runbikedoc

With the holidays over, it back to school time again. Some scholars seek to repeat the success of the past semester, while others are excited about a chance for redemption. Either way a tabula rasa¹ for academic endeavors awaits.

A problem created by the protracted holiday break is rooted in the training principle of reversibility which states: if you don’t use it you lose it. Translated to scholarly pursuits this means an erosion of study skills and habits conducive to academic success has occurred while you were away from the books.

Here are some ways to stack academic the deck in your favor this semester:

1. Study every day

Treat school like a job. Invest time to learn the material. Every day review your notes and read your textbook for each class you are taking. The more you are exposed to the material, the better you will do in class.

2. Use your resources

Wikipedia can be helpful, but professors and teachers are experts who are paid to help you learn. See them outside of class if there is something you don’t understand. Remember, you are investing a lot of time and money in your education. Make sure to maximize the return on your investment.

3. Practice before each test

Take a practice test or use flash cards to identify where you need to concentrate your study efforts. By understanding your strengths and weaknesses and catering your studying to each, you will be more in command of your academic destiny and less stressed about quizzes and tests.

4. Be organized and have a plan

Failing to plan is planning to fail. Know when all assignments are due and have a strategy for getting everything done. Commit the necessary time to do high quality work.

5. Mens sana in corpore sano²

Get in the habit of practicing good nutrition habits and getting regular exercise. Try to exercise for at least 150 minutes a week. That’s less than ½ an hour each day! For maximum mental and physical sharpness, embrace the Crossfit nutritional philosophy: eat meat and vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, little starch and no sugar. Keep intake to levels that will support exercise but not body fat.

6. Get the sleep you need

Sleep is when the body grows and repairs. It is also when the immune system does some great work. Seven to eight hours of sleep each night is necessary to keep you mentally and physically sharp.

7. Watch the caffeine

Too much caffeine can make you jittery and increase pre-test nervousness. It can also interfere with your sleep. It is best to only ingest 200mg of caffeine each day, or the equivalent of two cups of coffee. Also, the last call for caffeine should be at 4 pm each afternoon.

8. Relax and enjoy

Find positive ways to relax when not working. If stress builds up, techniques such as deep breathing, meditation and yoga can help put your mind and body in the right state. Also remember that school is not just about academics, it is also about your experiences outside of the classroom.

Good skill this semester and as always thanks for reading, doc

Footnotes

1. Tabula rasa is Latin for “a blank slate”.
2. Mens sana in corpore sano is Latin for “a sound mind in a sound body”.