Give me a break

The current global situation has required all of us to adjust the way we learn. We are spending more hours than usual in front of a screen, seated in confined settings with less structure. Maintaining an active study schedule is an essential element of learning a language. However, did you know that maintaining an active break schedule can be just as important?

Taking a break, having time to relax and to reboot is important for maintaining your productivity levels and reaching your learning goals. We look at how taking breaks can benefit your education and we give our tips for making the most out of your break time. You may be surprised at the benefits that taking breaks can have on your study and learning.

Check out our 5 tips for making the most out of your break time

Take shorter breaks more often

Taking shortermaintain your mood, sleep/rest cycles, increases creativity and attention breaks has been shown to increase students attention and focus. The longer we are stimulated by the same or similar information, the less attention we pay it overtime. By taking short and more regular breaks, students can increase their learning efficiency and reduce fatigue.

Get Active

Get up from your study area and get active. Moving your body increases blood flow and reduces stiffness, even a quick stretch next to your desk can have rejuvenating benefits. So why not go for a quick walk to refresh your mind and body for the next study session. 

Eat

Perhaps our favourite tip, and certainly one of the most important things to help you study, is to ensure you are eating healthy food and remain hydrated. Being dehydrated can impair cognitive performance and negatively impact your working memory. Ensuring you have the right amount of fuel to maintain your energy levels helps you remain focussed on the task at hand. A quick snack break has many tasty benefits.

Break free of the screen

We spend so much time staring at a screen whether studying, scrolling social media or even reading this blog. Screens are everywhere in our modern life, but allowing your mind time away from a screen can increase your capacity for creative activity and play, enabling improved brain function. Reducing screen time also helps maintain your mood, sleep/rest cycles, increases creativity and attention.

Plan your break time

Students everywhere would admit to ‘cramming’ before a test or exam. While this overlearning may help you pass a test the next day, it doesn’t support longer-term learning and retention. By planning in your break times and committing to them, you maintain your focus and retention capacity over an extended period of time. Planning your learning and break times will help you feel less overwhelmed, reduce the likelihood of cramming before your next deadline and help you retain information better in the long term.

We encourage all our students to implement regular breaks into their study schedule. Taking regular and active breaks has many positive benefits for your mind, body and education. After your online classes, take some time to reflect on your lesson and learning, get up from your screen and books, and enjoy the learning benefits of a break.

For more study tips and useful resources for students check out our blog.

Published on – 26th May 2020

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