Some of us can still hear this ear-splitting cry all the way from 1997. Whether you were Team Ross or Team Rachel on this one, the point of the episode was clear. Not everyone has the same idea of what to do with a break.
For students, breaks can look like a quick 10 minute walk between studying subjects or actually leaving town with friends or family to enjoy an entire Spring Break. Either way, pauses in your students’ day/semester are there to fuel and not fail them. For this post, we’ll look at a few ways your student can maximize their time away and return more productive:
Practice Mini Reviews. There’s nothing worse than coming back from a long weekend or vacation feeling fuzzy on material you invested so much time learning the week before. But remember, a break in routine does not have to work against you! Researchers have found that having gaps between study sessions can actually increase test scores as much as 64%.
Rest and Fuel Your Body. We know- vacations are for staying up late and being off schedule, and we don’t want to kill your vibe. If staying on a good schedule is not realistic, consider not scheduling early morning activities or filling up the break with too many events. Start leaning back into your normal sleep/wake routine a few days before returning. Be sure to move your body whether it’s a brisk walk each day or longer workout session. Yes, enjoy fun foods, but not at the risk of coming back feeling like you’re in a coma! Stay mindful of filling your plate with color, getting good proteins, hydrating, and eating healthy snacks.
Set up Accountability. Make a goal of touching base mid-break with a study partner or your Academic Coach. A mid-break check in is a GREAT way to own your academic journey, practice initiating to others, and to see firsthand the positive results of community and accountability.
Leave Yourself a Reminder. Chances are, even with great habits like the ones above, you may come back needing a refresher. Outline a list of things you want to review when you get back to your desk. Keep it in a note on your phone or write it out in your planner. Future you will be grateful for the refresher and to come back to a practical plan instead of not knowing where to start!
Breaks are an excellent way, if used correctly, for your student to come back to their desk/routine more focused and productive. As Daniel Pink writes in When: the Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing:
I started thinking about breaks as part of my performance, not as a deviation from my performance, and you should too.
