檛 get burned out. (Here are some ideas for how you can use your break time in a constructive way.)

5. Ask for Help and Tap Into Your Resources

One of the biggest mistakes students make is trying to do everything on their own. Talk to an advisor at your school about the issues you鈥檙e experiencing so they can provide advice and direct you to resources that may be available at your college or university, such as free tutoring, study guides, or student workshops.

You can also ask around to see if there are any study groups you can join, as working in a group can help break up the monotony of your work and help you better absorb the material you鈥檙e learning. Even finding just one other classmate to swap notes and ideas with can be helpful. (Read this post if you鈥檙e thinking of starting your own study group.)

6. Reflect and Recalibrate

As you wrap up your semester or quarter, it鈥檚 important to stop and reflect on what you could have done better. Could you have procrastinated less? Been more strategic in your study schedule? Minimized or removed certain distractions? Been more vocal about your need for help?

Fortunately, your semester or quarter is an opportunity to start fresh! Go into your new courses with new strategies for success and implement them from the start so you鈥檙e less likely to fall behind. With a more intentional approach, you may be able to get through the semester or quarter with better grades and less stress.

To learn some strategies for how to make better use of your study time (which can help you stay on schedule), check out this post on how to study more efficiently.

You can also continue following our blog for more study tips.

The post Falling Behind? Follow These 6 Tips for Catching Upon Your Schoolwork appeared first on 国产主播.

Study Buddy: How to Balance Studying with Your Mental Health Counseling Practicum or Internship

If you are enrolled in a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling program, you will be required to complete a certain number of hours of clinical experience, which will be through the form of a practicum course or internship. This will give you valuable experience interacting directly with clients and licensed mental health counselors, which is critical for preparing you for your future career.

While this is an exciting time, it can also be stressful as you figure out how to juggle your clinical experiences with your regular coursework and personal life. To help you find the right balance, below are some tips for you to consider.

1. Create a schedule and stick to it.

A mental health counseling practicum or internship will be demanding on your schedule, so you need to prepare for it in advance. Be strategic with your time by looking at your weekly practicum/internship schedule and planning study time around those hours.

Put blocks of time on your calendar that are dedicated solely to completing coursework and studying and try to adhere to that plan as much as possible. When you start making exceptions on a regular basis, you lose momentum and may start falling behind in your coursework.

And make sure to be realistic about what you can accomplish so you don鈥檛 burn yourself out and get discouraged. For example, you may need to account for travel time or simply time to unwind so you can get into the right headspace for transitioning into schoolwork and vice versa.

If you鈥檙e a visual person, try putting up a physical calendar that is marked up with your fieldwork and study schedules. It may also be helpful to set alarms on your phone as a reminder.

2. Consider an online mental health counseling program (if you have not chosen a program yet).

Online mental health counseling master鈥檚 programs tend to provide students with increased flexibility in their schedules. Not only do they get to skip the commute to campus, but they are also oftentimes not confined to set class hours, which means they can watch lectures and complete assignments at times that make sense for their own schedules (i.e., they may choose to complete their course activities at night instead of during the day).

If you have not already started a program, you may want to consider one that is either fully online or partially online (鈥渂lended鈥�), which will give you greater flexibility in the days and times you can choose for your practicum or internship hours.

3. Choose a practicum site that is close to home or campus.

While you don鈥檛 want to limit your opportunities by only considering local practicum and internship sites, choosing a location that is closer to home or campus may help you cut down on commuting time, which allows you to dedicate more time to your coursework. If you happen to find a nearby site that meets the requirements of your program and aligns with your interests, it鈥檚 a win-win situation!

4. Ask for help.

Remember that you are not in this alone. If you鈥檙e in a good graduate program, you should have access to professors and advisors who genuinely want to help you succeed. Turn to them for advice on how to best maximize your time when you鈥檙e trying to balance schoolwork with your clinical experiences. You can also speak with your practicum or internship supervisor for general advice or help possibly adjusting your schedule, if needed.

And don鈥檛 forget about any other support systems you have in your life. You may want to ask family members or friends if they can assist with personal responsibilities (such as lending a hand with your kids if you鈥檙e a parent) to help free up your schedule.

5. Take care of your physical and mental health.

If you want to have the stamina to complete all your responsibilities (such as school, and internship, and maybe even a job on top of that), you need to make sure you鈥檙e investing in your physical and mental health.

Eat healthy meals and snacks, get , and get some exercise so your body is ready to put in the grueling work of studying and clinical hours.

And make sure to give yourself some downtime! Take regular breaks during your study sessions and schedule in some time to do something relaxing that you enjoy, whether it鈥檚 a nap, a hobby, or just spending some time with family and friends. If you feel this is impossible to do, start small work 10- to 15-minute breaks to disconnect and decompress.

Clinical Practicum & Internship Experiences at WCU

At 国产主播, students in our MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program are required to complete 135 hours of clinical supervised practicum and 600 hours of internship (which do not count toward the hours they must complete post-graduation and pre-licensure as a licensed counseling professional intern or associate).

Because we believe in setting up our students for success, we provide them with the highest level of support through every aspect of their program, including their clinical experiences. Read about 奥颁鲍鈥檚 counseling practicum and internship support.

You can also get more study tips on our blog.

The post How to Balance Studying with Your Counseling Practicum appeared first on 国产主播.

If you鈥檙e an aspiring or existing nurse, you know that caring isn鈥檛 just a career, it’s your calling.

But that doesn鈥檛 mean it doesn鈥檛 wear you down. Nurse burnout is a very real thing, and so is nursing school burnout.

Between challenging courses, clinicals, licensure exam prep, and competition between classmates, it makes sense that nursing students would end up feeling run down every now and then.

Fortunately, you鈥檙e not going through it alone, and there are ways to boost your energy, build your stamina, and reignite the fire that made you sign up for nursing school in the first place. Keep reading to learn more about what burnout is, how it affects nurses and nursing school students, and what you can do to avoid or recover from it.

What Is Burnout?

On the occupational front, is identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a syndrome that occurs when someone experiences chronic workplace stress that has not been managed. Common signs of burnout include:

• Feelings of exhaustion
• Feelings of cynicism, negativity, or mental distance toward one鈥檚 occupation
• Reduced professional efficacy (or difficulty performing tasks related to one鈥檚 job)

Additionally, medical experts say as well. That鈥檚 because high levels of stress can cause the body to go into overdrive when producing stress hormones such as adrenaline, cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. This can be helpful in the moment to get the body through high-intensity situations but harmful over the long run.

Common physical signs of burnout include:

• Fatigue
• Sleep issues (i.e., insomnia and nightmares)
• Changes in eating habits (undereating or overeating)
• Headaches
• Stomachaches

Burnout can also cause mental health issues such as feelings of anxiety or depression.

