LIFE

Whether you’re studying for your bio reading check on cell membranes or cramming in all of those calculus formulas for a math test, studying always seems to come with stress. It can be tempting to pull an all-nighter or live on energy drinks to get it all done, but it's important to be healthy and practice self-care while you're studying. When it’s the night of a major test and you’re endlessly examining your notes, follow one of these tips to make sure your well-being is at the top of your priority list.

1. Move around

If your idea of studying is sitting down for hours in one place and reading one thing, you're doing it wrong. If you’re home, try moving around your house while you’re studying. For example, after each chapter of your biology book, move to another room. If you’re at the library, switch seats or take a walk through the book aisles. Changing the location of where you sit down and study will make you more alert and help you feel less like a student stuck in a classroom.

2. Study with friends

What better way to study than with the people you like best? It’s important to balance your studying with your social life and doing so with peers is the perfect way to do that. They’re going through the same tough math problems you are, so not only will the atmosphere in the room be improved, you’ll be able to quiz each other, too—just don’t get too distracted!

3. Chew gum 

It’s almost 9 p.m. and you’re already feeling sleepy, but you still have that one last chapter in Romeo and Juliet to tackle. It may sound silly, but chewing gum while studying, especially at night, could help stop you from snoozing on the books. If it’s allowed, chew gum during tests, too. The smallest bit of activity can make a big difference in the grade book.

4. Exercise before entering your study-zone

Whether it's yoga or Zumba, try going to a group class at the gym after school to get your head in the game. If you're not the gym type, just dancing around your house for at least a good 30 minutes will definitely brighten up your mood. It’s also been proven that exercising before diving into all your work can help keep you alert and allow you to focus on the task at hand.

5. Take a bath

Yup, now is the time to take out all of those bath bombs and bubble bars! Taking a nice, warm bath with some mellow music will allow you to feel relaxed and ready to conquer the world—or maybe just your world history homework.

Although you might think the amount of studying you do will make or break your grade, realize that just like anything in life, you must balance it with something else. Let that something else be your well being by practicing self-care.

How do you take care of yourself during the school year?

by Yasmeena Fakhouri | 9/1/2016