As students, we’ve all experienced pre-exam nerves and anxiety about how the exam will go. Knowing when it’s safe to put down the notes and flashcards is challenging because you’re ready! But after doing some research, I finally found the best time for students to stop studying.
It’s time to quit studying if you’ve been learning the same subject for an hour straight without taking a break. This is because our brains begin to process and retain less information after an hour of concentration on the same content. You should stop studying and take a 15-20 minute break at this stage.
Taking breaks surely helps, but there are times that you will feel those breaks are no longer helping, and you still can not focus on your studies. In this article, I will share the best learning tricks to help you know when to keep studying or stop for the day. Intrigued? Read on.
When to Stop Studying and Take a Break
1. When You Did Not Know Your Material
If you have been studying material for a while, you might start thinking, is this enough? Do I know this material? This is tricky for most people.
The answer? You should test your knowledge on what you’ve learned. You can do that by putting away the material you are studying and drafting some quizzes using your study guide. If you didn’t know the answer to the questions you asked yourself, you should take a quick break and return to the material.
Here are other strategies that you can use for testing yourself.
2. When You are Bored or Tired
Most people don’t know the difference between being bored or tired and being exhausted. Suppose you’re in the middle of a study session and just feeling tired or bored. In that case, you should take a quick 10–15 minute break, change the area where you’re studying, and change how you’re inputting the information (move from reading text to looking at visuals, etc.), or find someone to teach the material to.
3. When You Have Already Spent an Hour Studying Your Material
It’s time to STOP studying if you’ve been learning the same subject for an hour straight without taking a break. Let me say that a study break shouldn’t have a time limit. How much time you require to reset your mind and refocus on your academics relies entirely on you. Of course, you can’t waste too much time on breaks if it’s exam time.
A decent rule to start with is 45 minutes of study to 15 minutes of breaks, and I would advise taking a break for at least 30 minutes if you are studying for two hours or more. I am aware that studying for an exam is essential, but your brain also needs to get the rest it needs.
Now, what can you do to refresh your mind? Click on this article to find out.
When to Stop Studying and Give Up for the Day
Some people can concentrate and study for hours, while others can only focus if they take breaks. Self-care is an essential factor one should consider while deciding whether to stop studying for the day.
Are you getting enough rest, eating a healthy diet, and exercising? Do you feel your schoolwork is not sticking with you, or are you doing well? These are all things to consider.
1. When You Have Mastered Your Material
Before beginning any study session, set a goal of understanding a specific set of information. You don’t need to spend more time studying once you’ve memorized the knowledge and proven it a few times by testing yourself. It can be beneficial to reward yourself and then stop studying if you’ve mastered your material.
2. When You Can Not Study Effectively Mentally
You may be too distracted to study if you’ve spent 10 minutes trying to stop thinking about something other than studying during your study hours. If you’re usually a good student, don’t feel bad if you stop studying when you’re distracted. It should not be a habit, but there are times when there are more pressing matters to consider.
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3. When You are Physically Incapable
I can tell when my brain is no longer getting new information. I’m just going through the motions, not absorbing anything. Also, if I find myself repeating the same sentence, I know it’s time to call it a day!
You should call it a day when you take more bathroom breaks without making progress when your eyes are heavy. Because it appears that you’ve exhausted every opportunity to make further progress with your work, it’s safe to say your comfy bed is calling!
I usually get up early the next day to finish my studies. A few hours of sleep is preferable to none!
How to Organize and Manage Your Study Time
1. Never Wait to Study
Some students develop the habit of waiting a few days or even a few hours before an exam to study because the compressed timeframe forces them to focus.
However, procrastination has risks, and students should not rely on it. After all, having to concentrate for a short period of time often indicates a need to be more self-disciplined with the time available before rush hours.
Academically successful students are typically also excellent time managers. They are juggling multiple classes and responsibilities without falling behind.
Colin Gruenwald of Kaplan Test Prep has given advice for procrastinators, he says “For the last-minute studier, flashcards can be a good resource. They can earn you a few more points on test day, and it’s a much healthier thing to do than starting on page one of the textbook.”
2. You Should Stop Studying a Day to the Exam
Suppose you’ve scheduled time to study for an exam. Allow some time between the end of your last study session and the exam itself. “I’ve studied,” you should tell yourself at some point. I know this, and now I can get much-needed rest before the exam.”
It’s much more likely that you’ll stress yourself out and confuse yourself.
According to Colin Gruenwald of Kaplan Test Prep. He says, “Within 12 to 24 hours of the test, it’s time to stop studying. “He reasons that you run the risk of putting too much pressure on yourself if you’re completely focused on studying up to the last minute before you take the exam. “You’re not going to learn a lot of new content.”
3. Know How to Focus Your Study Time
It would be a good idea to be aware of the particular content that you will be tested on in the exam before you start studying. For instance, if mitochondria only make up a small portion of the exam, you don’t want to spend hours studying it. Additionally, you don’t want to study too much stuff that won’t even be on the exam because your exam preparation was too broad.
Ask your teacher for a study guide for the exam that clearly explains what you will be tested on if it is an exam for a class. Never hesitate to ask questions. Knowing what you’ll be tested on in advance will help you organize your study time.
There are probably some things that seem to come naturally to you without much effort. You should review those areas to ensure they’re solid, but your weak spots should be your primary focus.
4. Study in Group
Studying does not have to be a solitary endeavor. experience. If you and some friends are taking a class together, forming a study group can help alleviate some of the isolation that studying can cause. Studying with someone else can also assist you in identifying the areas in which you are struggling.
Studying with a partner or in a group can help you avoid some of the pitfalls of studying alone, such as the propensity to procrastinate and accepting distractions when they occur.
5. Fill Yourself With Good Energy
The flip side of having enough rest is making sure you have enough energy for the day of the test. According to a 2013 study, healthy foods will provide the optimum energy to stimulate your brain and help you do well on test days.
In reality, meals that are good for the brain, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, can give you the boost you need to think clearly and retain everything you learned in preparation for the exam. Eating healthy food improves cognitive performance, especially in the domains of memory and attention.
Related Questions
How Long is Too Long Studying?
After four 25-minute study periods, you should take a 30-minute to 1-hour. This supports your concentration while still providing you with regular mental rest breaks. Do not study for longer than 6 hours at a time. By this point, your brain is irreparably damaged, according to scientists.
How Many Hours of Studying a Day is Healthy?
Suppose you have maintained a healthy daily and weekly plan. In that case, 15-20 hours should be suitable for a midterm and 20–30 hours for a final test. Major papers require a lot more time and work.
Is it OK to Study Everyday?
The best method is to dedicate a short time to each lesson daily. While your overall study time will be the same (or less) as one or two all-nighters in the library, you will learn the material more thoroughly and remember it for a more extended period, which will help you score an A on the final.
What Time is Best For Memorizing?
According to studies, learning is more effective from 10 am to 2 pm because that’s when the brain is in an acquisition state. On the other hand, the least productive hours for learning are between 4 and 7 in the morning.
Final Thoughts
When you start to feel tired or can’t remember anything, struggling to read, fall asleep, or have difficulty concentrating, it’s time to put your books away for the day!
Choosing to rest rather than study does not imply failure. Because your health is essential, you should always take breaks while studying and avoid overdoing it!
Studying while your brain is fully active is critical, or you will confuse the information you learn. Set goals for yourself throughout the week so you can spread your study habits and not be forced to crunch all of your studies in one night!