How Common Is Burnout in Nursing and Nursing School?

Nursing burnout has long been an issue challenging the healthcare industry, which was only exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. A 2022 study by the American Nurses Association (ANA) found that with understaffing stated as the top contributing factor.

Studies from all over the world have found that nursing students experience burnout as well.

One referenced a Swedish survey that found a burnout rate of 29.7% among first鈥恲ear nursing students and 36.9% among second year students. The same study also referenced analytical research in Iran that showed up to 49.2% of medical science students reporting higher academic burnout levels than the average general student population. Additionally, a found that 35.8% of nursing students pursuing their bachelor鈥檚 degrees experienced mild to severe depression, 37.3% experienced anxiety, and 41.1% experienced stress.

has been found to negatively affect the quality of nursing care and academic performance while leading to higher withdrawals from courses.

That鈥檚 why it鈥檚 important for nursing students to recognize signs of burnout early, take corrective measures to get to a healthier state, and even take steps to prevent burnout before it occurs.

5 Ways to Overcome Nursing School Burnout

1. Reexamine Your 鈥榃hy’

If you鈥檙e worried about getting burned out or you鈥檙e already there, follow these steps to get your physical health, mental health, and motivation back on track.

Our advice is to take actions the following actions when you鈥檙e starting to feel discouraged or disillusioned:

Meditate on your 鈥渨hy鈥� for signing up for nursing school, whether that鈥檚 a loved one who experienced a serious health challenge, someone you look up to within the field of healthcare, or just a strong desire to help people and make a difference

Write down your why and keep it visible. Jot down your reason for becoming a nurse on Post-it notes and stick them on your bathroom mirror, your refrigerator, your notebooks, anywhere you will see them on a daily basis. This will help you keep your eyes on the prize and remember that it鈥檚 all worth it at the end of the day.

Grab a cup of coffee with a mentor or a nurse friend to talk through your struggles and get their advice. Odds are they were standing in your shoes once or even many times and can provide guidance on how to overcome burnout. Your mentor or friend can share their own reasons for becoming a nurse and staying in the field, which could serve as additional inspiration.

2. Take Personal Time

One of the best things you can do to avoid burnout (and to recover from it) is to maintain a healthy school-work-life balance, which means working some downtime into your schedule. It may feel impossible to do when you鈥檙e juggling classes, clinical rounds, and possibly a job and family responsibilities, but it鈥檚 critical for your mental health and your ability to successfully complete your nursing program.

Give yourself a break from the grueling demands of nursing school by taking the following actions:

Spend time with a family and friends outside of your normal study environment (i.e.,
off-campus or outside your home).

Pick up a hobby, and try to choose a hobby with a physical component such as drawing, painting, gardening, playing an instrument, yoga, etc. One study found that engagement in physical leisure activities for 20 minutes or more at least once a week .

Schedule breaks into your study time, and dedicate that time to something that will relax you physically and/or mentally, such as stretching, taking a walk, or socializing.

Unplug during your downtime. Try shutting off your phone during your breaks or leisure time, or at least silence your notifications. This will help you focus on relaxing without distractions and reminders about things you have to do.

3. Get Some Exercise

When you exercise, you , such as adrenaline and cortisol, and you start producing more endorphins, which lift your mood and act as Mother Nature鈥檚 painkillers. So not only is exercise good for your cardiovascular system and other systems in your body, but it also relieves stress and improves mental well-being.

In addition to aerobic exercise, you can also use breathing and mental exercises (such as meditation) to keep your body strong and your mind at ease.

4. Nourish Your Body

It鈥檚 simple advice, but it鈥檚 essential for keeping your body fueled up so you鈥檒l have the stamina to power through those all-nighter study sessions and long shifts in your clinicals.

One study of healthcare staff in Australia showed that healthier eating indicators are associated with less burnout. Make sure to eat a well-rounded diet from all the recommended food groups in healthy portions, avoid foods that will make you crash (i.e., foods high in carbs and sugar), and do your best not to skip meals.

You should also be careful not to consume too much alcohol, as it鈥檚 easy for stressed-out students to form unhealthy drinking habits that negatively impact them both physically and mentally.

For more healthy eating tips, check out our Decompression Session post 鈥�5 Beneficial Foods by Body Part.鈥�

5. Join a Study Group

If you鈥檙e feeling overwhelmed with all the cramming you鈥檙e doing, joining a study group may help take some of the pressure off. Studying with others can help break up the monotony, give you fresh perspectives on the material you鈥檙e learning, and help you work in some socialization time.

Research from Stanford University shows that when people work together in a group, they are to complete the task at hand, they are less likely to feel tired from the task, and their performance on the task improves.

Check out our Study Buddy with tips on how to run an effective in-person study group, as well as an effective virtual study group. Or if you don鈥檛 want to join a formal study group, just try hitting the books and medical terminology flashcards with a friend. You may find yourself feeling more energized and motivated and less burned out.

For more helpful health tips to get you through nursing school, read more of 奥颁鲍鈥檚
Decompression Session posts

The post Decompression Session: How to Avoid Nursing School Burnout & Rediscover Your Calling appeared first on 国产主播.

You know the drill: Cram, test, repeat. But if you鈥檙e a serious student, that鈥檚 not good enough. You鈥檙e here to learn, not just pass exams. When you buckle down and study, you want to retain the information, both short- and long-term.

In the short term, you need to pass your tests in order to graduate. In the long term, you鈥檝e got your whole career ahead of you, and preparing for that career is the whole point of your education. If you learn how to hold on to all the important knowledge you鈥檙e gleaning now, you鈥檒l be a lot better off later, when you鈥檙e actually on the job.

There are some tricks you can use to help your study material stick, and there are some habits you might have now that you should break. Knowing what to do, and what not to do, can make a big difference in learning retention.

This Study Buddy session is about study skills for memory. We鈥檝e compiled a list of five best practices to better retain information when studying:

1. Teach Someone Else the Material

We鈥檙e used to studying as an exercise in incoming information, but flipping the switch and directing the material outward can actually help you learn it better and hold onto it longer. Reverse the roles and teach your material to someone else. This is called , which means that you learn something better when you鈥檙e going to be expected to teach it later.

The mere expectation of having to teach back instructs your brain to codify and consolidate the information. It鈥檚 a challenge to understand comprehensively and be able to explain cohesively, and your brain wants to be prepared. And it鈥檚 effective 鈥� that students who implement this technique perform better on tests.

This is a great exercise to do with your study group, or study buddy, if you have one. Take turns teaching the text back to each other. If your partner or team doesn鈥檛 know the material, they can ask questions with fresh eyes, which might lead you to think more critically, or track down information to fill the gaps. If your partner or team already knows the material, they can use the questions to quiz you on the fly.

