<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nTo make studying as efficient as possible, block out short, frequent periods of study time throughout\u00a0the week. From a learning perspective, studying one hour per day for six days per week is much more\u00a0valuable than studying for six hours all at once one day per week. Spacing out your preparation allows\u00a0your brain time to consolidate its new memories, and seeing the material repeatedly over a longer\u00a0period of time makes recalling the information on Test Day easier and faster. Three hours is an ideal\u00a0length of time to study: It\u2019s long enough to build up your stamina for the five-hour Test Day but not\u00a0so long that you become overwhelmed with too much information.
\nWithin those three-hour blocks, also plan to take 10-minute breaks every hour. Use these breaks to get\u00a0up from your seat, do some quick stretches, get a snack and a drink, and clear your mind. Although\u00a010 minutes of break for every 50 minutes of studying may sound like a lot, these breaks will allow\u00a0you to deal with distractions and rest your brain so that, during the 50-minute study blocks, you\u00a0can remain completely focused. Taking breaks more often than this, however, can be detrimental;\u00a0research shows that becoming fully engaged in a mentally-taxing activity generally takes 10 minutes,\u00a0so if you stop to check your email or social media, talk with your roommates, or grab yet another\u00a0snack every ten minutes while studying, you will never be completely engaged and will not be using\u00a0your time effectively.
\nIf you would like to study for more than three hours in one day, space out your studying with a\u00a0significant break in the middle. For example, you may study for three hours in the morning, take a\u00a0two-hour break to have lunch with your friends, then study for another two hours in the afternoon.
\nIf you are unable to study for a full three hours in one sitting, shorter amounts of time can work\u00a0as well, but you\u2019ll get the most benefit from your studying if you immerse yourself in the material\u00a0uninterrupted for at least one hour. For brief practice when you only have a few minutes, use\u00a0flashcards or other quick references instead.
\n