Ace Your Tests: 10 Brain-Boosting Hacks for Students

 

Your brain power has a direct impact on your academic success.

You probably already know this.

But do you know about the many simple ways you can make sure your brain is working at its best?

 

Here are 10 brain-boosting hacks for students:

1. Get enough sleep.

When you don’t get enough sleep, your brain can’t function at its best. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night.

 

2. Eat a healthy diet.

Eating nutritious foods gives your brain the fuel it needs to function properly. Avoid processed foods, sugary drinks, and excessive caffeine and alcohol.

 

3. Exercise regularly.

Exercise is great for your overall health, including your brain health. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.

 

4. Take breaks when studying.

It’s important to take breaks when studying to give your brain a chance to rest and recharge. Get up and move around every 20-30 minutes, or take a longer break every hour or two.

 

5. Use active learning strategies.

Passive learning, such as reading and re-reading notes, is not as effective as active learning strategies, such as creating flashcards, summarizing concepts in your own words, and teaching the material to someone else.

 

6. Get organized.

Having a cluttered and disorganized study space can be distracting and make it difficult to focus. Take some time to declutter and organize your study space so that you have a comfortable and productive place to work.

 

7. Manage stress.

Stress can impair cognitive function and make it difficult to learn and remember information. Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as exercise, yoga, meditation, or spending time in nature.

 

8. Reward yourself for your accomplishments.

Rewarding yourself for your accomplishments will help you stay motivated and on track. Choose rewards that you enjoy and that will help you relax and de-stress.

 

9. Surround yourself with positive people.

The people you spend time with can have a big impact on your mood and your overall well-being. Surround yourself with positive people who support your goals and make you feel good about yourself.

 

10. Believe in yourself.

Having a positive attitude is essential for success in any area of life, including academics. Believe in yourself and your ability to succeed.

 

Bonus tip: Practice mindfulness.

Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment. It has been shown to have a number of benefits for cognitive function, including improved attention, focus, and memory.

 

Here is a simple mindfulness exercise that you can try:

  • Find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed.
  • Sit comfortably in a chair or on the floor.
  • Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.
  • Bring your attention to your breath. Notice the rise and fall of your chest as you breathe in and out.
  • When your mind wanders, gently bring it back to your breath.
  • Continue this practice for 5-10 minutes.

You can also practice mindfulness throughout the day by paying attention to your surroundings and your thoughts and feelings without judgment. For example, when you are walking to class, notice the sights, sounds, and smells around you. When you are studying, notice any thoughts or feelings that come up and acknowledge them without judgment.

 

Final Thoughts

By following one or all of these brain-boosting hacks, you can improve your cognitive function significantly and perform better at tests!

If you are at the beginning of your academic journey, would like to increase your SAT/ACT/PSAT score, and are seeking professional tutoring support beyond the tips discussed in this blog, I am happy to help!

What I have seen confident and motivated teenagers accomplish in my 26+ years of tutoring experience as Mr. Test Prep is remarkable and has convinced me of their great potential. This conviction is perhaps my strongest asset as a mentor, a coach, an educator and a friend.

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Mr. Romano is the best tutor I have ever worked with… EVER!! I had gone to previous SAT prep centers, but none of them gave me the help and results that Mr. Romano did! One thing that was different with Mr. Romano, was that I actually enjoyed attending his test preps, and would even look forward to them!! As a busy student, with multiple extra curricular activities, his flexible schedule and no homework policy made prepping for the SAT less stressful! Mr. Test Prep’s one-on-one assistance helped me to not only identify my mistakes, but understand, and correct them as well. Also, Mr. Romano’s relaxed demeanor and constant positive attitude created a wonderful learning environment, which helped me improve my score by 500+ points! I also scored in the 700s on my SAT Subject Tests too! Mr. Romano totally prepared me for these exams, and I know I would not have been able to do as well as I did without him! Because of Mr. Romano, I am more confident in my test taking and academic abilities! Mr. Test Prep is more than a tutor! He is a mentor, and a pretty incredible one at that! It is safe to say that Mr. Romano is the one of the reasons why I was accepted to UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Cornell University, and Georgetown University, where I will be attending in the fall!! THANK YOU SO MUCH MR. TEST PREP!! YOU’RE THE BEST!!!

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Mr. Romano is simply the best. Upon entering Mr. Romano’s test prep, I knew little about the SAT. The knowledge and wisdom that I inherited from Michael is truly priceless. While at Mr. Test Prep’s, Michael helped me zone in and conquer the areas in which I was struggling. Mr. Romano was very encouraging and supportive to me every time I was in his presence. Mr. Romano would carefully evaluate my progress and generously give me tips on any of my consistent confidence shortcomings. Michael’s years of experience and great social skills has enabled him to express his knowledge in ways that would help me better understand any given material. My scores, in all sections of the SAT, had climbed very significantly. Along with my growth in confidence, the appreciation I have for Mr. Romano and all his hard work grew even more. For anyone who has worked with Mr. Romano, it is clear that MICHAEL ROMANO IS THE “GO TO” GUY FOR ANYTHING RELATING TO THE SAT. Mr. Romano goes far beyond that of a SAT prep teacher. Michael has become to me more of a mentor and good friend. Other than being a great teacher, Mr. Romano is also a great person; a likable person. Michael Romano ranks among the highest all around great individuals I have had the honor of knowing. It meant all the more to me that Mr. Romano was always someone I can turn to for valuable insight on things that might be giving me trouble; both in and out of the classroom. I struggled a lot with academics in high school and often worried about my ability to continue education in a college setting, but Mr. Romano made all the difference. After I was taken under Michael’s wing, my academics made a significant change for the better. My grades began to soar hand-in-hand with my SAT scores. Mr. Romano helped me the way nobody else could. I owe a lot to Michael and thank God that He has blessed me in coming to know Mr. Romano. With all that he has done for me, Michael has helped my once far-fetched dream of continuing my studies in Santa Barbara a reality.

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I had gone to over three different standardized testing tutors in the Bay Area since my freshman year. All left me unsatisfied, with mediocre results and my mother constantly reprimanding me for spending so much money on multiple exams and different tutors. On a whim, we tried Mr. Test Prep. Many of my friends had gone to him and raved about how his tutoring style is unique, effective, and definitely worth the money. They all succeeded in their standardized test preps, why shouldn’t I?
I can clearly remember Mr. Test Prep’s response when I said, “I’m no good at math and science.” He said, “Don’t think that way! These questions are easy if you think of them as easy. Let me break ‘em down for you…” Ever since then, the ACT has not intimidated me with the daunting math and science sections. His tricks to make sure I didn’t make any “silly” mistakes even increased my scores to near-perfection in the subjects that I was stronger in – reading, writing, and English! Additionally, the group testing environment was insanely helpful in practicing what to expect during test day. Mr. Test Prep’s unpredictable outbursts of songs and people’s sneezing and coughing inevitably allowed me to block out the irrelevant and focus on the test. I also still do his meditations today before a big event or test! They have assisted me greatly in becoming more centered, and have me diving into any task headfirst with steady hands and tranquility.
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Tufts University 2018
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