Breathing

• Around Australia, Year 12 students are heading into the final stretch of study before exams start in early term 4.
• But, as our research shows, it is also important to rest during this time if you want to maximise your performance.
• But rest breaks can be beneficial on even shorter time frames, during study sessions and even during exams themselves.

Firstly, try and get some sleep

• The big risk here is that lack of sleep can do more harm than good.
• Sleep plays an important role in a range of brain functions, including maintaining attention and consolidating memories.


For more information about sleep, the Sleep Health Foundation has specific advice for high school students.

You need study breaks

• When we study, we’re using our working memory (processing of small amounts of information, needed for things like comprehension and problem-solving).
• Without breaks, over time, these working memory resources become depleted and we notice it’s harder and harder to concentrate.
• This suggests building in short rest breaks during study can help you learn.

How do you build in breaks?

Here are some specific strategies to help you get the rests you need:

Also take breaks during exams

• But just as rest breaks during study can help restore attention, breaks during exams themselves may also be helpful.
• Breaks are a common part of exams for students with disability provisions, but with some planning, all students might benefit from breaks.
• A common strategy you can use to prepare for Year 12 exams is to complete past exam papers.
• These routines can also activate the “relaxation response” – the opposite of the “flight-or-flight” response we experience under stressful conditions (including exams).