3 study hacks to boost your academic performance

If you're studying for a big exam and have lots of material to cover, one of the keys to success is making efficient use of your time. Improve your results with these 3 study hacks for working smarter.

Performance anxiety is a real issue for many students and studying can quickly turn fear into panic. In order to master your mind before studying, make sure you are using the proper studying mentality.

• Before you get going, remind yourself why you are studying and how the examination you are preparing for will affect your progress as a student. Then, resolve to study with an open mind.
• By approaching your studies with a sense of curiosity instead of fear, you can make the process of studying more pleasant and stave off panic before it begins.
• The right mindset can make the difference between an increasing sense of doom and a feeling that your curiosity is leading to knowledge. It's a subtle shift, but an important one.

One of the most effective study hacks is to turn memorization into a game. You can do this alone or with a study partner.

• After rewriting your notes and organizing your study materials, spend some time deciding how you can turn your study session into a game. You may wish to turn flash card review into a scored or timed competition, or figure out the most outlandish mnemonic device possible to help you remember a complex concept or chain of events.
• Then, play the game over and over again, trying to beat your own score and fostering a healthy sense of competition with your study mates.

It's counter-intuitive, but sometimes the worst study habit of all is too much studying. When you work for long periods without a break, you rob your brain of the chance to process and integrate all that you have learned, which can backfire on test day.

• For more effective studying, be sure to work in frequent breaks.
• During each break, turn off your computer, stretch your body and do something completely different. Hang out with a friend, go for a jog or watch a movie. And don't forget to build mini-breaks into each study session as well.
• Your brain – and your grades – will thank you for this more balanced approach to studying.

Strong performance on an exam starts with studying smarter, not longer!