Before my last organic chemistry exam, my kitchen table was flooded with notes. With all that clutter, I wasted time flipping through haphazard piles and cross-referencing notes online. Plus, I went through 20 pages of scratch paper doing practice problems.
Sound familiar?
With some consolidation and simple planning, you can simplify your academic routine. Here are some tips for college and graduate students on how save time, money and study more effectively.
A minimalist approach:
1. Clear your workspace. |
| Vivienne, my 1.5 year-old German shepherd, snoozes while I work on homework I have recently been cutting back on paper clutter and investigating effective, sustainable and minimalist study habits |
A minimalist approach:
Physical clutter is distracting. Before you sit down to study at your desk or workspace, clear off all those stray papers, books and supplies. Wipe down any gunk left behind. It's more inviting to start with a clean, clear, fresh surface.
Know what environment optimizes your concentration. Facebook is for social networking, not studying, so log off immediately. If you don't have the self control, ask a trustworthy friend to change your password and keep it from you until your exam is over. Need white noise? Turn on an air filter to zone out any chatter from roommates, TV noise, or rowdy dogs. Study well to music? Choose something that will motivate and inspire you. Listening to classical music can improve concentration, memory and retention.
2. Reduce paper waste.
Start taking notes on a laptop and digitize whenever possible. Save paper and money by halting mindless printing of notes and readings. Consolidate your digitized notes through applications like Evernote make note taking a breeze, and you can even digitally annotate important texts.
A lap-sized dry erase board is an excellent alternative to scratch paper. When I was taking intro organic chemistry and physics as a pre-med student, it was an excellent way to interact with the mechanisms and free-body diagrams. However, be cautious when purchasing dry erase markers and look for brands that are non-toxic and low-odor. Many claim to be non-toxic, but actually produce harmful neurotoxins. Do your research beforehand and make sure you're purchasing markers, like the refillable, recyclable AusPen, that don't harm your body or the environment.
There are plenty of affordable ultraportable computers that take up less space than a 5-subject notebook and weigh less than a paper-filled binder. Be sure to back up important files online through free services like google docs, or purchase an external hard drive. Kindles and e-readers are excellent ways to lighten your backpack and consolidate your textbooks, but you can also download e-reader applications to your computer to access them from your desktop.
Start taking notes on a laptop and digitize whenever possible. Save paper and money by halting mindless printing of notes and readings. Consolidate your digitized notes through applications like Evernote make note taking a breeze, and you can even digitally annotate important texts.
A lap-sized dry erase board is an excellent alternative to scratch paper. When I was taking intro organic chemistry and physics as a pre-med student, it was an excellent way to interact with the mechanisms and free-body diagrams. However, be cautious when purchasing dry erase markers and look for brands that are non-toxic and low-odor. Many claim to be non-toxic, but actually produce harmful neurotoxins. Do your research beforehand and make sure you're purchasing markers, like the refillable, recyclable AusPen, that don't harm your body or the environment.
There are plenty of affordable ultraportable computers that take up less space than a 5-subject notebook and weigh less than a paper-filled binder. Be sure to back up important files online through free services like google docs, or purchase an external hard drive. Kindles and e-readers are excellent ways to lighten your backpack and consolidate your textbooks, but you can also download e-reader applications to your computer to access them from your desktop.
3. Reduce mental clutter.
A recent breakup bothering you? Too stressed to focus? Clear your mind before diving into an intense study session. I usually try to meditate for a few minutes before starting, especially if I am feeling stressed or anxious. Be positive. Breath in deeply, straighten your spine, pull the crown of your head to the sky, and exhale any negative thoughts. Studies show negative thinking can harm your performance on exams.
4. Nourish your body and brain. For every hour you study, take a 10 minute study breaks and briefly review what you've been studying. Consume healthy snacks, like fresh fruit and veggies, to provide your body will the right fuel. Processed foods are low-grade fuel and can make you overeat, feel worse and more stressed. Your body deserves organic biofuel, not the toxic, preservative-laced GMOs that are found in most conventional junk foods. If you absolutely need a caffeine boost, skip the coffee, energy drinks and sodas, and instead opt for freshly-brewed organic green tea sans the sugar.
A recent breakup bothering you? Too stressed to focus? Clear your mind before diving into an intense study session. I usually try to meditate for a few minutes before starting, especially if I am feeling stressed or anxious. Be positive. Breath in deeply, straighten your spine, pull the crown of your head to the sky, and exhale any negative thoughts. Studies show negative thinking can harm your performance on exams.
4. Nourish your body and brain. For every hour you study, take a 10 minute study breaks and briefly review what you've been studying. Consume healthy snacks, like fresh fruit and veggies, to provide your body will the right fuel. Processed foods are low-grade fuel and can make you overeat, feel worse and more stressed. Your body deserves organic biofuel, not the toxic, preservative-laced GMOs that are found in most conventional junk foods. If you absolutely need a caffeine boost, skip the coffee, energy drinks and sodas, and instead opt for freshly-brewed organic green tea sans the sugar.
5. Sleep. Get 7-8 hours of sleep every night (although some specialists recommend 9-10 hours for teens and young adults), especially before an important exam. It's tempting to pull an all-nighter when you feel unprepared. I have stayed up all night countless times in my college career and drowned my body in caffeine. And you know what? It's not worth it. It may work a few times, but it's unhealthy in the long-term, makes you feel like crap all day, and takes days to recover. Sleeping ensures optimal learning and promotes better recall if you study before bedtime.
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