2. Use Relational Learning

Put whatever you鈥檙e studying in the context of something you already know. You can use something you鈥檝e learned previously on the same subject and see how the topics cross pollinate, or you can relate it to something else entirely.

When you have something that鈥檚 already familiar and you make an association with something new, you create learning . This can be as simple as comparing one fact or set of facts to another. Here鈥檚 an ABC example: Let鈥檚 say you have three apples and four oranges. Because you鈥檙e learning the number of oranges in relation to the apples, you鈥檙e more likely not only to remember that there are more, but also other things about the oranges in relation to the apples (color, size, smell).

The same applies to a more complex comparison. Take the oranges and apples above and replace them with organs in the body for anatomy class. As you learn each body part, think about how it鈥檚 similar or different from another organ you鈥檝e already studied. Double bonus: You won鈥檛 just get relational learning with regard to the new topic, but you鈥檒l be reinforcing what you already know about the other.

3. Take Practice Tests

Fun fact: You can actually learn during a test, not just beforehand. Doing practice tests puts your memory through its paces, and trains it to remember what you want it to. When you鈥檙e taking a practice test, your memory may have to work to find the answers, but once it does (or you draw a complete blank and have to look it up after) you reinforce the recall for next time, when you鈥檙e actually going to be graded.

Furthermore, taking a lot of practice tests is to enhance your recall and promote a deeper understanding of the subject. The brain is naturally selective, and can鈥檛 recall everything it has seen, heard, read or otherwise learned. But you can train that selection if you teach your brain鈥攖hrough testing鈥攚hat it is more likely to have to recall.

There鈥檚 one more upside to frequent practice tests. In addition to improving recall, you鈥檙e also getting a grip on exam-day anxiety. Doing several low-stakes dry runs of the testing experience can help you fear the actual test less, so you can relax, recall, and score high.

4. Multitasking Is a Myth

Think you鈥檙e a master multitasker? We鈥檝e got bad news鈥攜ou aren鈥檛. It鈥檚 not your fault. It鈥檚 because multitasking is already figured out you can鈥檛 watch TV and study simultaneously (and if you haven鈥檛, we鈥檒l save you some time, you can鈥檛), you might still be under the hopeful illusion that you can jump around between tasks and topics to cover more ground while studying. This is also multitasking, and it鈥檚 actually a pretty inefficient way to learn. It鈥檚 also a great way to make mistakes.

Instead, make friends with 鈥渕onotasking.鈥� Choose one topic or one exercise, and truly immerse yourself, even if it鈥檚 just for a short while. This might try your patience at first, because you鈥檙e going to have to stop thinking about everything else you have to do and learn, but remind yourself that you鈥檙e actually stockpiling time by learning the material correctly, so you won鈥檛 have to relearn it later.

Again, this doesn鈥檛 mean you need to dedicate a full day to one subject. In fact, there鈥檚 value in studying subjects in proximity to each other, because you鈥檒l create connections that will give you a deeper understanding of the larger educational whole. Your understanding of each topic can inform your understanding of the next. But make sure you鈥檙e sincerely moving from one subject to another, instead of playing topic hopscotch.

5. Avoid Cramming

The pre-exam cram might seem unavoidable, even inevitable鈥� but please let go of this misconception. Coffee-fueled all-nighters are often cast as a habit of the truly dedicated student, but the benefits of cramming are a myth. In fact, it can do more harm than good. Here鈥檚 why:

There鈥檚 a word for the instinct to make judgments about our own minds: . We believe鈥攁nd it seems logical enough鈥攖hat forcing ourselves to consume material in a concentrated fashion is an efficient way to learn it. The problem is that during a cramming session your brain is as focused on the act of learning as it is the material. You think you鈥檙e laser focused, but you鈥檙e actually splitting focus.

In reality, you鈥檙e much better off spacing out your study over time, using 鈥溾�� This is equally logical. Think about it like exercise (hey look, we鈥檙e doing 鈥渞elational learning鈥� now!). Say you want to run a half-marathon. You have two training options: You can run 13 miles twice the day before; or you can slowly build muscles and stamina over months. Option two, right?

Let鈥檚 take it a step further. Perhaps you鈥檙e wondering, 鈥渃an鈥檛 I do both鈥�? Let鈥檚 go back to the comparison. Even if you鈥檝e built up good muscle and stamina over time, will running two half marathons the day before help you perform the next day? No 鈥� you鈥檒l be exhausted, and you might even hurt yourself. So plan ahead and space it out.

Ready to Test with Confidence?

Stick to the tips above to maximize your testing memory, and you鈥檒l not only be able to walk into exam day with more confidence, but you鈥檒l set yourself up for the all-important longer-term retention of material for when it鈥檚 time to put your studies to use. After all, that鈥檚 what your education is for!

The post Study Buddy: 5 Science-Based Study Skills for Memory Retention appeared first on 国产主播.

In this edition of our Study Buddy series, we talk about the essential art of note-taking, and how to hone your technique so you鈥檙e not just taking information down, you鈥檙e taking information in.

Everyone absorbs material differently, and different students benefit from different learning styles. You can鈥檛 always control how your classes are run, but you do have some control over how you chronicle and retain each topic. The good news is there鈥檚 some research around student note-taking, that can help guide you to a better process, from lecture to test.

Let鈥檚 start with what your instrument of note-taking should be:

Laptop vs. Notebook: What鈥檚 Better?

You might find doing everything on your laptop 鈥� including taking notes 鈥� convenient, but here鈥檚 the inconvenient truth: You鈥檙e better off taking notes the old way, on paper. There are reasons for this, including both downsides to typing your notes and upsides to using a notebook. Both have studies to back them up.

One of the downsides to using your computer to take notes is obvious: distraction. When you open your laptop you鈥檝e got the whole Internet at your fingertips鈥� and fingertips tend to wander when your focus does. that students using laptops for notes in class were engaged with non-coursework material a whopping 42% of the time!

Even if you鈥檙e not a tabs nomad, any email or message notification might pop up and interrupt your flow. In addition to distraction (check out our post of The Myth of Multitasking here) students who take their notes on a laptop tend to transcribe material rather than process it, which can result in shallower learning and poorer performance on conceptual questions in testing.

The upsides of taking notes by hand begin with the converse of the above: the absence of online distraction and the tendency to take notes by concept versus transcription. But beyond that, there are some to choose paper over screen in note-taking. Handwriting notes is correlated with better memory of the material, for one. In fact, there鈥檚 reason to believe relying on digital means to store your information can cause of your memory skills in general.

