Burning midnight Candles

CEBU, Philippines - Students need to “burn those candles” to finish the academic year on a high note with high grades. But do sleepiness and lethargy kick in once you open your books and notes? Battle them through these tips:

1. Time Management. This may be overkill but having a strict studying routine would surely help. Read in advance and start an hour-reading-habit every night. Study one week prior to an exam and start your study session early so you would finish early also. In that way, you’d be finished before your eyes and brain prompt you to surrender to the bed.

2. Rehydration. Drink a glass of water from time to time to stave off dehydration which is said to make a person sleepy. Aside from fighting drowsiness, water is also good for the skin. Wouldn’t you want to accomplish a school requirement and at the same time keep your skin healthy?

3. In-betweeners. Take a 15-minute break by watching a tv show, listening to some music, or talking to a friend. Just get yourself away from all the notes you have to study but be time-bound. You might go for a power nap but end up waking an hour before your scheduled exam. That would be disastrous, wouldn’t it?

4. Nibble. Healthy snacks are effective in fighting sleep. Go for fruits like apples because they stabilize the blood sugar levels; in fact, they work even better than caffeinated drinks. Never binge on junk foods for they are counteractive and are like lullabies singing you off to sleep.

5. Bed weather. It will be a bad idea to study inside your bedroom where the comfy bed and pillows are in sight. In order to resist such temptation, stay away. Study at your veranda or in the living room, instead.

6. Aromatherapy. Certain fragrances keep stupor away because they stimulate the nervous system. Light a scented candle or pour in some essential oils like rosemary and eucalyptus. Sniffing on peppermint and coffee beans also increase alertness.

Prepping for your exams and meeting those deadlines wouldn’t be a problem to you anymore with these tips. Face March (and all the school requirements that come with it) headstrong.