A vacation can relax both your mind and body, which is why it can help stressed-out students to unwind when tackling a paper or before a big test. While you might not like the idea of studying when in a beautiful location, it is a sacrifice you might need to make to receive a respected diploma and walk into your dream career at the end of it all. If you want to pass a test with flying colours while still enjoying your getaway, read the following eight top tips for studying on vacation.
1. Use the Journey
It doesn’t matter if you are travelling by air, land, or sea; you should use the journey to and from a destination to study. You also could use the following study aids:
- Digital or physical flashcards
- Audio lectures
- Multiple-choice questions
Look for ways to improve your focus during travel, such as wearing high-quality headphones, using a neck pillow, and drinking plenty of water.
2. Study at the Right Time
There will likely be times during a break when you will be filled with energy or eager to relax and laze around. Sightseeing is ideal when you are bursting with energy, and you should pull out a textbook or a laptop when you want to relax by the pool or on the beach. It will ensure you focus 100% of your attention on a topic, which could help you to retain information.
3. Plan a Strict Study Itinerary
It might, however, be beneficial to schedule study time into your trip, which will ensure you don’t miss out on an attraction or activity. An itinerary will ensure you have time for both work and play. You can then inform your travel buddies when you will need to study, which could avoid frustration or disappointment.
4. Ask Questions
You might have a few questions when completing coursework or studying for a test. Rather than struggling in silence and ruining your vacation, you should reach out to the experienced faculty for support.
For example, respected online nurse practitioner programs often have a faculty of nurse educators who can provide answers to many questions during a budding nurse practitioner’s time on the flexible course.
Reaching out for help when you need it will allow you to move on from a problem, so you can focus on completing your coursework or studying toward a test, so you can maximize your study time abroad.
5. Wake Up Early to Study
If you don’t want to spend many hours hitting the books, wake up a little earlier when on vacation, if possible. It will allow you to tackle a chapter or two while everyone is asleep, and you will not be distracted by your other half, family, or friends. However, you must enjoy at least seven to eight hours of sleep to maintain good focus.
6. Add Textbooks onto an E-Reader
Instead of carrying many heavy textbooks with you on vacation, take an e-reader and stock up on titles. It will ensure the book, chapter, or paragraph you need will be a click away, and you can even highlight quotes to refer to if needed. It could make it easier to complete a paper during a getaway.
7. Improve Your Internet Connection
You might struggle with a poor internet connection when overseas. Rather than allowing bad Wi-Fi to slow you down, take a portable wireless dongle with you. It could provide easy access to a university portal, various professional journals, industry articles, and productivity software, such as Office 365 or Google Drive. However, you must review the roaming fees with your network provider before a trip.
8. Eat Well
Poor diet choices can impair your focus and decrease your energy level. Rather than overindulging on fatty foods and sugars on vacation, you should maintain a healthy diet that will boost your brainpower. For example, you should consume foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E. You also could benefit from drinking plenty of water, steering clear of alcohol, and taking a vitamin supplement.
A vacation at home or overseas could help you step away from everyday stresses, which can clear your mind and improve your focus. However, if you have an important test coming up or a big paper to complete, there is no reason why you can’t study abroad.
Look for ways to maximize your study time during a getaway, such as cramming the books on the journey, maintaining a healthy diet, taking an e-reader, and creating a strict study itinerary.