Want it both ways? There are apps you can use to scan and digitize your handwritten notes, so you can organize them on your laptop and access them later. A 鈥渟mart notebook鈥� like comes with an app that transcribes your handwritten notes into type, so you can organize and access them easily for later review.

Speaking of Apps鈥�

There are many apps and programs available that can help you take and organize your notes. Popular ones include Evernote, Apple Notes, and Bear, but there are dozens to choose from. Apps can be particularly helpful for students with learning differences who may have difficulty taking traditional notes. These apps can also help you pull research from the web, archive your handwritten notes, and share notes and materials with your study buddies.

We recommend using apps as a supplement to longform note-taking, for the reasons described above. You also might be tempted to utilize AI for your notes. There are already AI programs that can summarize a verbal lecture, article, or text. A word of caution: As this technology evolves and offers shortcuts and conveniences to students, don鈥檛 let it replace your learning. Make sure you fully engage with your study materials 鈥� having a truncated version summarized for you by a computer might save you time now, but won鈥檛 help your performance on test day.

Note-Taking Technique: Types and Tips

As we like to say: Different pen strokes for different folks. Once you鈥檝e got your notepad and writing utensil, it鈥檚 time to decide how to use them. There are multiple schools of thought on the best technique for taking notes, but it really comes down to the individual. We鈥檝e provided a quick overview of some popular styles of note-taking below. One might jump out at you, or maybe you鈥檒l want to try them all and find the one that works for you. Maybe you鈥檒l even invent your own hybrid technique, using a mix of the three types below:

1. Outlining

This is probably the most familiar method to take notes, and there鈥檚 a reason it鈥檚 the go-to, particularly for the beginner note-taker. Outlining is merely creating a hierarchical structure of the information. While you might choose to develop your own hierarchy for outlining notes, feel free to keep it as simple as:

• Topic
  • Subtopic
    • Details

This style of note taking will encourage you to distill the points being made in the text or lecture, and will create a cascade of information to help you revisit it later. Its beauty is in its simplicity. Once you master your basic notes outline, you may want to add in some other techniques. For example, if your professor has a tendency to jump back to an earlier topic, you might leave space to go back and add to a particular area, or develop a numbering system so you know which parts of your outline relate to each other directly.

2. The Cornell Method

This is a notes system with an Ivy League reputation to back it up. It was invented by Cornell education professor Walter Pauk, and it鈥檚 essentially a variation on outlining. Here鈥檚 the method in five steps:

1. Draw a horizontal line two-thirds of the way down the page.
2. Divide the area above the horizontal line with a vertical line, leaving more space on the right.
3. Use the top-left section to write keywords that come up in the material.
4. Use the top-right section to add details about the keyword topics.
5. Use the bottom third of the page to summarize the material as a whole at the end of your lecture or chapter.

This technique is particularly useful for subjects that deal with concepts and themes that lend themselves to summary. It may not serve you as well with material that involves a lot of memorization of terminology, formulas, and detailed minutiae.

3. Mapping

This technique is great for visual learners, and also for material that is more abstract or cross-relates because it requires you to visually place each concept relative to the others. There are a few ways to organize your map:

• Top-Down: Write the overarching theme or topic at the top, then connect it to its sub-themes or -topics with a line, working downward.
• Center-Out: Write the overarching theme or topic in the center and encircle it with subtopics so they radiate out from the main topic.

Whichever map style you choose, remember to leave yourself enough space to fill out the whole map. You only have so much page space to work with, and this technique doesn鈥檛 lend itself well to continuing on to another page.

Effective note-taking may make use of all three of these techniques, as they best serve the material at hand, so feel free to mix it up!

Fun Fact: Doodling Is Cool

Doodling in class used to be a big no-no, like chewing gum or passing notes. Those days are gone, since a demonstrated that absentminded doodling while listening to a lesson or lecture may actually help you learn. In that particular study, participants who doodled recalled 29% more information than those who didn鈥檛!

The hypothesis attributes this counterintuitive advantage largely to the strain the brain experiences while required to focus continuously. Doodling keeps the brain active when it would prefer to shut down, plus it provides stress relief that improves focus. And because doodling is by nature creative, it helps your brain think creatively about the educational problems and questions at hand.

Doodling during or between study is helpful, but it should be limited. Try to keep a doodle break under 30 minutes or, if you鈥檙e doodling during a lecture, keep listening. This is one of the ultra-rare examples of a multitasking win.

One Last Note鈥�

All of the science and strategy of note-taking here is for the taking鈥� or leaving. Find what works for you. Maybe you like to make your notes in color, or go back over your notes with a highlighter, or have a particular underlining technique.

Got bad handwriting? Who cares, as long as you can read it. Terrible at drawing? Doesn鈥檛 matter; this isn鈥檛 an art show. The more you tailor your note-taking skills to yourself, the more you can start to find some enjoyment 鈥� or at least satisfaction 鈥� in what might sometimes feel like a chore. And no matter how you take your notes, remember to go back through them. Typing them up, distilling them further or cleaning up your notes is a great way to reinforce what you鈥檝e learned.

Got an innovative note-taking strategy of your own? Come share it with your fellow students on our Facebook聽 or Instagram聽 page!

The post Study Buddy: Note-Taking Master Class appeared first on 国产主播.

Online students, this one鈥檚 for you. But not just for you. In the age of online study 鈥減ost-Covid鈥� and the digital wonderland we all live in at least part-time, getting a group together often means firing up your computer (and for some of us, Ring lamp). We reside in a camera-ready-from-the-waist-up, pajamas-from-the-waist-down world. We study there, too.

On or offline, studying with your fellow students is a great way to get your material down, so we鈥檝e got some online study group tips to help you increase the effectiveness of your study time and minimize technical hiccups. We鈥檒l focus mostly on the online considerations here, but some tips apply to study groups both online and IRL.

(Make sure to also check out our post on the six steps for starting a study group, which is focused more on in-person study sessions.)

Here are the steps and tips for hosting your virtual study group:

Choose a Virtual Meeting App

You may already have a virtual meeting app (or two or three) installed. If you have a favorite that you know inside and out and you plan to be the study group emcee, ask your group-mates to download it. Let the group weigh in, but settle on one platform that everyone can install and get to know. Here are a few of the most commonly used apps to consider:

• : This app is so widely adopted, it鈥檚 become a verb, like 鈥淕oogle.鈥� Zoom has an intuitive interface, and odds are others already have it.
• : This platform is formerly known as Google Meet and is often preferred by those already using Google for all their word processing, email, and organizational needs.
• : Many companies use this, since they鈥檙e already using Microsoft Suite software. Only one member of the group needs to subscribe and it鈥檒l work for all.

