You Deserve a Break: The Benefits of Study Breaks

By Ari LaColla

Spring 2024 Intern

Everyone’s been there: you have multiple assignments and tests to study for, and you feel like you have no time to waste. You might be tempted to cram, using every last minute to get it all done. But what if taking a break might help to improve your study session?

Multiple studies have found that taking small, purposeful breaks (from 5 to 60 minutes long) can help improve energy, productivity, and focus. “Purposeful” breaks should give your mind a break, so social media doesn’t count. A study from the Journal of Behavioral Addictions found that participants who took a phone break took longer to complete their assigned task.

During your break, you can reset your mind in various ways. A few options are meditating, taking a walk, eating a snack, taking a short (15-20 minute) nap, tidying up your workspace, or listening to music. Meanwhile, examples of unhelpful breaks include taking too long of a nap or eating a big meal. Both of these choices can make you more tired, so be mindful of how you spend your breaks.

Luckily, various routine options exist. Everyone’s brain works differently, so trying different routines can help you to figure out what works best for you. A few different routines are 90:15 (90 minutes of studying with a 15-minute break), 60:15, and 45:10. Different study methods take a different amount of focus, so changing up the timing of study sessions and breaks depending on what you are studying might help .?

A lot of us work on computers for most of the day and taking breaks can help give your eyes a break from the straining light of a computer screen. If you are struggling with a certain task or subject, taking a break might also help you return to your work refreshed and give you a new perspective. During your break, you can reflect on what you’ve done, which can help you retain information.

There are some specific techniques to increase productivity as well. One of these is the Pomodoro technique, developed by Francesco Cirillo. To do the Pomodoro technique, pick a single task to focus on for 25 minutes, setting a timer to remind yourself when this time is over. Then, when your 25-minute session ends, take a 5-minute break, coming back to a new task afterward. When you complete 4 cycles (or “pomodoros”), take a longer 15-30 minute break. This technique is great for breaking up large goals into easier chunks and preventing burnout.

[1] Study breaks & stress-busters. Cornell Health. (n.d.). https://health.cornell.edu/about/news/study-breaks-stress-busters#:~:text=Research%20shows%20that%20taking%20purposeful,%E2%80%9D%20(see%20the%20research).

[2]?Botha, C. (2022, June 3). Pros of taking breaks while studying: Study help |. Skills Academy. https://www.skillsacademy.co.za/pros-of-taking-breaks-while-studying/