- DTP Success Team
6 Action Items That Can Safeguard Your Study Time And Increase Your DSST Score.
Updated: Jan 2
It's no secret that distractions can wreak havoc on our productivity.
Even minor distractions can profoundly affect our ability to focus and get things done.
Research shows that when we are engrossed in an activity, even minor distractions can profoundly affect us.
According to a University of California-Irvine study, regaining our initial momentum following an interruption may take 20 minutes.
We would like you to implement these six action items to help you stay focused and increase your chances of passing your DSST exam.
Table of Contents
Maintain a healthy lifestyle: consistently eat, sleep, and exercise.
Don’t be deceived by thinking you can multitask while preparing for your DSST exam; it’s a myth.
1) Reduce distractions and combat procrastination.
The best way to stop procrastinating is by breaking down big tasks into small, achievable steps.
You'll find that you're more likely to get started on these little projects because they don't seem too complicated or boring!
These little interruptions can add up and impact your time management.
When studying, please don't check for text messages and emails. This will break your concentration.
Please turn off your phone, stay silent, and move to a quiet area.
This is especially important if you share living space with others; they will also appreciate not being interrupted during their activities!
When you’re struggling to start a task, say “start” and jump right in. It will help break your inertia and get things going!
Aim for starting instead of perfection to complete the task and move on.
2) Plan your study schedule.
It's essential to maintain a routine while studying for an exam.
Avoid having problematic tasks during your best times, or you may get overwhelmed with other work.
It is also wise that we plan what subjects will be easier than those which require more focus.
During your study schedule, take regular breaks!
Get up and move around for a few minutes, or do something completely unrelated to help give your mind a break. Make sure not to get too comfortable; set the alarm if you need to!
Having a plan or system is crucial to ensure you're using your time wisely.
Some students prefer studying in short, frequent bursts, while others like longer study sessions spaced out over time.
3) Give yourself a study break!
You know the old saying: work smarter, not harder.
If you schedule your study time without including some "down" time for yourself, you'll burn out and be unable to retain anything you've learned.
A great way to get through an intense period of studying is to take a 20-minute break for every 50 minutes you spend studying.
This can help prevent burnout while still getting a lot of work done.
Do the most difficult tasks during your study sessions first since your energy typically wanes as time passes.
You'll be far more focused by doing the most complex material towards the beginning of your day.
4) Prepare and organize your study area.
When it comes to concentration, your environment can make all the difference.
Choose a spot with plenty of light, a comfortable chair, and as few distractions as possible.
Please ensure you have everything you need within reach, including course modules, notes, water, and healthy snacks.
This simple tip will help you stay focused and make the most of your time.
Also, could you ask what you don't need? A good rule is that it shouldn't be on your desk if it doesn’t help you study.
Remind yourself why you're studying in the first place!
Before you begin studying, establish a list of study goals related to material that may appear on the exam.
This will keep you motivated.
5) Maintain a healthy lifestyle: consistently eat, sleep, and exercise.
As the weeks leading up to your DSST exam seem never-ending, you should do a few things to stay healthy and study at your best.
You can only study hard if you're hydrated, rested, and fed.
Make sure to have balanced meals with healthy snacks for the energy boost that will help keep your productivity up!
Exercise is also crucial in maintaining a healthy lifestyle while preparing for exams.
It might seem counterintuitive, but working out can improve concentration and focus.
Try getting some fresh air or taking a short walk around town - anything over 20 minutes should do fine.
Add an extra challenge by including activities like yoga which may benefit mental health and physical fitness.
It is essential to have a routine both during and outside of studying.
Eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep, and exercising will help improve your focus and concentration.
Before studying, you should avoid sugary drinks, foods, and caffeine.
These can make you feel jittery and unfocused. Stick to water and healthy snacks like fruits and vegetables to help keep your energy levels high.
Getting a good night's sleep before an exam is also essential.
During sleep, your brain processes and stores new information so you can access it more easily the next day.
Try to get at least 7-9 hours of sleep each night.
This may not be easy to do if you have other commitments, but giving your mind and body a chance to recover is essential.
Avoid clicking on links/opening attachments via email, social media, etc., for at least one hour before bed.
Get a good night's sleep the day before your DSST exam.
6) Finally, don’t be deceived by thinking you can multitask while preparing for your DSST exam; it’s a myth.
What exactly is going on when we switch tasks rapidly?
Our sense of clarity and mental energy is being depleted.
A University of London research found that allowing unimportant distractions to divert one's attention might cost up to 10 IQ points.
You might think you're being productive when trying to do two things at once, but the reality is that you're likely accomplishing less than if you focus on one task at a time.
When studying for your DSST exam, you can ignore the urge to multitask and give your full attention to the task.
This will help you retain information and perform on your best-come test day.
Following these six tips, you can safeguard your study time, increase your odds of passing your DSST exam, and get one step closer to achieving your educational goals.
Good luck and pleasant testing.