There are many more options. Do some research if none of the above appeal to you. Many apps have different features like breakout rooms and whiteboards that you may be interested in using. Some meeting apps are free, some are paid, and some have subscription tiers with a paywall to host longer meetings or use additional features. If you use a paid version specifically for your study group, you can consider asking everyone to chip in. Typically only the meeting host needs the paid version for the additional time to extend to all attendees.

Learn the App

Once you settle on a video conferencing app, get to know it. Take a tutorial, click through the menu, go spelunking. Do a dry run (maybe a good excuse for a video call with Mom?) to make sure you know how to use things like screen share and adding a co-host. You don鈥檛 want to have to try to figure it out on the fly in the middle of your online study session.

Ask your study group to do the same. Even if you鈥檙e hosting, give everyone the pre-homework of downloading (or updating) the app, learning the basics, and testing their camera and audio.

Pro tip: If you鈥檙e planning to share your screen, spend a little extra time on this feature to avoid an embarrassing mishap. If you don鈥檛 want your peers to see your open tabs or any other document you have open, make sure you know how to share a specific document and not your entire desktop. Or at least make a mental note to close out anything personal or sensitive before you open the meeting.

Set Up Your Space

You might already have a dedicated space in your home for video calls, but if not, put together an ergonomic area so all you need to do is log on when you鈥檙e ready. Here鈥檚 a quick list of what your space should include:

• Wall Plug: Make sure your setup is close to a power source. Video calls drain battery, so stay plugged in to avoid a surprise shut-down or having to jump up and go plug-hunting.
• Check Your Backdrop: Unless you鈥檙e planning to blur your background with the app, make sure there鈥檚 nothing distracting or inappropriate sharing the screen with you.
• Find Your Light: This seems obvious, but part of the point of the video meeting is seeing each other. Make sure you have adequate light so people can make you out.
• Interruption-Proof Your Space: If you can, find a room you can close yourself off in. Dogs, kids, and roommates wandering into frame might be delightful, but also a distraction.

The above concerns online study session setup, but feel free to also read our post with more tips on how to set up your personal study space for success.

Before Your First Study Session

We already covered the app setup, but here鈥檚 a to-do list for before your first group meeting. If you鈥檙e the group鈥檚 admin, you can take care of all of these tasks, but you can also ask people in the group to take on individual responsibilities.

• Gather the emails of everyone in your study group.
• Use the app to schedule the session (recurring or ad-hoc) and send invites.
• Send out a proposed agenda at least a day in advance and invite input.
• Ask everyone to check for application updates before the meeting to avoid login delays.
• Disseminate any study materials everyone will be working with so others have time to download and print if they like.

Consider emailing the gang to create a thread for your group so you can easily collect requests and input about how the group will be run. Someone might have a great idea or need some kind of special accommodation. This can be an ongoing thread so you can make adjustments to your group over time.

Virtual Study Session Etiquette

Manners matter. At the beginning of your first session, set some ground rules for etiquette. In addition to the common courtesies we all know and love (be attentive, keep it civil, come prepared) there are a few additional considerations for an online meetup:

• Cameras On: Ask everyone to keep their cameras on. We鈥檙e all 鈥渉ere鈥� to interact, and seeing each other’s faces demonstrates you鈥檙e there and engaged. You can allow for members to shut off cameras in special circumstances or briefly if they need to.
• Noises Off: Sometimes there鈥檚 background noise that can鈥檛 be helped. Kids, dogs, planes, trains, and automobiles will inevitably find their way into your study soundscape. Ask people to be mindful and mute temporarily if the noise on their end becomes intrusive.
• Get Dressed: A study session is an informal gathering so you can keep it casual, but remember that you鈥檙e still in polite company. Our cheeky 鈥減ajamas-from-the-waist-down鈥� comment aside, please do wear pants in case you need to stand up, and keep it appropriate from the waist up as well.
• Minimize Cross-Talk: Live online discussions can be tricky to moderate. One good way to mitigate everyone talking over each other or having more than one conversation at a time is to limit your group size, so the conversation can be easier to control.
• Take Turns: Depending on your session format, it might be helpful to have some structure around who talks and when. Try not to interrupt, and if you do, check yourself and shush. Some apps have a 鈥渉and raised鈥� function that can keep the conversation moving in an orderly fashion.

The most important ground rule is also probably going to be the hardest to enforce: getting started. As people filter in to your session, they鈥檒l start to check in and chat. We鈥檙e all friends here, so that鈥檚 okay, but put a time limit on it. Tell everyone you鈥檒l be kicking off the first topic promptly ten minutes after the session starts. This will also help people be on time.

If it helps, set an actual timer for this. That way you don鈥檛 have to interrupt the lively conversation鈥攜ou can outsource that to a digital noisemaker. When the buzzer goes off, whoever is mid-sentence can finish that sentence, and then it鈥檚 time to hit the books.

If you like, you can also leave the study group video call open for an extra half hour at the end, so anyone who wants to can stay and socialize. That way, members who would love to catch up can, and those who are just there to cram can sign off and get on with their day.

Miscellaneous Virtual Study Group Considerations

To wrap things up, here鈥檚 a grab bag of other considerations to help you create your virtual study group and keep it humming. You might come up with a few hacks of your own as well.

• If people in your group are in different time zones, try to find a 鈥渕eet in the middle鈥� time that works for everyone, or take turns with time zones.
• Open every meeting five minutes early. This gives you time to check your tech, get settled, and admire your own face until others join.
• Invite the group to add questions to the chat. That way you don鈥檛 have to interrupt discussion. Monitor the chat during the meeting and before you close out, make sure everything has been addressed.
• Also use the live chat function to send out any quick links or references for later. People can cut and paste them for their own use.
• If it makes sense, record your study session, especially if there鈥檚 going to be discussion or exercises that might benefit a member who can鈥檛 join for whatever reason. Always ask permission before recording. (Some apps will do this for you.)
• If you鈥檙e hosting, add a co-host when you open the meeting. This gives someone else shared control if you have to leave abruptly or have a technical snafu on your end.

We hope you enjoyed this edition of 奥颁鲍鈥檚 Study Buddy series. Good luck with your group!

The post Study Buddy: How to Host a Virtual Study Group appeared first on 国产主播.

In this installment of our Study Buddy series, we鈥檙e taking a look at how to get more bang for your books.

Even if you love to learn, there鈥檚 no point in studying more than you need to. In fact, there鈥檚 plenty of evidence that allotting some breathing room between study sessions will actually . But there are ways you can study more efficiently so when you take those hard-earned breaks, you鈥檙e taking the material with you.

Some of these techniques will help you learn better by unlearning study strategies for students that are more myth than method. Others will require a small amount of setup and discipline. And all of them will pay off in better comprehension and retention that will help you get the most out of your education. 

