Even in the absence of coronavirus restrictions, remote learning, and home study are increasingly prevalent in university courses. To enhance your learning experience, it is essential to engage in independent study. Here are some tips to help you prepare for the 2023 exams while studying in Sheffield student accommodation.
Preparation ahead of your 2023 exams while studying in Sheffield student accommodation
Achieve a Restful Night’s Sleep
The quantity and quality of sleep significantly affect your mental and physical well-being, as well as your brain’s ability to retain and process information. For optimal performance, a healthy adult should aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. Prioritizing an ample amount of high-quality sleep can greatly enhance the effectiveness and duration of your study sessions, enabling you to maintain a positive and focused mindset while avoiding distractions and sluggishness.
Get those chores out of the way
Minimize your schedule by eliminating various tasks, such as dishwashing and appointments, in order to create a clear focus on your studies. Engaging in other activities during your dedicated study time can easily divert your attention from the primary task.
The best time to study is different for everyone
Benefits of Studying During the Day:
- Refreshed brain after a good night’s sleep, primed for information processing.
- Natural light enhances alertness, aids in regulating sleep patterns, and promotes vitamin D production.
- Enables participation in group learning techniques.
Advantages of Night Studying:
- Potentially quieter environment.
- Reduced distractions and interruptions.
- Enhanced clarity of mind for creative thinking.
- Facilitates better recall of studied topics, as the brain continues to process them during sleep.
Food affects the tough process
Maintaining a proper diet can benefit your physical health and actively stimulate the brain. Consuming foods such as:
- Berries and citrus fruits
- Dark chocolate and cocoa products
- Nuts
- Eggs
- Fish
can enhance mental performance by increasing blood flow to the brain and promoting specific signaling pathways involved in learning and memory. These foods are also rich in vitamins, minerals, and slow-releasing proteins, which aid in combating mental fatigue.
Furthermore, it is crucial to prioritize hydration, as it has been scientifically proven to improve memory and focused attention during study sessions. Studies conducted by the UK National Hydration Council have established a positive correlation between learning and maintaining proper hydration
Optimize your Surroundings
Removing things that can distract you is a big help towards positive studying. Especially when coming across subjects or tasks that don’t seem very appealing to complete. Your mind will naturally wander away from things you don’t want to do to other things that can occupy your time. Stay focused by removing distractions such as:
- Eliminate potential distractions that can divert your attention, particularly when encountering unappealing subjects or tasks.
- Keep your focus intact by taking the following actions:
- Turn off the TV or any other electronic device.
- Set your phone to “do not disturb” mode.
- Close the door to your study room.
- Wear noise-canceling headphones and listen to music.
- If not using your computer for studying, turn off the monitor to avoid getting distracted by internet browsing, YouTube, or social media.
Maintain a Tidy Desk for a Clear Mind
In all our student properties, you will find a desk provided for your use. However, it is common to let it become cluttered and disorganized. Instead, consider clearing off your desk and utilizing it for its intended purpose. Place only essential items such as stationery, books, and your computer on it. By keeping your workspace clean and uncluttered, you can effectively reduce anxiety and create a conducive environment for motivation.
Benefit from Daylight and Fresh Air for Optimal Study Conditions
Research has demonstrated the significant advantages of accessing natural light and fresh air while studying. These elements have been found to enhance concentration, reduce anxiety, uplift mood, and increase serotonin levels
Techniques for 2023 Exams, Studying in Student Accommodation
Break down your work into smaller tasks:
Divide your workload into manageable chunks to avoid feeling overwhelmed and preserve the enthusiasm you’ve built up. Spend 5 minutes organizing your study schedule and goals to create a clear path towards achieving what you want. Stick to the schedule or to-do list you create, but be cautious not to delve too deep into the list, as it can make one task appear overwhelming.
Consider the Pomodoro Technique:
Utilize the Pomodoro Technique, which involves breaking your work into intervals using a timer. Traditionally, these intervals are 25 minutes long, followed by short 5-minute breaks. Each interval, known as a Pomodoro, is named after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer used by the technique’s inventor. After completing 2 to 4 Pomodoros, take a longer break lasting 15 to 30 minutes.
Engage in active studying – ask questions:
As you study, constantly ask yourself questions or jot them down for later review and further research. Pose inquiries related to how, why, and when, aiming to provide specific answers. This approach not only enhances the credibility of your responses but also expands your comprehension of the subject matter.
Circle back or ask for help:
When encountering difficulties understanding a particular topic, you have two options. You can either spend excessive time trying to grasp the concept or, if feasible, move on to another section temporarily. It is advisable to move forward and return later with a fresh perspective. If you still require assistance after revisiting the topic, don’t hesitate to seek help from others.
Importantly – Set clear goals and rewards:
After dedicating hours to studying, it’s crucial to reward yourself. Establishing rewards for accomplishing your goals serves as a motivating factor to encourage focused study sessions.
When is the 2023 Exam period?
Some 2023 exams have already taken place in the previous autumn, the dates for the remaining years’ exams are
Sheffield University
- Spring semester: Monday 22 May – Saturday 10 June 2023
- Resits and special sittings: Monday 07 August – Friday 25 August 2023
Sheffield Hallam University
Find the information on their website at https://www.shu.ac.uk/myhallam/key-dates
About Thornsett Properties
Thornsett Properties have been supplying desks to students studying in Sheffield student accommodation since 1985. We supply housing to over 650 students studying at Sheffield Uni and Sheffield Hallam Uni every year. Thornsett Properties are property owners and not agents, meaning all our properties are managed by ourselves and not reliant on third parties. Our aim is to help you succeed whilst living and studying in Sheffield student accommodation
