There are various other options like 60:15 or 45:10, which depend solely on what kind of work you’re doing and how much intellectual labour it requires. This scenario is possible only if you are bent on having no distractions around you, ideally in a study hall, library, or other solitary space. By that, I mean study for 90 minutes and rest 15 to 20 before coming back to work. Some believe that 90:15 is the most optimistic take. Still, when it comes to study breaks, there are differing opinions: Of course, this is because the world is so vast and complex that we need to categorise everything to make it make sense (spoiler alert: it probably doesn’t). We always try to calculate and measure things, and study breaks have become just as much of a numbers game as anything else. You know how you get those moments of clarity about things, popping like little lightbulbs above your head? Have you noticed they tend to light up when you least expect it? Taking breaks from your subjects allows the brain to connect and consolidate the knowledge base and provide you with that ‘a-ha!’ moment.
If you’re studying in a library or at your university, taking a break with peers gives you a chance to catch up and supports your social needs. Taking an active break, such as walking or a short workout, reconfigures your brain, improving memory and stimulating a better response to new information.
Taking regular breaks allows you to reset and ground yourself and return to work more relaxed. While it may seem that the world is about to swallow you up if you don’t study for hours on end, the fact is, putting so much pressure on yourself is even more harmful. Getting some movement, fresh air, and a change of scenery is refreshing and helps you be more productive when you get back to your work. Study breaks are a chance to get away from your desk and do something else. Study breaks can range in their length, productivity, focus, and organisation, but they all share the same benefits: To get the most out of your study session, you should work hard during your assigned learning time and play hard during breaks. By this, I mean actually being focused and immersed in your work, actively learning and revising (not scrolling on your phone every ten minutes, grabbing a coffee or snacks, or suddenly getting the urge to clean your flat). Studies show that people generally cannot do more than 90 minutes of sustained intellectual work like studying (there are, of course, exceptions, and if you’re one of them, more power to you). A productive study session is all about keeping yourself going, and lemme tell you, sheer willpower will only get you so far.
But somehow, study breaks tend to be overlooked. Studying, revisions, homework, tests, and exams – we talk about these aspects of student life all the time. The Importance of Taking Breaks While Studying