So, that essay you promised yourself you would do straight away three weeks ago is almost due and your first thought is to stay up and pull an all-nighter. But did you know that studying for long hours at a time is more likely to hinder your performance than improve it? If you find yourself in this situation more often than you would like to admit, keep on reading to find out how you can get the best out of your study time.

Why should you take breaks?

Breaks are super important because they allow us to stay alert and focused on the task at hand. Think about it, if you’ve been studying for hours all day, not only would you be mentally exhausted but are less likely to concentrate on that all-important essay or exam. Rewarding yourself by taking time away from your desk breaks up your workload, making that 3,000 worded essay seem much less daunting.

Take short breaks regularly

Before you have even approach your studies, be sure to create a schedule and stick to it. Your schedule should include the time you wish to start studying, at what times you plan to take a break, and what time you intend to finish. A reasonable break is anywhere between 5 to 15 minutes. Anything longer and you may find yourself falling into the procrastination trap.

Useful tips

Be sure to do something you find fun or relaxing; the end goal here is to feel completely rejuvenated so you can tackle your studies with a clear mind. This means avoiding thinking about your work at all costs during your break. If you’re anything like me when it comes to social media – stay clear of Facebook and Twitter or else that innocent 15-minute break may well turn into endless hours of Facebook stalking or retweeting those stickman memes you just so happen to come across…