How to Cram Like a Pro

College life provides just as many distractions as opportunities for growth. When the middle of the semester rolls around we often succumb to procrastination, the college student’s kryptonite. Quality time with roommates, killing hours on Facebook and late night coffee runs can be too tempting to pass up when you have a midterm looming over you.

So let’s say it’s the night before a big midterm or final, and you realize you’re in for a long night. Don’t panic just yet, because I’ve boiled down my years of trial and error into some foolproof study tips:

Tip 1: Take Breaks

You’re brain can only absorb so much information in a given amount of time. If you study for too long, your brain shuts down and productivity stops. Basically, if you” study” for five straight hours, you might only be really studying for two and staring blankly at your book for three. My advice is to take a 15 minute break after every hour. For those 15 minutes, get away from your work, walk around, stretch and keep your blood flowing. Trust me, it’ll keep your mind awake for much longer, and you’ll be more productive.

Tip 2: Stay Fed/ Hydrated

If you know you have a long night ahead, make sure you keep eating and drinking. Your attention wanes quicker when you’re hungry. Don’t gorge yourself either though; eating small servings of fruit or granola bars keeps you satisfied and is healthier than finishing a bag of chips. (I’ve done that too, and it kept me awake but left me feeling a little guilty at the same time) Also, make sure you drink plenty of water. Soda and energy drinks keep you conscious, but you’ll feel jittery and restless rather than awake and focused. Personally, I drink a big cup of coffee to get me started, and stick to water after that.

Tip 3: Listen to Music

It’s a common trick, and it works. Music helps you focus since it creates an atmosphere that should help you focus. However, music can be its own distraction if you use it improperly. First, don’t listen to music that you sing along to. Also, don’t select songs one by one; you’ll wind up focusing too much on what you’re listening to. What I usually do is open Pandora and leave it running for a while so I don’t have to think about what’s next. You can also make a study playlist if you like.

Tip 4: Stick to your Notes

Rereading your textbook the night before an exam is a terrible idea. If you haven’t been keeping up with your readings, your first impulse will be to do them all in one night. I’ve tried this at least one every semester, and it never works. Going back to Tip 1, your brain can only handle so much material at once; cramming two months worth of reading will only leave you tired and confused. The nest thing to do is reread your notes, and study from there. You can look at your textbook after that because you’ll know where to look. If you didn’t take good notes, find a classmate who did. It may be a blow to your pride, but it’ll save you time and stress.

Tip 5: Don’t Panic

This is the most important step. It’s both tempting and easy to beat yourself up about slacking off more than you should have, but it will wear you out faster and kill your confidence. Just remember that what’s done is done, and you have to make the best with what you have. Just keep your cool and push on; maybe you won’t get the A you promised yourself on the first day of class, but at least you can get through your test knowing that you give it your all.

Even if you follow these five tips in an academic emergency, I can’t promise that you’ll ace your midterm or final; however, I can guarantee that you’ll cram much more effectively. Procrastination should always be avoided but if you’re in a bind, just remember to keep yourself together and do your best. At the end of the day that’s the most anyone, including you, can ask of yourself.