10 Ways to Get Better Grades
Are you a horrible test taker? Do you ever wonder why some of your classmates seem better able to remember information? The root behind your study struggles may actually begin with your lifestyle habits, not JUST your study habits.
Years ago, I read an article in a Vogue or Seventeen magazine on how to “Eat Your Way to Better Grades.” Being the academic “hardo” I am, I immediately implemented every single tip into my life. Today, I am here to share similar miscellaneous tips with you.
Avoid the Sweatpants
Dress up for test day and you’ll feel better because you look better. Confidence is key, so be confident in as many aspects as possible (then you’ll focus less on your appearance and more on your test). If you’re too comfortable, you’ll lose focus and may get sleepy!
Meditate
Start training your brain! Sit on the floor in an upright position with your legs crossed. Set a timer for 5-15 minutes, close your eyes. As you breathe in and out slowly, repeat a mantra (either think it or say it out loud) like “I can do this.” If another thought creeps into your head, acknowledge it and return to your mantra. This teaches your brain to let go of random thoughts and improve focus!
Close Your Eyes During the Exam
Shutting your eyes can help you remember facts more accurately because you'‘ll be blocking out the surrounding environment. This frees up parts of your brain that deal with memory!
Don’t Text before Bed!
Light emitted from computers, smartphones, and tablets decreases melatonin production (which tells your body it’s time to rest). Read a book before sleeping instead. Otherwise, you’ll take longer to fall asleep and have shorter REM sleep (the deep recharging stage-which hurts memory). Shut devices off at least 30 min before bed.
Smell the Success
Breathe spa-like lavender while studying- it helps you focus. Back-to-back finals? Keep an orange with you. The fruit is energizing and the smell makes you less anxious during test time.
Sit Straighter
Sitting up straight can make you happier and more confident. As a result, you’ll be more relaxed during your exam. Heck, you can even strike a power pose in the mirror for two minutes to get that quick confidence boost.
Put Your Records On
Certain types of music can help you study or work better.
Songs that are 50-80 beats per minute can calm the part of the brain related to logical thinking, which helps you learn and retain new facts. One song in this category includes Miley Cyrus’s “We Can’t Stop.”
Fast-paced pop stimulates the right side of your brain, which is used to process creative thoughts. This is super helpful for developing your writing skills and acing your writing assignments. Katy Perry’s “Firework” is a great example.
Classical music like Beethoven’s Fur Elise is best for math as it helps student hold onto more information and study for longer periods of time.
Let Your Hair Down
This one is a toughie for me, as I love wearing my hair in a ponytail. However, wearing your hair up during an exam can pull on the scalp’s connective tissue and lead to painful headaches, which can be distracting!
Sleep. Sorry.
Avoid pulling an all-nighter unless you’re a fan of mood swings and a lack of alertness. It is recommended that you get 8 hours of sleep before a test. Try to study way in advance and avoid procrastinating to make sure you’re fully alert during the exam.
Chew Gum
While you study, try chewing a specific flavor of gum. Then during the exam, pop that same flavor back into your mouth to reboot your memory. If you’re not a fan of gum, maybe just chew it for 5 minutes before the test and spit it out during the exam to avoid being distracted. According to studies, you can process facts faster for the next 15-20 minutes by doing this (so I recommend answering the hardest questions first during that time period).