Below are three adjustments you can make to your current study habits to level up your study 鈥淎 Game鈥� (double meaning intended). Study hard, but not harder than you have to. Here鈥檚 how:

Results-Oriented Reading: The SQ3R Method

Ever read a sentence, a page鈥攅ven a whole chapter鈥攐f your textbook, only to realize you don鈥檛 remember any of it? This usually happens because your mind starts to wander from the page and off on its own adventure. This isn鈥檛 your fault. Nobody has an endless attention span, and textbooks generally aren鈥檛 as riveting as, say, that Netflix show you鈥檝e been binging.

You鈥檝e already learned to read. But how do you read to learn? How can you lock in on your assigned reading and lock down the information? Enter a technique called that can help you absorb and retain. Here鈥檚 how it works:

• S(urvey): This means scanning the text for the big ideas and overall context. Read the first paragraph, the first and last sentences of each subsequent paragraph, and the last paragraph or conclusion. As you do, read any headlines and spend a moment or two with any illustrations. 

• Q(uestion): Now write down questions based on what you鈥檝e just skimmed. It might help to take any headlines and reword them as questions. This is a way to reframe the information in a different way and better understand the objective of the content. What questions are being asked? What questions does this text seek to answer? Why?

• R(ead): Now read the text fully. You鈥檒l have an easier time absorbing it now that you鈥檝e got the lay of the land. See how it answers the questions you鈥檝e written down. This is also a good time to take notes and highlight.

• R(eview): Go back through your questions and make sure you鈥檝e found answers to all of them. Do you see the big picture? Do the pieces add up? Do you feel like you understand the material? If not, go back to your notes and fill in the gaps.

• R(ecite): Now talk yourself through it, out loud, in your own words. This will imprint and reinforce the information you鈥檝e absorbed visually in a different way, which can help you with retention and personalizing your understanding.

It sounds like a lot of steps, but it鈥檚 much more efficient than reading and re-reading text with no strategy, and much more effective at driving home an actual comprehension and the intention of the text. 

Multitasking vs. Monotasking

It鈥檚 tempting to think you can tackle more than one thing at a time. There鈥檚 one problem: It鈥檚 . We all desperately want to believe in the myth of the multitasker, but the inconvenient truth is if you鈥檙e jumping back and forth between work, you鈥檙e being much less efficient than if you hone in on one task. You鈥檒l also make more mistakes.

So monotask: Pick one thing and, even if it鈥檚 just for a short period of time, focus on just that. Then move to another. Abandon the myth. Embrace the science. Master the art of monotasking.

Okay, okay, there are exceptions. If you鈥檙e absolutely addicted to two-for-one productivity, take a or a . Both are proven to encourage creative thought, so next time you鈥檝e got writer鈥檚 block on that essay or are struggling with a solution, you can think it through while you get clean or get some exercise.

Optimize Your Study Setup

One way to save time and stay focused is to make sure you have everything you need within arm鈥檚 reach before you start studying. Make sure your laptop is plugged in so you won鈥檛 have to go cord hunting later. Place a glass of water (or your study beverage of choice) on your desk, within reach but out of spill range. Keep a hoodie or a sweater on the back of your chair so you can layer up or down without getting up. And organize any study materials you鈥檒l be using. 

And at the end of each study session, do a little study space housekeeping. Organize your notes and materials. Put away anything you鈥檙e done with, and place whatever you鈥檒l want to return to in an accessible spot. Leaving your study space in order ensures the next time you sit down, you鈥檒l be able to dive right into your next subject instead of wasting your precious motivation clearing out and cleaning up.

If you really want to create the optimal study space, check out our other Study Buddy post, Good Study Hygiene, for tips on how to set up, set the mood, and create your own little study cockpit right at home. 

Ready for a Break?

If you followed the study tips above, you鈥檝e earned one! And you can enjoy a little leisure knowing you鈥檝e improved your efficiency and focus. Particularly when midterms and exams close in, you鈥檒l be glad you鈥檝e got your skills, habits, and space queued up for maximum study productivity.

Keep up with our blog for more study tips for students!

The post Study Buddy: How to Study More Efficiently appeared first on 国产主播.

Studying is hard. But you don鈥檛 have to do it alone.

Starting a study group is an excellent way to enhance your learning experience, and not just at test-prep time. One of the top reasons to consider making study a team sport is accountability鈥攆or some of us, having others counting on us to be present is the best way to make sure we show up, both physically and mentally.

But there鈥檚 more. When you study together, you鈥檒l get access to each other鈥檚 interpretations of the material and secret study hacks.

And don鈥檛 underestimate team spirit! One of the first things we recommend you do after compiling your study group is picking a name. Get creative and keep it on theme. This way you鈥檒l get a little emotional reward every time you see an email from your 鈥淏rain Busters鈥� thread in your inbox.

Ready to assemble? Follow these steps for a successful study squad:

1. Pick Your People

Recruiting the right gang is both the first and most important step in building an effective study group. And do think of it as a team, with players chosen for complementary strengths. It鈥檚 okay if your study group includes friends, but that shouldn鈥檛 be the only requirement. Choose people who are committed and collaborative.

Keep your group small鈥�three to five members is a good ballpark target鈥攜ou want everyone to have ample time to contribute and participate. Try to keep your group as consistent as possible, but it鈥檚 safe to assume not everyone will be able to make every meetup. If schedules are difficult to coordinate, you can consider opening up a larger group, so if people need to rotate in and out, you鈥檒l have enough attendance to get the most out of each session.

2. Establish the Rules and Roles

Do this at your first meeting. It鈥檚 important to level expectations and make sure everyone agrees to the group etiquette upfront. Make sure all members have equal input and agency in the group. (This is not a dictatorship!) Speaking of which, start by determining roles for the group. Here鈥檚 our recommended makeup:

• Group Coordinator: This is the person who manages scheduling and communication with the group, creates a snack sign-up sheet (more on that below), etc.
• Session Leader: Your leader emcees the actual sessions: kicking things off, keeping track of session timing, calling breaks, etc. This should be someone who doesn鈥檛 mind intervening if the group loses focus.
• Materials Wrangler: Someone needs to make sure you have all the materials you need for study. Lots of this should be BYO, but this member can print out and distribute any practice sheets, etc.
• Understudy(ies): You can have more than one of these. For any of the roles above, this member is on call to sub in, in the event another team member needs to tap out.

These roles can change, as needed. If someone is well suited to a particular role and doesn鈥檛 mind taking it on permanently, by all means, let them take initiative. But allow for some flexibility if people would like to rotate in and out of different responsibilities.

Speaking of responsibility, consider the unfortunate possibility of a group member not working out. This could be purely logistical, like a schedule that is impossible to coordinate or, in rare circumstances, the issue of someone not being a productive member of the group. In either case, decisions about changing your group鈥檚 membership should always be by committee and handled with diplomacy.

