As we approach exams, many students’ focus drift towards constantly studying and last minute cramming. However, getting plenty of sleep and continuing exercise is equally if not more important than a little extra studying during this busy season.
Throughout my high school career, the thing I have found most important to my academic success is getting consistent good sleep. When faced with an assignment or sleep, I always choose sleep, because I found if I constantly prioritize assignments, it becomes a slippery slope, wrecking my sleep schedule.
Having consistent sleep has benefited me in many ways, especially in that it makes it easier to pay attention in school and when studying. According to Harvard University, having a good sleep schedule causes better focus in school as well. So, even though it may seem like staying up a little later to study is necessary, this can actually lead to you having less productive study sessions in the future.
While it is clear that getting good sleep is important for getting good grades, it can still be difficult for some to get good sleep. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, there are many things that can be done to help increase your sleep. They suggest limiting usage of your phone directly before bedtime, avoiding taking naps in the afternoon and not using electronics in your bed.
Another common piece of advice is to limit caffeine intake. This can be difficult for some, because with a lack of sleep, you can easily become dependent on caffeine. However, this can become an endless cycle where a lack of sleep leads to overconsumption of caffeine, which in turn leads to a lack of sleep.
In addition to sleep, another key aspect I have found important throughout my high school career is consistent exercise. Before I ran year round, I found that my grades would drop slightly in the offseason, because I was no longer consistently exercising. The National Institute of Health backs up this anecdote, saying that getting exercise can improve cognitive ability and increase academic performance, due to increased oxygen flow and metabolic activity to the brain.
Finding time and places to exercise in the winter can be tough with so much going on and it being so cold outside, so it is important to take advantage of your resources. Using the school gym can be a good indoor option during the school day, so you can stay warm and optimize your time.
Getting exercise and sleep can also go hand in hand. Exercising can help make it easier to go to bed, so you will be not only more focused but also well rested.
So, while it is vitally important to study for your classes, especially with exams upcoming, it can be equally if not more important to take care of yourself by sleeping, exercising and doing things you enjoy.
