Study Breaks (Posted by Jenny)

Hello all!

As you countdown the last few days before finals, I would encourage you to keep the following in mind. When I took this advice it helped me tremendously. When I didn’t, I suffered unpleasant consequences.

It is a great temptation (with finals looming) to study flat out whenever you can for as long as you can. While my thoughts on “cramming for tests” are another sermon for another day, I cannot encourage you strongly enough to sprinkle breaks liberally throughout your study time.

I am not talking about long breaks. But no matter how hard it is, make yourself stop after you have studied for an hour to two hours and spend a few minutes eating a snack / reading a non law related book / taking a walk etc. YOUR BRAIN NEEDS A BIT OF TIME TO PROCESS WHAT YOU ARE MEMORIZING / LEARNING!! YOU WILL NOT BE EFFECTIVE IF YOU “BURN OUT” BY WORKING TOO LONG WITHOUT STEPPING AWAY FOR A LITTLE TIME. Btw, did you know your brain is always processing information, even when you are not studying?! How amazing is that?!

You will be surprised how concepts you were struggling to memorize / understand will become so much clearer when you come back to them after a break. You will also be refreshed and ready to “hit the books” with renewed energy.

If you are a workaholic (or studyaholic) like me, you will be tempted to work for hours without stopping. I found when I did that I only made it harder on myself. If I took breaks, my study time was more effective and enjoyable.

Of course, I was not working FT when I went through the paralegal course. If I had been juggling courses and FT work, this would not have been as much of an issue. And it goes without saying (but I’m going to say it) that those of you who struggle with taking too many breaks while studying (yes, that is possible) should not view this post as meant for you. You need to focus on doing the opposite and disciplining yourself to study for an hour or two before taking a break.

So study hard but remember: TAKE BREAKS!:)