Mindful Studying Tips From a Delaware School Counselor
Danielle Litterelle
Meditation and breathing exercises can’t tackle your to do list, but they can help you calm down and center you to start again.
Here are some wellness tips to help you slow down and do your best as you approach mid-terms or finals.
Start with the right mindset by making a plan and organizing your workspace. Create a study calendar and start with the most difficult tasks first.
Step away from your studying. Be sure to give yourself breaks and incentives. It’s best to take a 10 minute break for every hour that you study.
Release stress with the power of music. Music, 60 seconds per beat, can cause the brain to synchronize with the beat and make you more focused. While studying, listen to light music in the background or grab your headphones. Give it a try with music by Mozart or Bach.
Turn off your phone. It is tempting to check your phone, but keep it out of reach.
Healthy routines make a difference in stress levels. In addition to getting a good night’s sleep (8-10 hours), make sure you eat a good breakfast the morning of the exam too.
If you are feeling tense and unable to relax, here are two great breathing exercises to help you calm your body and ease your mind:
Deep belly breathing
Start by breathing in through your nose. Draw the air into your belly rather than your chest.You can put your hands lightly on your stomach so you can be aware of your belly rising and falling. Breathe out through your mouth at least two-to-three times as long as you inhale. Be sure to relax your neck and shoulders. Repeat.
5-5-5 Breathing
Inhale very slowly through your nose for five seconds: 1-2-3-4-5. Exhale very slowly through your nose or mouth for five seconds: 1-2-3-4-5. Wait for five seconds: 1-2-3-4-5. Repeat the process three more times.
If you are interested in more mindfulness and relaxation techniques, download: Headspace, Calm, or Insight Timer.
Thanks to WFS MS/US Counselor Danielle Litterelle for her contributions to this article.
Kindergarten students celebrated El Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings Day) by wearing their "coronas" and leaving their shoes outside of their classroom in anticipation and hopes that the Three Kings would swing by WFS and leave treats! They were in luck!
WFS archivist and longtime teacher Terry Maguire recently enjoyed tea and conversation with alumnus John Bonifaz ’84—reconnecting over shared history and a lifelong commitment to purpose-driven work.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Alumni & Friends Holiday Singing Meeting for Worship last week. It was wonderful to welcome so many familiar faces back on campus and to share in a meaningful time of reflection and song.
During a recent middle school Forest Time (Shinrin-yoku) experience, students embraced learning and reflection in the woods following a light dusting of snow.
10th-grade chemistry students tackled electrochemistry with a hands-on copper-plating ornament project, discovering how chemical reactions deposit metal onto objects.
After our annual “The Thing in the Gym” celebration, seniors and their first-grade buddies connected by playing games, sharing holiday plans, and creating festive cards together. These moments highlight the special cross-grade relationships that are a part of life at Wilmington Friends School.
The 8th grade choir traveled to Kendal-Crosslands to spread holiday cheer through music! Singing for the residents of both communities, the student musicians enjoyed sharing their talents and celebrating the holiday season with this special group.
Thanks to middle school parents Inna Snyder and Julia Morse Forester '00, working alongside Jewish Student Union (JSU) advisor Shoshana Kaplan, students enjoyed a meaningful and delicious Hanukkah celebration.
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