LPT: How to Stay Productive During Long Study Sessions (From a Med Student Who’s Been There)

Hey everyone! As a 3rd-year pre-med student drowning in exams, I’ve had to learn some tricks to stay focused during those marathon study sessions. Here’s what’s worked for me:

1. The 50/10 Rule: Study for 50 mins, break for 10. Your brain retains info better in chunks, and those 10 mins are perfect for a quick walk or a snack.

2. Hydration Station: Keep a water bottle handy. Dehydration = fatigue, and we don’t need that during an all-nighter.

3. Active Recall > Passive Reading: Instead of re-reading notes, quiz yourself. It’s backed by research (look up the testing effect!) and saves time.

4. Change Your Scenery: If you’ve been at your desk for hours, move to a library couch or a coffee shop. New environment = mental reset.

5. Phone Jail: Seriously, put it in another room. Out of sight, out of mind.

Bonus tip: If you’re cramming anatomy like me, sketch structures instead of just memorizing. It sticks way better.

What are your go-to study hacks? Would love to hear what works for others!