3. Set a Schedule (and a Timer)

Have a regular session cadence and ask everyone to commit. This can be whatever makes sense for the group: weekly, monthly, or timed around testing events. Once your group is up and running, it will become clear if you need to adjust the schedule.

Some members may want to meet more often, and there鈥檚 nothing wrong with leaving the option open for 鈥渂reakout sessions鈥� where a member can call an ad-hoc, elective meetup for extra preparation or to spend more time on a certain topic.

You also need to decide how long each session will last and how you鈥檒l break it up. We recommend no fewer than two hours, and a maximum of four. (Exceptions can be made for marathon sessions leading up to exams.) Assume 15 minutes up top for everyone to arrive, settle in, and catch up. After that, you can break it up into sprints and breaks. So, an example session could be:

• Settle in/Set up (15 minutes)
• Sprint 1 (45 minutes)
• Break (10 minutes)
• Sprint 2 (45 minutes)
• Snack Break (15 minutes)
• Sprint 3 (30 minutes)
• Recap/Assignments (10 minutes)
• Cleanup (10 minutes)

Feel free to adjust the length of your sprints and breaks as needed, but plan your sprints ahead. Do you want to spend the whole session reviewing anatomy? Great. Would you rather swap up topics? Also fine. You can even spend one sprint on quiet reading time.

Consider throwing in some activities, like a 鈥渓ightning round鈥� at the end, or taking a quick practice quiz and then grading each other鈥檚 answers. For some topics, that might involve critical thinking over facts (ethics, for example) that may call for group discussion.

4. Location, Location, Location

First: Choose a location that鈥檚 comfortable but functional, with enough seating for everyone and enough work surface for materials. A group member鈥檚 home or dorm room will do, or if your school has classrooms available at night or spaces at the library that allow for discussion, you can take advantage of those facilities. Try to find something that鈥檚 convenient for everyone. Hopefully you鈥檙e all in the same part of town, but if not, pick something central, if possible.

Second: Consider rotating through multiple locations. We go into this in more detail in another one of our posts, 鈥�3 Learning Myths Busted,鈥� but the reason for rotating study locations is that there鈥檚 evidence you鈥檒l have better recall on test day (and in general) if you鈥檝e reviewed the material in multiple settings. It might make practical sense to take turns hosting, anyway.

5. Maintain Good Study Group Etiquette

Good team morale starts with good manners. Keep good attendance, arrive on time but not early, offer to help with setup, and always help with cleanup. Make sure you鈥檙e not dominating the conversation鈥攇ive the more introverted in your group a turn.

Etiquette is important in other ways, too. Observe 鈥渃ampground rules鈥� and clean up after yourself. Respect that everyone learns differently and at a different pace. Leave any negativity at the door, and if you鈥檙e sick, sit the session out (or Zoom in).

And bring snacks! Sustenance is important. Consider setting up a rotating 鈥渟nack duty鈥� sign-up sheet. Ask if anyone has food allergies or dietary restrictions, and shop accordingly. To avoid 鈥渇ood coma,鈥� choose foods that will keep everyone alert. Think brain foods like nuts and fruits, and if the group so desires, some coffee. Having something to munch or sip on can help break up the slog of a particularly challenging subject.

6. Have a Reward System

And, last but not least, celebrate together. Keep the socializing during sessions to a minimum (we鈥檙e looking at you, session leader), but plan something fun for after exams. Go out to dinner, go bowling, catch a movie鈥攑ick something recreational and/or leisurely where you can appreciate your hard work and each other in a study-free setting.

Once you get your study group up and running, come share your group name with us on and !

The post Study Buddy: 6 Steps to Starting a Study Group appeared first on 国产主播.

When you鈥檙e a student, your study area is a sacred space. Studying nursing is a challenging pursuit requiring focus and discipline鈥攂ut there are ways to make your study time more pleasant or and even inviting.

Why not work in a place that makes you feel clear-minded and comfortable? Why not Zen your space? No purchase necessary (okay maybe a few small, inexpensive supplies). Creating an environment where you can settle in, calm down, temporarily block out the world and focus may only take a few adjustments to your current setup.

We put together five simple study space tips to transform the area you might associate with stress into your own private study oasis. And since you鈥檙e a student nurse with a scientific sensibility, we explain why each tip is rooted in science and cultural tradition.

1. Feng Shui

Feng shui is a Chinese tradition dating back to ancient times, conceived as the art of creating harmony with your environment. According to feng shui, your desk is a 鈥渃ommanding object鈥�: an object of special importance that . Therefore, its placement and the arrangement of other furniture and objects around it will have an effect on your career pursuits鈥攚hich of course includes study鈥攁ccording to feng shui.

You can take your feng shui as far as you want, but at a minimum, position your desk so you can see the door, but at an indirect angle. Feng shui also recommends decluttering and removing any objects that interrupt the flow of your space. Some of the basics of feng shui-ing your space include cleanliness, clear lines of sight, and the integration of decor to highlight the vertical lines in your study area.

2. Aromatherapy

A pleasant scent always adds atmosphere to a room, but there are some that are particularly good for your workspace. May we suggest rosemary? This herb has romance and a literary legacy as a boon to memory鈥攜ou need only pick up a copy of Hamlet and flip to act IV, scene V to read 鈥渢here鈥檚 rosemary; that鈥檚 for remembrance.鈥�

Want some science to back it up? One study confirmed that , as subjects who were exposed to rosemary performed significantly better on a memory test against subjects exposed to lavender.

There are other aromas that can calm or invigorate you as you learn, and even enhance your productivity. Citrus scents can , cinnamon has been , and peppermint has been proven to lengthen attention span in medical students. Luckily, it鈥檚 easy to find candles and essential oils in almost any scent; or you can fill a bowl with cut lemons, fresh rosemary, cinnamon sticks, or just chew some peppermint gum.

3. Ambient Music

Music can be a powerful mood enhancer, and even a great motivator. Music at a gamma frequency (40 Hz) in particular . The specific music that activates you is very much according to taste, but science shows instrumental music works best for study, because you won鈥檛 be distracted by lyrics.

It鈥檚 up to you what type of instrumental soundtrack you want for your study time. Classical music is an obvious choice, but if you鈥檙e not feeling orchestral, you can find contemporary ambient music to put on a playlist. Check out Brian Eno鈥檚

If you find even ambient or classical music distracting, consider investing in a sound machine and simply play white noise, which has been studied and .

4. Get a Plant!

A houseplant isn鈥檛 just a lively addition to any space鈥攊t鈥檚 a friend to your productivity. First of all, the color green, because of its low wavelength, promotes a calm and focused mind, .

