Five ways to be smarter

The end of term is nigh, but don’t just spend Easter quaffing chocolate. Try some of these brain-enhancing techniques, which will set you up for the final term.

The Easter holidays are the calm before the storm that is your final term, during which many of you poor lambs will have to sit exams, submit coursework or, worse still, hand in the dreaded dissertation. But don’t spend Easter burying your head in the chocolate; by practicing the techniques below, you can make yourself smarter and better equip yourself to deal with whatever comes your way in the summer term.

Exercise your mind

Like the rest of your body, the grey matter upstairs needs constant exercise to keep it fit. It also needs different types of exercise; just working on written assignments all the time is like going to the gym and only using the bench press. Easy brain-strengthening techniques include things like Sudoku, crosswords and puzzles, which can be found in most newspapers. More complicated work-outs include playing an instrument and painting.

Use your other hand

We don’t know what you grubby lot thought we meant, but when it comes to regular activities such as styling your hair, brushing your teeth and eating your dinner, try using your non-dominant hand. According to boffins around the world, doing this can improve communication between the left and right hand side of the brain. It’s also the simplest way of exercising your grey matter without actually going out of your way.

Sleep more

It might sound like an obvious way to improve your performance, but if you really want to be smarter then you will need to give your brain a rest. The scientific community largely agree that six to eight hours sleep is best – most agree that anything more than eight could actually do you more harm than could. Meanwhile, other studies have shown that a siesta after lunch can improve your performance in the afternoon – but it’s a fine line, dozing for more than 20 minutes during the day could make you feel groggy.

Go on a run

Regular physical exercise doesn’t just stop a spare tyre from forming around your waist – it also prevents your mind from becoming flabby. By going on a run, a swim or even by playing football or netball, your body releases endorphins that make you happier, more positive and more confident, which are all ingredients you need going into your final term. Regular exercise will also enable you to eat more chocolate this Easter, a substance that is known to release endorphins.

Be unpredictable

Structure is important, particularly when you are studying, but don’t let your brain get stuck in a rut of familiarity. Keep your mind guessing by mixing up your routine occasionally; you don’t have to do anything dramatic, just a different route to university, trying new exercises at the gym or drinking in a new pub is enough to keep things fresh. And don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone every now and then either; chatting to that hot girl or guy you’ve been eyeballing for the last couple of terms will train you to think on your feet and may even lead to a date.