Study, sleep, class, repeat – Read helpful hints on how to keep your cool when it comes to school

Has your five-minute procrastination break turned into an hour? Well stay right there this will only take another minute.

This post will identify some ways to help you stay focused throughout the ‘never-ending’ school cycle, offer some tips on how to talk to professors, and suggest ways to beat the mid-semester blues.

School has been the most important responsibility of mine for as long as I can remember. As students we are strapped to the conveyer belt and filtered through the school system to identify how we will become productive members of society. If you are like me then you can appreciate all the benefits this system has, but also see the major flaws traditional schooling has for the coming generation. So the question remains; what can you do?

Make a Study Schedule

The last thing you want is to walk into an exam that you are not prepared for. I suggest compiling a list of assignments, tests, and quizzes with detailed information on what you need to learn. Having a master list to refer to will help you identify areas of strength or weakness and allocate study time accordingly. In the long run, this will save you valuable time.

Here is an example of a study schedule:

Talking to Profs

If you struggle with this, you are not alone. Talking to an instructor can be a daunting task, as they are very knowledgeable and potentially influence your success.

When talking to a professor in person or via email you want to start by making yourself known and offering commentary on the course material so far. Next, you’re going to want to ask your question or give your comment in the clearest way possible. I’ve found that teachers are more receptive to help you if they can see that you have tried to understand the content by yourself.

To finish the interaction, be honest about your learning. If you are still lost in the material ask for additional resources and opportunities to meet again. If they helped you understand a concept, thank them. Education is valuable; try not to forget that.

Keep it Cool

Here are some activities to help get you through the semester:

• Fuel your body with a healthy diet – fruit is an optimal study snack
• Exercise – working out produces endorphins, which make you feel good
• Meditation – take 10 minutes a day to sit quietly without distraction
• Sleep – quality sleep always helps (don’t forget to add it to your schedule)
• Laugh – hang with some friends, watch your favourite movie, just laugh

Thanks for reading, stay tuned for more Urban Guides