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Female-Friendly Ways to Perform Better in College

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at PSU chapter.

It’s just about halfway through the semester and you may need a small refresher course on how to perform to the best of your ability. Whether you need to give your grades a boost or you are starting to prepare for dreaded Finals Week, these five female-friendly tips will give you the slight edge you need to secure your impressive GPA.

1.      Bright Nails

A tip that involves pampering yourself with a manicure and pedicure? No complaints here. Studies show that looking at bright colors while studying or taking exams has positive stimulating effects on the brain.  Choose your favorite neon color or refer to my suggestions below:

            Blue: Infuses the mind with a sense of restfulness and inner peace.

            Green: Relaxes the body physically and mentally.

            Yellow: The color of happiness, positive energy and optimism.

             Purple: Unleashes creativity and sparks intuition.    

2.      Familiar Scents

If you are in a situation where you can take a test in your own controlled setting, such as an online quiz on ANGEL, it is truly in your favor.  Since it has been proven that our sense of smell is the most powerful way to recall a memory, it is highly beneficial to smell the same scent while you are studying for an exam as well as while you are taking the test. You may do this by lighting a scented candle at your desk or wearing a certain perfume. However, the best way to unlock your memory is to use a scent that you don’t typically smell every day.

3.      Chewing

Stock up on your favorite flavor of gum – the act of chewing causes our hearts to pump more blood to our brain.  More blood provides more oxygen, and this helps our brains perform better.  It has also been shown that chewing causes us to pay attention better, so don’t forget to bring a pack to your next exam.

4.      Fun Supplies

Having colored pens and cute notebooks will make you more excited to take notes in class than you ever thought possible. Take a stroll through Maclanahan’s and pick up some new notebooks and writing utensils to make note taking slightly more bearable. You’d be surprised; you may even look forward to class next time.

5.      Caffeine

Swing by Starbucks in the HUB on the way to your exam and order your favorite coffee or blended beverage. Not only will it provide you with caffeine, but also sugar to keep your blood pumping and energy levels high. Those sugary drinks aren’t so bad after all. 

Photo Credit

Rachel Elman is currently a senior at Penn State University majoring in public relations and minoring in international studies. She recently returned from a semester abroad studying at the University of Sydney, Australia. Rachel plans to become a publicist in the entertainment industry. Follow her journey at @RachelElman on Twitter and Instagram!
Born and raised by two Nittany Lions, Rachel continued the tradition by attending Penn State University in the fall of 2009. Currently a senior journalism major, Rachel also spends her time minoring in both psychology and Spanish. During her sophomore year she wrote for the Greek newspaper at Penn State as a member of Alpha Xi Delta, followed by joining the Her Campus team as a writer and the Public Relations/Social Media Manager in the fall of her junior year. In search of mastering the Spanish language, Rachel indulged herself in the country of Spain for five months while she studied abroad in the city of Alicante during the spring of 2012. In order to keep her English up to par, Rachel blogged about her experiences for both her personal account and Her Campus at Penn State. With a love for shoes, smiles, and a good bowl of mac and cheese, this social media fiend never leaves her twitter by its lonesome. Follow Rachel @hayhayitsrayray as she pursues her dream as an aspiring magazine editor and world traveler.