With the impending fear of exam season on the horizon, studying can seem like the most strenuous task in the world. Scrambling to find last semester’s work and plastering the walls with sticky notes with hopes of remembering everything is common practice amongst sixth form and University students. However, studying should be approached with a calm and collected mindset, resources and a winning mentality. That said, here are some dos and don’ts you should take note of while studying.

DON’T: Take long breaks

We’ve all been there. In between the exhaustion of trying to comprehend an entire syllabus before an exam and the fear that you may not manage to study everything in time, it’s easy to just disconnect and run away from your work. Breaks are important whilst studying but what is more important is keeping them concise to avoid zoning out of study mode and losing all interest in your work.

Once you zone out it’s difficult to get back in so stay focused and keep your head in the game.

DO: Take short breaks regularly

Rather than long ones, take short 5 or 10 minute breaks every now and then to allow yourself to stretch, replenish and re-focus before jumping right back in to your studies. During this time, allow yourself to hydrate, nourish yourself on some nutritious snacks, rest your eyes from your computer screen and stretch to avoid developing back and neck pain.

KPMG take pride in the prioritisation of breaks from the daily routine with activities such as sports, hikes, virtual catch-ups and coffee breaks.

DON’T: Try to do everything at once

Most students start their study period with all of the enthusiasm in the world which eventually fizzles into nothing. With an energy drink in one hand and an academic avalanche of assignments and notes in the other, students often approach studying like it is a mentally-intensive, never-ending journey. That’s why you shouldn’t multitask excessively. Trying to do everything at once will only hold you back from finishing tasks, which is why you should follow the next tip religiously…

DO: Take one step at a time

Structuring your workflow is one of the best things you can do. Our brain can only handle so much information at one instance, which is why breaking your study session down into a step-by-step process always carries its benefits.

Methods such as ‘chunking’ make it easier to remember large volumes of information. For example, remembering 155326894487 will seem difficult but breaking it down into 155 326 894 487 makes it easier to remember due to its structure. That, paired with a structure checklist of things to do will help you approach the light at the end of the tunnel with energy and optimism.

DON’T: Leave yourself in the dark

A common mistake done by most students is that they often plow through their notes, jotting down shorts notes and mindlessly repeating the syllabus with hopes that everything will come to mind when the exam starts. If students don’t gauge their performance throughout their studies, they will not know which areas need further improvement and increased studying, failing to capitalise on their time.

DO: Gauge your performance

Periodically testing your knowledge is the key to achieving great marks. Trying out past papers and doing worksheets does not only allow students to get a first-hand feel of going for an exam, but invites others to check out your performance and provide an honest critique on what needs to be worked on. That way, students will be able to go for an exam with a confident mindset, knowing that they have everything under control.

BONUS: Stay active

Prioritise physical activity at all costs as it can be one of the best motivators whilst studying. Introducing such activity into your daily routine contributes to strengthened memory, better concentration, improved mood and increased energy levels. Thankfully, KPMG promotes healthy lifestyles through different mediums such as sports days, fitness challenges, steps competitions, OCR challenges, football tournaments and much more!

Whether you’re starting your studies, gunning for an internship or approaching your student life’s finish-line, KPMG are here you to assist you in your journey towards graduation! From a super-helpful buddy system to an unmatched sense of team spirit, they are definitely worth getting in touch with. Interested in joining the KPMG family or kickstarting your career? Click HERE to apply.

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