**Bonus blog post. It’s time for our midterm, Social Hokies, so I’m offering up my personal study habits. Not sure if these things are scientifically proven or just myths, but I follow them religiously before a big exam!

1.  Find a place to study with no distractions. I cannot work at home. I sort through old junk, try on clothes or get stuck on social media. I like to study on campus, particularly in Torg. bridge. I feel pressured to work because I’m taking up a valuable desk seat and I know passersby would judge me for playing Candy Crush. Do what works for you.
2. Chew a different flavor of gum than your usual while you are studying and THEN AGAIN during the test. The unique flavor is supposed to spark your memory. More about that here.
3. Make sure to get at least 90 minutes of sleep in between studying and test time. Studies have shown that your REM cycle helps solidify information in your memory. (Think “Inside Out”)
4. Take breaks. I like to study by sections and reward myself for getting through a chunk of material. Get a snack. Talk to a friend. Watch a show. Do some jumping jacks. Then get back to it!
5. Get to the test location early and go through your notes. Your mind will associate the information with different places in the room. Public speakers in the roman forum used this technique, known as the roman room.
6. Repetition. Repetition. Repetition.

Good luck, people!