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.
Middle school students had the opportunity to engage with a Black History Month bulletin board created by Sisters of Color members Zoe H. ’30, Maddie W. ’30, and Mia J ’30.
Lower school students shared a heartfelt thank you and goodbye to Friends Village last week, which has been their home throughout the 2025–26 school year during construction.
Reena Robinson ‘22, Alyssa Nathan ‘17 and Jocelyn Nathan ‘23 at Penn State’s fully student run THON fundraiser. Joce participated in a 46-hr no sitting, no sleeping dance marathon that raised over $18.8 million for pediatric cancer research and treatments.
Wilmington Friends School students spent the day learning, collaborating, and taking action at this year’s Youth Environmental Summit (YES) in Delaware.
“Excellence is your best bet against the odds. Every generation has a challenge, a challenge to become a greater generation. All of us cannot be famous—but all of us can be great, because all of us can serve.”
Coco the Kangaroo made another memorable stop on her year-long tour during this week’s Lower School Morning Gathering, when Mr. Aldridge helped her “hop” off to her next classroom adventure.
Easton Martinenza ’27, Justin Hutchful ’27, and Decker Reitemeyer ’27 represented Wilmington Friends School at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) conference in Ocean City, Maryland.
Josiah Fung ’29 earned two Gold Keys for his photography in the Delaware Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, a highly competitive program that honors the top creative work from students across the state.
As part of Black History Month celebrations, middle and upper school students met with Delaware’s Twin Poets Laureate, Nnamdi O. Chukwuocha (also a WFS parent) and Al Mills.
Five Wilmington Friends School eighth-grade students earned regional recognition in the Delaware Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, a highly competitive program that honors the top creative work from students across the State.
The WFS Ethics Bowl team competed in the 14th Annual Delaware Valley Regional High School Ethics Bowl at Villanova University, finishing 11th overall in a competitive field.
6th-grade students visited the Penn Museum to learn about Greek art and culture, supplementing their study of ancient Greece. Students toured galleries and participated in hands-on workshops led by archeology experts.
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Wilmington Friends School admits students of any race, color, gender, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students of these schools. Wilmington Friends School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national and ethnic origin in administration of their educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.