Having exams during colder months can be tough. The cold weather is definitely not a good motivator to get out of bed and get studying. Here are some questions you should ask yourself to get through your exams during the colder weather.
When’s your peak study time?
Everyone has a time in the day where they are most productive. People who are most productive in the morning should jump right into studying when they wake up and relax later in the day. If you’re a night owl, you may prefer to stay in bed all afternoon and then start studying. Whichever type of person you are, plan to do the bulk of your studying in your most productive window.
Are you studying how you feel most comfortable?
The winter season is probably not the best time to study outside. Whether you need to be bundled in sweatpants or 4 different blankets to stay warm, being comfortable is a huge motivator to get things done. For me, this means staying home to study in my comfiest sweatpants, whether those are presentable to the public eye or not, usually on a comfy chair or couch.
Why not stay in bed to study?
If you’re going to be writing a bunch of notes, this is definitely not ideal, but there are lots of other ways to stay in bed and study. Using an app like Minute School with thousands of practice questions and short video lessons to study on your mobile is something I love to do. I don’t have to leave my warm bed, and the short video lessons keep my attention.
Have I gotten any exercise today?
Although staying in bed while it’s cold out is extremely appealing, it’s important to make sure you still get some sort of exercise. Exercise doesn’t mean leaving your house – you can totally do a short workout in your living room.
Have I eaten today?
There has been many times in the midst of my exam studying that I have forgotten to eat, or have eaten unhealthy as a result of “not having time to cook”. Something I find very helpful during exam seasons is preparing healthy snacks and meals at the beginning of the week, so whenever I get hungry, I don’t even have to think about what to eat. I usually make sure to have some warm soup on hand.
I hope these questions to ask yourself help you stay motivated and comfortable throughout this exam season. Stay warm, it’ll be over before you know it!