We can all agree upon the fact that adequate preparation is needed to succeed and excel on our final exams. One thing we may underestimate the importance of, however, are study breaks. Some may make a not-so-brief pause to binge-watch their favorite Netflix series or take a trip with some friends to Sonic as if leaving campus made their stacks of study material suddenly disappear.

Other students such as junior Corbett Hall use their study break time wisely, in a way that promotes the retention of information or is just simply not a waste of time.

“During my study breaks, I take a 10 minute walk outside or make a call home to keep everything in perspective,” Corbett Hall said. “It makes it a lot easier to focus on my studying when I remember why I’m studying in the first place. My family and friends are a big encouragement, and I like to keep in touch with them for motivation.”

Sophomore Amber Ward also takes study breaks that are profitable and relaxing.

“It’s so nice to take the time to set everything else down and just focus on yoga, just stretching my body and taking time to be alone with myself,” Ward said. “Even in just 30 minutes I can physically, mentally and spiritually feel like stress has been released.”

Another aspect of exam preparation that we may overlook or may not even acknowledge as preparation at all is deciding what outfit to wear to take your exam. This may seem trivial to some of you, and you may be asking how your chosen ensemble can affect your readiness and ultimately your performance on the exam, but other students beg to differ.

There is an increasing number of students that have embraced the idea of “Dress Well, Test Well”, realizing that wearing nicer clothes to their final exams ultimately gives them more confidence, eases their nerves and puts them in the right mindset to do well on their exams.

One of these students is sophomore Kelsey Evans.

“The better I dress, the better I feel,” Evans said. “It gives me a sense of confidence that would otherwise be lacking. If I have spent a great deal of time studying and am confident in my knowledge of the material, then I should be just as confident in my appearance.”

Junior Brent Hall also participates in “Dress Well, Test Well”.

“I think it helps take off the testing nerves,” Brent Hall said. “By getting up a little earlier, taking a bit longer to get dressed, for some reason it puts me more at ease and I feel better prepared. There’s something about looking nice that makes you look and feel like you know what you’re doing.”

Go forth and study, make productive breaks and plan your outfits according to how well you want to do on your exams. Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor.