Why study breaks are important

Why study breaks are important

This year’s exam season is anything but “normal”, so we’ve taken a look at why it’s still as important this year to take regular breaks from studying. Please share this with anybody you know who’s busy studying for exams or assessments right now.

It can be difficult to switch off from a hard day’s study. Whilst focussing on your studies is important, it’s just as important to have breaks during the day. Trying to study for endless hours at a time can be counterproductive; instead you should develop a study routine that works for you.

Benefits of taking study breaks include:

Improved memory

Studies have shown that taking short breaks between sessions of learning can improve your knowledge retention

Energy boost

It’s common to feel drained of energy when you’re concentrating all your attention on one task. So why not allow your body to recover with a little rest. Maybe try a power nap of 10-20 minutes, this could help you feel revitalised and ready for your next study session!

Reduce stress

Taking breaks can relieve and reduce stress levels. The pressure of exams can lead to a state of heightened or constant worry and even chronic stress. These levels of high stress can have both a physical and mental impact on students; so, make sure you include study breaks in your schedule through the day.

Performance and creativity boost

If you get bogged down and stuck whilst trying to solve a problem, or find a new and creative way of tackling an activity – take a break! Rest and do something different, you may well find you come up with some new ideas on how to tackle your issue.

If you find you’re struggling to give yourself a break then you might want to create a study timetable. You can schedule in study time and breaks to this timetable, it should help you focus during the study sessions and give you time away from your studies when the breaks are scheduled. Perhaps set yourself a timer to keep you focussed during your study sessions and to be sure you don’t end up spending too long having breaks!

When deciding what to do during your study breaks, keep in mind that different methods work for different people. It’s good to vary different break activities to find which is the most effective in making you feel refreshed. Try walking, cycling, swimming, football or that power nap; they can all be effective!