Smart Study Breaks

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You’ve heard it before; your student says he’s going to take a quick study break and then go right back to work. He walks over to the computer, and while sitting down he yells he’ll just be five minutes. Before you know it, five minutes turns into fifteen, and then eventually an hour as he is chatting with his friends, checking Facebook, and looking at YouTube videos all at once. After much prodding, you are able to get him back to work, but suddenly he has lost all energy and motivation. He doodles on his paper as he looks around for any distraction to take him away from studying. The clock ticks away as his work lays untouched and unfinished.  Your hopes for a successful study session turn into just another period of inactivity and procrastination.

So what does this mean? Should we ban our children from taking study breaks?

study breaksNo. It is always important to have study breaks for your student. Study breaks help relieve stress and recharge your student’s batteries. Research has shown that by taking shorts breaks during times of lengthy studying, you will feel much more productive and focused when you return to your work. However, this can only happen if the study breaks are taken the right way and stay conducive to learning.

Here are some of the Dos and Don’ts of study breaks:

DO

  • Plan out your breaks and study schedule beforehand. By planning your breaks, you are creating incentives for yourself to look forward to in between studying. This can also help keep you focused on the material and stay positive and enthusiastic. Just remember to stick to the plan and avoid studying in areas where distractions are common.
  • Take time to snack. Remove yourself from you study environment to eat some fruits or vegetables, or prepare a light meal. The snacks should be healthy, and should not follow you back to the study sessions. Heavier foods can slow you down and make you feel tired, while foods low in calories can give you energy. It is best to leave the snacking in the kitchen; continuing to munch while studying can be a distraction.
  • Move around. Whether it is taking a walk around the block, the house, or even the room you are in, getting any form of exercise helps get the brain flowing. You can even do some “power cleaning” by rearranging and organizing the study materials in your room. This can help make your study session far more effective when you get back to the books.

DO NOT

  • Go beyond the designated break time. Going just a few minutes past the break can cause you to lose determination and focus. Try setting a timer for yourself. When the timer goes off, finish up whatever you are doing and return to studying. It can be hard to do at first, but by constantly disciplining yourself and sticking to the schedule, you will find it becomes routine.
  • Visit social media websites. In fact, stay away from the computer altogether. You may tell yourself that you only want to check something for fifteen minutes, however it is too easy for that time to increase to thirty minutes. Let computer time be your reward for when the study session is fully complete.
  • Nap as a way to take a break. Studies have shown that napping after a study session can help your brain retain information, however napping beforehand can just make you feel groggier upon waking. If you feel the nap is inevitable, make sure to set a timer for no more than twenty minutes; naps can easily turn into hours if you are not careful.

Just remember, the same study break is not going to work for everyone. Try experimenting with different ideas and techniques to see what works best for you child. Their brain needs a break every once in a while, and it can be a good idea to help them recharge with some healthy food and exercise. Always plan the break out beforehand and stick to the plan you created. A well thought out and timed break can help you student’s studying process be more effective and enjoyable in the end.