The Campanile’s bell chimes twelve monotonous notes into the crisp Berkeley afternoon. Frantic advertisers flood the pathway down Upper Sproul into Sather Gate, desperate to promote their consulting org. Armed with flyers and an overwhelming enthusiasm, they approach the first person they make eye contact with. Mere moments later, a calculus lecture finishes in Wheeler Hall, prompting a line of famished students parallel to these solicitors. What delicacy will they order from the beloved Golden Bear Café? You get the picture: the fall semester has begun!
Those initial butterflies that accompany the beginning of the semester are inevitable as we craft our class schedules, hunt down cute school supplies, and scroll through Pinterest boards titled, “Study Aesthetic”. As the first week fades into a distant fog, the motivation to keep up with classes slowly declines. The eagerness to be as knowledgeable and put together as Rory Gilmore and Blair Waldorf only goes so far, posing an awfully difficult question: how can we keep up with our coursework without having to sacrifice every minute of our social lives?Â
Original photo by Hillary.
Figure Out Your Study Method
Everyone has their own way of retaining information that works for them. Simply reading off of class notes doesn’t help as much as you think it does. Techniques such as “The Blurting Method” where you write down everything about a subject from memory or “Active Recall” which is essentially creating flashcards and practice tests, can serve as useful tools to manage your study time better and learn productively. There is an abundance of approaches to studying — do your own research, explore a plan, and implement it into your next quiz!
Original photo by Hillary.
Create The Perfect Study Environment
CafĂ©s, parks, and one of UC Berkeley’s 27 libraries. There are an endless amount of endearing study spots to choose from! What kind of ambiance do you prefer? The animated, dynamic click-clacking of cups and concentrated aroma of coffee beans or the enthrallment and concentration as students lock in for a long night of staying at Moffitt? Each person has different settings they are capable of studying in, the goal is to find your most productive and reliable.Â
The photograph pictured is of The Hidden CafĂ© in West Berkeley, a homey, quaint site for studying. With seating for students and a large park outside, this spot is convenient and rejuvenating if you need a change of scenery.Â
Take Short Breaks & Sleep
Original photo by Hillary.
We’ve all experienced it: we get home from classes, climb into bed to relax, and scroll through our phones until we eventually feel too drowsy to undertake our mountain of homework. What’s the harm in taking a quick nap? Next thing you know, you wake up at midnight and have to spend all night finishing up assignments. This step is what most students fail at; we make bad habits as we pull all-nighters and lose out on sleep to study material. Speaking from personal experience, once we pull our attention away from studying, we end up procrastinating.
Taking breaks and sleeping are wonderful if done in moderation. The Pomodoro Technique is efficient at dividing up your studying and breaks to stop you from burnout. If the short, 10-minute breaks aren’t long enough for you, make a plan to be active in between study breaks instead of staying in your nook. Go to the gym, take a small walk outside, or go get food with some friends! The image above shows The Smokehouse in Berkeley–nourishment and company are the best ways to unwind after a study session.Â