EMILY REID/Arizona Daily Wildcat Art history senior Mariek Fortier, front left, and psychology senior Kasey Veenstra, back left, along with other students, prepare for finals in the library yesterday afternoon. Experts advise students to get lots of exercise and plenty of sleep while preparing for exams, and suggest they avoid using caffeine pills for prolonged periods of studying.

High protein food, naps and fewer alcoholic drinks help with studying

With finals beginning Friday, UA administrators and nutritionists recommend that students study on a Stairmaster, eat foods high in protein and drink plenty of water to cope with hours of studying and the stress of exams.

Walking is key when studying for long periods, said Lyn Reyes, prevention specialist at the Campus Health Center. Students feel fresher with short breaks, she said.

Reading note cards while walking has also been known to help the memory, said Gale Begeman, UA nutritionist counselor.

Food can have a big impact on the productivity of studying. For example, foods high in protein are good for the mental process, while foods high in fat and sugar tend to add to stress levels, Begeman said.

Foods such as whole-wheat crackers and cheese, Cheerios with milk, or lunchmeat on crackers are perfect snacks for students studying for exams. Fruits, nuts and beans are also good to eat, Begeman said.

EMILY REID/Arizona Daily Wildcat Katie Fowler, a first year graduate student in Latin-American studies, studies in the Main library yesterday afternoon. Students, experts say, should study for finals well in advance, rather than trying to cram everything in on the last day.

Eating an abundance of foods without protein, such as bagels, breads and potatoes, tends to relax people too much, she said. The same effect is seen from overeating.

ãCaffeine is often necessary for students to stay awake,ä Begeman said. ãBut they should try to alternate between cola or coffee and water.ä

Caffeine pills can extend a studentâs ability to stay awake, but the time isnât usually as productive as if they had studied beforehand, Reyes said.

ãCaffeine pills are a passive disaster,ä Begeman said. ãYou get to the point where you are wide awake and canât focus anymore.ä

Most students need around seven hours of sleep a night, Reyes said. But if people feel the need to stay up all night without sleeping, they should try to take small naps, she said.

The way students study also has a large impact on how well they do on finals.

ãItâs important to pace yourself in preparing for finals,ä said Diane Perreira, director of the Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques Center. ãTry to spread out the things you study, and donât just concentrate on one topic.ä

Students should realize what type of learner they are and study accordingly, Perreira said.

Visual learners should use note cards and map out information on paper. Students who are auditory learners should read their notes aloud, tape record their voices and play back notes to retain the most information. Other students learn with movement and will remember more information if they study while moving, Perreira said.

For the most part, last-minute cramming doesnât work, Perreira said. Studying after each class and reading the class material is the best way to retain information.

ãNothing takes the place of having read all the material,ä Perreira said. ãBut for students who havenât kept up with the class, they should use all other resources.ä

Studying in groups is often a helpful way to maximize study time and get a better understanding of the material.

There are many options available to students who seek help studying for finals. The University Learning Center will be open through next week and can direct students to the best option of where to get help.

ãJust remember to keep at it,ä Begeman said. ãIf students do any one of these things, they will be farther ahead.ä