In addition to being (typically) green, houseplants may improve both productivity and happiness. One demonstrated a 12% increase in response time in subjects working near houseplants. And according to the , supported by numerous studies, humans experience a connection with houseplants that creates positive emotions.

If you want to combine efforts, see tip number two and consider a rosemary or peppermint plant. One popular option is a that is meant to bring you good fortune. Don鈥檛 forget to apply water and sunlight to keep your plant as happy as it makes you.

5. Post Your Mantra

Even if you鈥檙e not a meditator, pick a mantra. Or call it a motto. Or maxim. Or battle cry.

Whatever you choose to call it, they should be your words to live by. Mantras have , derived from the perceived power of the primordial intonation 鈥淥m.鈥� But feel free to take a modern approach. Find something self-affirming and inspiring鈥攕omething that when you think or say it to yourself, it moves you. Then write it down and give it a place of honor in your study space. Have it engraved on a placard or just put it up on a Post-It.

However you choose to display it, it will personalize your space and literally imprint it with the energy you seek. Then anytime you feel defeated, unmotivated, or even just want to center yourself, it鈥檚 there to tell you what you need to hear.

That鈥檚 it! Just five easy and cheap tips to Zen your study area. Follow these steps to make your desk not just your workspace, but your happy place.

For another post on how to keep your study space and study habits organized for maximum productivity, check out our Study Buddy post on 鈥�5 Lessons for Good Study 鈥楬ygiene鈥欌��.

The post Decompression Session: 5 Ways to Zen Your Study Space appeared first on 国产主播.

For our latest Study Buddy session, we鈥檙e taking a look at how you can work on your study 鈥渉ygiene.鈥� We鈥檙e not talking about showering while studying (although is a great way to get your creative mind flowing).

No, we鈥檙e talking about habits that will keep your study time, space, and mindset 鈥渃lean鈥� so you can learn with a clear head and minimal interruptions, both internal and external. Study habits of successful students go beyond just good memorization skills, so let鈥檚 delve into a more environmental approach.

The tips below are effective study space ideas, wherever you have chosen to locate it in your home. Others will travel with you, to give you a clean slate to study when you鈥檙e meeting up with a study group or relocating for another reason. (See Study Buddy Mythbusters post to learn about how mixing up your study location is actually a good thing.) 

Lesson 1: Login Laundry

Students log a lot of screen hours. Because you spend so much time on your computer, it makes sense to keep up with your housekeeping. Think of your computer like your bed鈥搚ou spend a third of your life in bed, so you make sure you change the sheets. Same goes for your laptop (or desktop computer).

The following checklist can help you keep screen time distractions to a minimum:

• First, the obvious: Clean your screen once a week. Fingerprints and smudges can contaminate your field of focus.
• Close out your browser tabs. Do this at the start of study time, or at least daily, so you don鈥檛 find yourself migrating back to that saved shopping cart every time you get stuck.
• Declutter your desktop. If you don鈥檛 already have an organized filing system, make a point once a week to archive documents you might need later and trash any you won鈥檛.
• Restart regularly to keep your computer and applications up to date and running smoothly.

Lesson 2: Scrub Your Schedule

Meaning: Clear the part of it you鈥檒l use for studying. Organize your calendar like you would a shelf or a cabinet, with everything in its place. Schedule your study time allotment in whatever cadence you decide you need, ideally not back-to-back with another brain-consuming task so you鈥檙e not thinking ahead to the next task and you can stay present with your study. 

Here are some tips for scrubbing your schedule:

• Go through your calendar and delete any recurring commitments that have expired.
• Block off dedicated study time. If you can, save the time of day you know you鈥檙e most productive.
• Keep your study time like you would any appointment. Be on time and ready to work.
• Track your time. (You can get an app for this.) This will help you stay accountable, and you鈥檒l also enjoy the emotional reward of having a record of your efforts.

Lesson 3: Spruce Up Your Surface

“Whatever you’re using for a desk, this is your sacred study space. It should be comfortable and functional, and you can set it up for efficient study sessions by following a few rules for maintaining an organized and clean study area.

Here鈥檚 how you can improve your optimize your space to help you get settled, stay settled, and study:

• Don鈥檛 let loose papers colonize your space. We recommend a small tabletop file holder where you can consolidate the important stuff. Clearing out worksheets and notes you no longer need can actually be pretty satisfying.
• Place everything you need within arm鈥檚 reach. This can include textbooks, your glasses, a beverage, a snack, and anything else you might want like tissues or eye drops.
• Keep your computer charged and make sure it鈥檚 plugged in so you won鈥檛 have to get up and search for your cord mid-session.
• Place a small waste bin nearby so you can toss any rubbish instead of letting it build up on your study surface. You might also want to consider a small paper shredder.

Lesson 4: Outfit Your Area (and Yourself)

This one applies especially to morning-study types鈥搕hose of us who keep our laptops on the bedside and pull it onto our laps first thing. Instead of going straight for the keyboard, consider completing your morning rituals and get ready for the day. 

Below are a few tips to follow:

• Shower and brush your teeth before you get into the books. Taking care of small morning tasks will clear your brain for learning.
• As tempting as it might be to study in your snuggie, get dressed. Not to the nines, but put on something you鈥檇 wear to the store. 
• Hang a 鈥渟tudy sweater鈥� or 鈥渟tudy sweatshirt鈥� on the back of your chair so you can layer up or down for temperature control without getting up.
• Consider investing in a pair of comfortable 鈥渉ouse shoes鈥� (not slippers). There鈥檚 some that when you have shoes on, your brain kicks into productivity mode. 

Lesson 5: Quiet, Please

When it comes to study time, silence is golden (exemptions made for ambient noise or study-friendly tunes). Clean up your noise pollution. Ringtones and notifications are designed to steal your attention. Figure out the settings on your phone and computer that control your notifications鈥搊nce you know where they are, this will only take a few seconds per session. 

You can reduce noise and other environmental distractions by doing the following:

• Turn off any message or email notifications that will pop up on your screen.
• Silence your phone and place it face down so you won鈥檛 see it light up with messages or calls.
• Consider a white-noise machine if you have a lot of ambient noise outside or indoors.
• If music helps you work, keep your playlist instrumental so the words in your books don鈥檛 compete with the ones in your ears. And try to stick to an album or playlist so you won鈥檛 be interrupted by radio commercials.

The tips above shouldn鈥檛 add more than a few minutes to your routine, as long as you keep up with your study-time 鈥渉ousekeeping.鈥� 

Want to learn more about the ins and outs of study time? Visit our 5 Study Types post to see what type of learner you are. Happy studying!

The post Study Buddy: 5 Lessons for Good Study 鈥楬ygiene鈥� appeared first on 国产主播.