Study Breaks During CBSE Class 12 Board Exam 2024 Preparation: How to Effectively Utilize?

“Sometimes the Most Productive Thing You Can Do is Relax," - Mark Black.

The above proverb fits best in today's academic life, where students struggle between submitting several assignments, doing projects, attending classes, or doing homework. However, the situation gets slightly overwhelming when the Class 12th board exams knock on the door.

Undoubtedly, board exams, whether Class 10th or 12th, play a vital role in a student’s life. The scores obtained in the board exams determine the eligibility and credibility of students to secure admission to a top college of their choice. 

No wonder candidates put extra effort into performing well, as scoring 90% marks in board exams is a tough nut to crack. It requires dedicated & continuous hours of study every day for 8-12 months with a focused mind & frequent revision. 

Thus, many candidates study for long hours without taking breaks, often resulting in forgetting things they’ve learned, depression, and exertion of mind. Taking breaks helps improve concentration and relaxes our minds for better retention.

This article discussed the importance of taking breaks and explained how to utilize study breaks wisely during board exam preparation.

Benefits & Importance of Taking Breaks for Students

Are study breaks important? Various studies show that taking breaks in your daily study routine is vital in enhancing your attention capabilities. Plus, they can also lift mood and performance. 

Breaks enable our body to rejuvenate short-term energy, further preventing long-term exhaustion. But, according to studies, the longer you study without breaks, the more your brain is exhausted.

• It helps improve your focus & memory.

• It reduces stress & fatigue associated with board examinations

• It enables our brain to retain the information longer as our mind is likely less occupied. 

• It boosts productivity.

Top Smart Study Break Ideas To Boost Your Productivity 

We came to know the significance & importance of taking breaks, but how to be productive when studying for exams? 

There are plenty of ways to utilize breaks, but remember, different methods work for different people and can vary. So, you need to find the best effective refreshing method for you. 

Allowing yourself a little break is a good way to stay on track. Here, we share Do’s and Dont’s during your study breaks. Take a look:

What To Do During A Study Break

If you’re looking for what to do during study breaks, below are some great ideas to refresh your mind. Here they are as follows:

1. Go For A Walk

Got yourself a 15-20 minute study break? Step outside of your home, go for a walk, and get some fresh air. Moving your body helps re-energize you. When you’ve been studying all day indoors, grab your headphones and stroll around. It will separate you from your daily routine for a while.

2. Stretch Your Body

What to do during study breaks? Since you’ve been indulging in a continuous study sitting in the same position for long hours, stretching your muscles out can help you feel relaxed and more energised.

3. Meditate 

Meditating to release stress and anxiety is not new. People have been practising it for ages to get a calm & peaceful environment for a few minutes. During your tight study schedules, meditation can help you get relaxed, & a focused mind.

4. Tidy Things Up

How to utilize study breaks wisely during board exam preparation? The best idea is to tidy up your study spot. It can be difficult to focus amidst a mass. 

5. Take a Quick Shower

Studying for long hours often makes you feel dizzy & tired. Taking a bath will help you feel refreshed and revitalised.

6. Grab Healthy Snacks

During your study breaks, you can have some healthy snacks to feel energised, such as fruits, dry fruits, raw veggies, etc.

7. Talk To A Friend/Family Member

How to be productive when studying for exams? Conversation with friends or family can help you divert your mind and make you feel happy.

What NOT to Do During A Study Break

There are also a few things that you should avoid during your study breaks. Here they are as follows:

1. Taking a Nap and Calling it a Power Nap

Many students think that taking a nap during study breaks can make their minds relax & recharge for a bit, but it can make them feel more tired and dizzy or even slow down their productivity. 

2. Grabbing Junk Food

During continuous hours of study, grabbing some tempting & sugary snacks or junk food seems quite easy to calm our cravings. Still, it doesn’t provide nutritional benefits and even drains your energy to stick to your studies, as you may feel like sleeping.

3. Watching Shows, Playing Games, Or Surfing the Web

The most common activity students often lure during their study breaks is going online, watching movies, or browsing social media. But these activities don’t genuinely contribute to your efficiency; rather, they can make you feel more tired than you are.

4. Consuming Too Much Coffee

Though drinking coffee to get rid of tiredness & dizziness is common, excessive caffeine consumption has several adverse effects, such as digestive issues, insomnia, further addiction, etc.

Wrapping Up

Now you know why you should take breaks while studying. Taking breaks between your study sessions is a great idea to focus effectively and prevent your mind from getting cluttered or fatigued. Simultaneously, board exams are vital in students’ lives, so effectively utilising the time between studies and breaks is critical to perform well.