Hacks for effective studying during Covid-19

This year has been tough for students, with the school calendar disrupted on more than one occasion due to Covid-19. With the education department salvaging what is left of the school year, children are under immense pressure to catch up on what they missed. The most effective way is to have study hacks that will help you get through the year so that you are not under pressure and stressed. According to experts, the stress associated with studying can be reduced through support from a variety of sources: building yourself emotionally through support from friends and family, taking time to meditate, and being conscious of creating a supportive inner dialogue that constantly encourages you to succeed.

You are more important

The advent of Covid-19 has changed the dynamics of life and affected the mental health of many. “While this outbreak and other pressures of the things happening around you can add extra pressure to your life – remember that there is nothing more important than you,” says Izi Maloyi, a student counsellor at a leading tertiary institution. “If you are worried about not excelling, there will always be a plan B. Strength is asking for help, and strength is creating new pathways when plan A didn’t work out. Never give up. Be your own hero.”

Practical tips for studying

Here are tips to follow for effective studying during these tough times:

• Pretend you are writing an exam and solve problems or write essays that you would assume would be in the exam. Make sure that you can answer those types of questions under pressure, so set your timer.
• Treat every test or activity as an exam – set your timer and complete past exam papers. See websites that provide free exam papers and answer memos.
• Set daily and weekly study goals that are realistic and achievable. Break your learning down into topics and chapters.
• A great way to memorise your academic notes is by teaching someone else. Create a study group, learn with a classmate, or even get a family member as a stand-in. You can do this via Zoom so that there is no physical contact.
• Do not underestimate the power of great sleep! You need at least 7-8 hours of sleep a day so avoid changing your sleep patterns. Missing out on sleep not only affects your mood but it also reduces your brain’s capacity to function effectively.
• Eat a balanced diet, and avoid foods that contain caffeine and sugar. These two products mess with your energy and concentration levels.
• Exercise is essential! Being a couch potato feels good, but for physical stress relief and to keep your body feeling strong, you need to move. Go for a brisk walk or a brief run around your block. The most important advice from the research carried out in the past few years is the simple fact that an hour of daily exercise may be the most important single factor in maintaining a healthy mind and body.
• Avoid watching YouTube videos, series, or TV after studying. Research shows that TV interrupts the transfer of learned information into long-term memory.
• Focus on the quality of the study you are doing rather than how much you do. Staring at a page full of highlighted words is not as effective as working with someone who asks you questions that you need to answer.