Weekly Wellness Newsletter - Winter - Week 9

Winter Quarter, Week 9

Kick off finals week the right way... by escaping the cold and spending the day at the annual Water Tower Place Indoor Farmers Market.

Featuring more than 75 local vendors, the market offers everything from produce to artisan cheeses, freshly baked pastries, and other goodies. Throughout the afternoon, you can also enjoy chef-led cooking demonstrations, interactive workshops, and live music as you browse the booths.

Make a Study Plan
- It’s helpful to organize the material you need to review for each class and prioritize the subjects that require extra attention. Focus especially on topics you haven’t studied much yet or courses you find may need an extra bit of attention. Google Calendar or a physical planner is your best friend when it comes to organizing exam dates and study timelines!
Switch up Your Study Locations
- Not only does UChicago offer a variety of different libraries and coffee shops that simulate peak study environments, but psychologists actually find that switching up your study spots can help your brain retain information across different environments. Try to rotate your favorite study sports to keep things interesting. My personal favorite is the Reynolds Club, but there are plenty of great options both on and off campus to get your study on.
Work Through the Information Out Loud
- Teaching material back to yourself out loud is a great study strategy. Explaining concepts in your own words reinforces what you’ve read and helps you actively engage with the material. If you have a friend nearby, try teaching the material to them. Being able to explain a concept to someone else clearly is a great way to test whether you really understand it.
Take Breaks
- Just like pulling an all-nighter isn’t always the best way to go, studying for hours without breaks isn’t ideal either. If you’re planning a long study session, it’s important to build in some breaks to help your brain recharge. One effective method is to take a 10-minute break for every 50 minutes of focused studying. While I myself do love a TikTok scroll, it’s good to take a break from devices. Try taking a short walk or stretch instead.

Flashcards or Filmed Lectures: How Do You Learn Best?

Finals week is quickly approaching, and if you're anything like me, you're already deep in exam prep and final essay mode 😭. Throughout your education, you've probably had a wide range of teachers, each with their own unique teaching style. Some classes may have flown by, while others had you watching the clock 🕐, waiting for freedom.

While every teacher has their own approach, have you ever wondered which learning style actually helps you learn best?

This quiz will help you explore your learning style. Learning styles refer to the different ways we prefer to process and retain information. The quiz explores the three main types, which are auditory, visual, and kinesthetic, as well as a few others you may not have heard of before. Click below to find out which learning style fits you best as we wrap up the quarter!

The Myth of the All-Nighter 😴

This video tells a story many of us know all too well: the forbidden all-nighter.

The video walks you through what actually happens in your brain as the night goes on, explaining how all-night studying may help you remember material temporarily, but rarely leads to long-term retention. It also breaks down that sudden burst of energy you feel when the sun rises, and your brain slows its release of melatonin. While that early-morning boost can make you feel alert for a short time, it’s often followed by a harsh energy crash.

Even in the middle of finals season, it’s important to prioritize sleep and self-care. Click the video to learn more about how your brain functions during an all-nighter and how you can study more effectively without sacrificing rest.