Studying Smart This Summer

The sun is beaming your friends are calling. How do you resist? Here are a few tips to smart summer studying:

1. It all goes back to your planning and organizational skills. Did you buy your 15 minute planner yet? Plan a few hours a day to hang out with your book, then reward yourself by seeing your friends or the beach.
2. When you study…study. Turn off your phone and any other distractions. I would also recommend studying inside in a closed place (like without a bay window to temp you to go outside!)
3. Make a study plan for yourself. Set your goals early. If you want to take 4 full-length practice tests, plan it in. Make an 8 week study plan for one book and take a test every other week. You have to train yourself to follow a regimented schedule.
4. See the light at the end of the tunnel. If you ever find yourself wondering why am I doing this when I could be doing that remind yourself of you ultimate goal. Let’s say you are studying for the DAT. It is trying at times and you often want to give up. When it gets to that point, you have to tell yourself I am doing this for a reason. This is what I have worked so hard for. I have always wanted to be a Dentist and I want to help people. This is worth it.
5. Try to focus on the positives and don’t forget to compliment yourself once and a while! If you are extraordinarily successful on a section of practice problems…allow yourself an extra 15 minute break or to sleep in a few minutes in the morning!
6. Make the most out of your studying. Do not make it a job, but make it something you want to do, as opposed to need to do. You have to want it to get it and to appreciate the efforts. Be dedicated but not obsessed.
7. Be reasonable with your goals and never give up too soon! Do your research first and be able to look at your scores and see where you stand against other applicants. It will ease your mind and boost your confidence!
8. Good luck!