Last Updated on November 16, 2021 by Jacques Wong, B.Sc.
If you ask 1000 people about what study tips they have for your insurance exam, you will get 1000 different answers. Of all the advice people give to help someone study, sleep is probably the most important one. Unfortunately, it is also one that is most often overlooked.
When we’re not busy studying or working, we can all agree that sleep is super important for both physical and mental well-being. But how come when we’re talking about productivity, we seem to forget that getting by on less sleep isn’t a sustainable way to go? Everyone is so focused on studying that they are forgetting to actually get some rest!
Work Smarter, Not Harder
I’ve always advocated that students “sleep on it” if they’re struggling to memorize or understand a particular concept because it has worked well for me in the past. But only recently have I discovered that there is a neurological basis for this.
As it turns out, during REM sleep is when our ideas crystallize into memories and we combine them to form new thoughts and see connections we couldn’t with our conscious mind. So, my advice when you are stuck on a particular concept or can’t seem to memorize anything? Sleep on it.
Don’t Have Time For a Power Nap?
If your schedule is way to packed to entertain taking a power nap while studying, I also recommend day dreaming or exercise. Take 5-10 minutes out of your day to let your brain rest and your mind wander. Try it out and you’ll be amazed at how much this actually help you with retention. Personally, I like to take a long hot shower if I’m struggling with something.
Call to Action
The bottom line is this: don’t try to brute force your way to understanding something. This is one of those cases where hard work just isn’t enough. Of course, you still need to have the grit to grind through the times where you don’t really want to study but you know you need to but grit is not the be all and end all. Try to study smarter, not harder.