Sleep deprivation has swept the nation's youth, negatively affecting academic performance. Fortunately the brass Crusaders, along with several reputable scientists, have exposed the problem, making functional impairment a thing of the past. All it took was a little bit of…rest? [Dun, Dun, Dun]
And now, the continuation of SAT/ACT Season…
Part Two: Pay Attention
The creators of the SAT and ACT tests had to be crazy. Why else would someone subject high-schoolers to a 4-hour long exam? Given their immense lengths, it's important to maintain the utmost attention. Consider these tips for staying focused on the big day:
- They don't call breakfast the most important meal of the day for nothing. Studies show that breakfast consumption may improve memory and academic performance, while food insufficiency correlates with low math scores. Our bodies need fuel, especially early on to get us through the day. If you're not big on breakfast, at least give it a try the week prior to exams, or, if anything, the day of.
- When choosing breakfast foods, try eggs (or any other food high in Omega-3 fatty acids). If regularly consumed, Omega-3 can benefit the brain. A recent study, however, has shown that even short-term consumption of Omega-3 supplements can increase attention span. If breakfast is suddenly full of Omega-3, don't expect instant results, but any boost is worth a try.
- Drink plenty of water. Not only is it essential to good health, but water can substantially improve memory recall, says one study.
- You're allotted several breaks during both exams, so take water and snacks (nuts, cheese sticks, and veggies are recommended, both for Omega-3 content and density) to refuel during break time.
Stay tuned for Part Three: Waive the fees.
--Chris
Photo taken from this photostream and used with permission of a Creative Commons license.
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