Why is it so hard for some college students to study for a test?

With finals around the corner studying is a crucial skill college students must master. At first it’s hard to find out what you prefer when or while you study.  Personally I am easily distracted and lose focus easily. Some students are just naturally good at memorizing information and some just create good study tactics such as writing notes on flash cards or highlighting a textbook. Some students also prefer to study in groups rather than studying alone, having more than one mind brainstorming at once helps others process the information better. If you are lost, here are a few questions you can ask yourself and see what tip trick or tactic works for you.

Is it location?
Every student is different. Some students prefer to study at home or in their dorm where they can sit comfortably on their bed or desk in comfortable clothes.  Some students prefer to study in a more quite setting like the library on campus or a local coffee shop.  It is believed that studying in a classroom or library works best for students that are easily distracted and need minimum of sound and visual stimulation. Noisier environments can work on some students that can use the noisy environment and “Screen out” distractions.

Does listening to music help?

Majority of students prefer not to study with music in the background. But for those that do study with music in the background claim that it is easier for them. According to Advising and learning assistance center, headphones go into your ear, your ear is close to your brain and listening to music can block information from settling in your ear

Is it your diet?

To begin, walnuts look like a brain and are very good for your brain. When a study was performed on old rats that ate walnuts in 2009 they had the ability to function and process information. In 2010 when the same test performed on rats with Alzheimer’s disease demonstrated improved learning, memory and motor coordination when fed walnuts.

Carrots are not only good for your eyes but they are also good for your brain. Carrots have a high level of a compound called luteolin, which can reduce age-related memory deficits and inflammation. When a study was done in 2010 on mice, when scientist fed the old mice carrots it restored the mice memory to the level of a young mice.

For students who are allergic to nuts and hate vegetables, NO WORRIES! Adding berries to your diet can improve your memory. Berries such as blueberries and strawberries that are high in antioxidants can decrease a type of stress in cells associates with aging and increase signaling capabilities in brains.

Does exercising help?

            Exercising for 7 minutes can help overcome depression, help you relax, increase your brainpower and improve overall body image. A study in the journal of health psychology found that those who exercised felt better about themselves although there were no physical changes. Exercising helps our brains release proteins and endorphins that make us feel happier.

Is it your lack of sleep?

Being well rested is just naturally good for the body. It helps us recover and recharge after a long day. Being well rested before studying can help you not only stay awake while you study but it also helps your brain function better. Our brains are like phones, we use it all day, we can’t be without it and just like your phone after a long day of use it needs to recharge. What’s more useless than a dead phone?

Does coffee help?

Coffee not only helps keep you awake it helps improve cognitive function. Most college students cant live without coffee; like me. Coffee eventually could serve as a therapeutic treatment for people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Not a fan of coffee, that’s okay. Tea showed protective effects on the brain too. Tea drinkers did better on tests with memory and information processing than non-tea drinkers did according to a 2010 study of 716 Chinese adults 55 and older in the journal of nutrition, health and aging. If it can help a few elderly imagine its effect on a younger group

Overall studying isn’t easy in fact studying can be the most tedious thing students have to do but finals are coming and students need to study. I hope the tips tricks and tactics will be helpful in passing your finals. Study hard for better results.