It’s finally here: September is here . The ninth month of the year is synonymous with transition, summer gives way to autumn, long sleeves find their place in the closet and we say goodbye to the vacation period to receive the much feared academic routine . The return to studies can be arduous and exhausting, if we are not able to adapt to the pace that it demands of us.
For this reason, we offer you these 10 keys to start the academic year on the right foot.
Prepare a good study schedule
Every self-respecting student should know how to plan their study time. Being able to make a schedule and stick to it will create a work habit in us . To achieve this we must take into account the following aspects:
- Fixed, constant and realistic schedules : We must be consistent with the hours we dedicate to study, trying to study at the same hours will favor concentration and performance, unconsciously creating a habit.
- Devote time to each subject proportional to its difficulty .
- Distribute our study time by specific subjects : It is not enough to “study from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm”, we will specify which subjects we are going to study, “from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm Mathematics and from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm English”.
- Study sessions should not exceed an hour and a half in a row for the same subject , except during exam time. It is advisable to take a short break every 50 minutes and then change subjects or stop studying and doing exercises.
A good sleep habit
There is no doubt that there is a close relationship between the amount of sleep , its quality and the academic performance of any student. It is vitally important to accustom our body to a routine, try to go to bed at the same time every day and avoid, as far as possible, staying up all night. The ideal is to start adopting these schedules a few days before starting the course.
Create an optimal study area
In order to keep a good pace and optimize academic results, it is an essential task to have a study space at home . A good study area prioritizing the organization and comfort of the student:
- A space free of distractions . It is convenient to move mobile phones and other entertainment devices away.
- Bright environment with adequate ventilation .
- A quiet work area where silence prevails .
- Delimit the study area and the use we give it. It is advisable to have a table or desk, and avoid studying on the bed or sofa.
- Likewise, the space that we use to study must be used solely for this purpose . It is important to differentiate the work area from the rest area or the area for meals, as it will provide us with the physical and mental organization that we need.
In an optimal work space, organization is essential, and it will be transmitted to the student in the work they do.
Follow a complete and balanced diet
The importance of a rich and balanced diet for the good performance of daily activities is universally known. In addition, here we suggest a series of foods that can help you perform better during the day:
- Studies have shown that coffee is not the only substance that can keep us awake, but that an apple on an empty stomach can produce the same effect as caffeine in our body.
- Whole grain cereals, almonds or chestnuts : all these foods release their carbohydrate content gradually, which allows you to keep your mind active for longer .
Set a meal schedule
“Everything in its time, and a time for everything.” It is the philosophy to follow on a day-to-day basis; classes, studies, sports, leisure… The meals were not going to be less. Maintaining fixed schedules contributes to the correct synchronization of our body and, therefore, to optimal performance.
Responsible use of electronic screens
Today, the use of electronic screens is fully extended and entrenched in our routines. The, already well established, teleworking seems to have come to stay. More and more educational centers are betting on electronic teaching. Gone are the textbooks and notes by hand.
However, we must bear in mind that prolonged use of screens can stress the brain , which considerably reduces our physical and cognitive abilities . Intermittent use is recommended, with breaks every 40 or 50 minutes, and a maximum of 6 hours a day. In addition, it is convenient to leave these devices on for at least 30 minutes before going to sleep, favoring the correct regulation of the daily sleep cycle.
Combine studies with sport
Studying and practicing some sport is an ideal combination that works. Sport not only increases a person ‘s physical performance, but also improves cognitive ability , reduces stress and anxiety , and favors the proper development of the immune system .
Sport allows us to establish very useful and important values for academic life: effort, perseverance, self -management …
Foreign language
Learning a foreign language is a very efficient way to complement the hours we dedicate to studying. Among the various skills that the student acquires, the following stand out: improvement in communication skills, creativity, effort, perseverance and the pursuit of new goals. Values that are highly valued and of unquestionable application in the academic field.
Not everything is study
Not everything in our academic routine is studies, exams and grades. It is important to place special emphasis on friendships and leisure activities that derive from here. Knowing how to manage and combine, in an effective and balanced way, study hours with leisure hours can bring us great advantages; increase our productivity , reduce the level of stress or dedicate part of our time to rest and personal care.
Establish an order of priorities
Being clear about the priority of daily tasks is a key aspect in our routine. On many occasions, it implies the creation of an agenda to examine the different tasks in detail and allocate the necessary time to each one , always with the aim of getting the best possible performance in a short period of time.
Here we leave you a series of strategies to prioritize tasks:
- Have a single list that covers all the tasks of the day.
- Highlight what is really urgent versus what can wait a few days.
- To increase productivity and avoid falling into procrastination, you can try to alternate the most arduous tasks with others that require a minimum of time and effort.
- Be realistic with the number of activities you can do in a day. You know what they usually say: ” Whoever covers a lot, doesn’t squeeze much “.
“The Human Being is an animal of habit” and, as we have seen, it is necessary to have a balanced routine, giving each activity its time and space. Regularity, balance and organization are the pillars on which to build a good start to the course.
