Other Tips To Help With Your Study

When you are trying to fit your study into your everyday life it is essential that you make the most of the time you have. So, as well as making sure you have a quiet, warm, well lit and comfortable place to study you should also try the following tips to enhance the study process.

Music

• baroque music at 60 beats-per-minute is thought to put the brain in a ‘bright and breezy’ state by creating more alpha waves. This alpha state is highly conducive to learning and creativity. Some to try are Bach’s ‘Brandenburg Concerto #3’ ‘Allemande (Cello Suite 3)’ and S. Weiss ‘Bourree’ or you could try something like this: www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRfZIdK9Gb4
  
  
• music designed especially for helping with serious studying and deep concentration, such as Eno’s ‘Music for Airports’, have proven highly effective
  
  
• ambient music or sound is designed to keep your brain engaged at a lower, subconscious level. Sounds like waterfalls, rain or waves have this effect.
  
  
• electronic music from genres such as ambient, trip-hop, trance and so on are designed to relax the mind and allow it to absorb information

Simply try out different types of music and find one that helps you the most.

Food and Drink

Food and drink are very important factors in making your brain work to the best of its ability. There are certain foods that feed the brain and foods that help with the different functions, memory for instance. The same applies to drinks. And, knowing a little about these will allow you to make sensible food and drink choices to maximise your study time.

Brain Food

The brain feeds exclusively on glucose, so it makes sense to provide a steady stream whilst you are studying. Glucose is obtained from carbohydrates and you should try to use complex carbohydrates. These foods help to create mental focus and optimize brain power. Complex carbohydrates can be found in the following foods:

• grains – oats, popcorn (without sugar or salt), brown rice, barley and quinoa
• fruits – apples, apricots, cherries, kiwi, grapes, pears, plums
• vegetables – beetroot, raw carrots, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage
• legumes – chickpeas, butterbeans, lentils, blackeyed beans, kidney beans

Drink

The number one factor in keeping your brain functioning at its maximum capacity is water. When you realise that the brain is approximately 85% water, it’s not hard to see why this is the case. And, water provides the brain with the electrical it needs for all its function, including thought and memory processes. Do not drink sodas or fruit juices – they contain too much simple sugar. They’ll give you a temporary boost that will be short-lived. And, avoid drinks that contain caffeine too!

How Much Water Should You Drink

The ideal amount of water you should drink is about 1.2 litres a day. This equates to roughly six 200ml glasses. You should try to drink this throughout the day so that when you come to study your brain is hydrated and functioning fully.

Remember, when your brain has a full reserve of water to work with, you will be more focused, experience greater clarity, increased creativity and be able to think faster.

For more on this subject please visit http://www.fi.edu/learn/brain/carbs.html