![]() Let me preface this by saying that a) yes, study breaks can be highly productive, and b) we need to redefine what productivity actually means. ‘Oh gosh!’ you must be thinking, ‘this person wants me to study AND make my breaks productive?!’ With thousands of teacher-reviewed explanations and flashcards on all your subjects, you have everything you need to succeed! It’s a trial-and-error calculation, but I recommend taking those breaks to reap their benefits.Ĭhange the way you learn, starting right now! On the other hand, what you breeze through, I might struggle with. What I might do for hours could be terribly difficult and draining to you. Yes, I know, an exasperating answer, but we all run on different fuels, need different breaks, and have different degrees of concentration for different subjects. Ultimately, you are the one who has to decide what study-to-break ratio works for you. Depending on how easily you focus, you can extend work times and breaks accordingly. Pomodoro suggests setting a timer to 25 minutes (work) and taking a five-minute break as soon as it goes off. The Pomodoro Technique is another learning trick that relies on the timer. To do so, you’d have to use a timer and set your study and break times to exactly 52 and 17 minutes (I suggest the Interval Timer app). ![]() Some breakthrough in productivity science (oh yes, that’s a thing!) has shown that the oddly specific ratio of 52 minutes of work followed by 17 minutes of rest yields the best results. For instance, if you’re writing your dissertation, an hour of sustained effort can be much more draining than two hours of practising the same type of mathematical equation or simply copying notes. There are various other options like 60:15 or 45:10, which depend solely on what kind of work you’re doing and how much intellectual labour it requires. This scenario is possible only if you are bent on having no distractions around you, ideally in a study hall, library, or other solitary space. By that, I mean study for 90 minutes and rest 15 to 20 before coming back to work. ![]() Some believe that 90:15 is the most optimistic take. Still, when it comes to study breaks, there are differing opinions: Of course, this is because the world is so vast and complex that we need to categorise everything to make it make sense (spoiler alert: it probably doesn’t). We always try to calculate and measure things, and study breaks have become just as much of a numbers game as anything else. You know how you get those moments of clarity about things, popping like little lightbulbs above your head? Have you noticed they tend to light up when you least expect it? Taking breaks from your subjects allows the brain to connect and consolidate the knowledge base and provide you with that ‘a-ha!’ moment. They increase your comprehension of the subject.Being cooped up in your room is not always the best way to go, and regular chatting sessions with friends can be just as energising as a good cup of coffee. If you’re studying in a library or at your university, taking a break with peers gives you a chance to catch up and supports your social needs. Taking an active break, such as walking or a short workout, reconfigures your brain, improving memory and stimulating a better response to new information. Taking regular breaks allows you to reset and ground yourself and return to work more relaxed. While it may seem that the world is about to swallow you up if you don’t study for hours on end, the fact is, putting so much pressure on yourself is even more harmful. Getting some movement, fresh air, and a change of scenery is refreshing and helps you be more productive when you get back to your work. Study breaks are a chance to get away from your desk and do something else. Study breaks can range in their length, productivity, focus, and organisation, but they all share the same benefits: To get the most out of your study session, you should work hard during your assigned learning time and play hard during breaks. Download our free all-in-one learning app and start your most successful learning journey yet. Join over 90% of students getting better grades!
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