Good eating=good study habits

After weeks of sleeping late, snacking uncontrollably, and inadequate studying, a semester break tends to be more harmful than helpful to a students study life.
During semester break, many students tend to alter their eating and sleeping habits making it hard to get back into the wild world of late night studying.
Research completed by therapists in the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), states that it is important for a college student to eat a balance breakfast, lunch and dinner.
“A proper diet for an individual is five evenly proportioned meals,” said Theodore Riley, instructor of biological sciences at Southern University “Eating proper meals can help a student deal with bodily stress.”
Researchers on the web site Student Advantage.com, proof that eating five healthy meals helps a student’s body and mind handle the stress of daily school tasks like studying late night hours.
Healthy snacks are also a good way to keep students’ mind in tact. Fruit, yogurt, whole grain breads and cereals are found to be the best study snacks. Students should avoid high amounts of caffeine because it is known to cause nervousness and headaches that can later cause a student to miss valuable class time. A student should also be on the look out for foods that are loaded with carbohydrates that can leave them feeling quite sluggish.
For example, a student, who substitutes a Snickers candy bar for a balanced meal, may satisfy his or her cravings, but will eventually increase their chances of weight gain, mood swings, and a case of “crash and burn”.
Remember that eating is only one part of a healthy lifestyle. Another important factor is R & R, or “Rest and Relaxation”. Studies show that it is important to allow yourself to get eight full hours of rest.
A well thought-out plan is the final step to studying. Researchers from University of North California listed the following eight steps a sure way to help students improve their studying skills:
* Decide what and how much to study
* Perform the most difficult task first
* Have a proper place that has a comfortable temperature, good lighting, access to materials, and very little noise.
* Study 50 minutes and take a 10 minute to break, stretch, and have a light snack
* Allow yourself time to organize and review information
* If tired, switch subject that you are studying
* Review materials before falling asleep
* Have a study partner so you both can quiz each other on material being reviewed.
So, the next time semester break rolls around you will be able to keep yourself in a studying mode. Remember that, keeping consistent study habits makes it easier to return to face the ups and downs that the next semester offers.