Contrary to the multi-tasking lifestyle that we lead, studying demands focusing on one thing at a time. Constant devotion of time and attention to a singularly tracked study material, often gets difficult due to the existence of distracting electronics and the restlessness induced due to overuse of social media. Social media constantly distracts us by being so current and finicky. Though, the biggest boon of social media is the sheer accessibility of opportunities to succeed, to meet new people, and to stay updated, it is of utmost importance that we first learn to prioritize our time.

So, in order to help you stay focused and get the most out of your devoted study time, here are 5 fool-proof hacks:

1. Meditate your way to A+B=C

Not only is meditation a way to guarantee superhuman concentration levels, but it also calms the nervous system. It stimulates the brain to achieve better cognitive and intellectual performance. Studies have shown that meditation is responsible for changes in brain functions, increasing students’ practical intelligence and creative thinking. It is the sure shot way to sharpening your memory as well as keeping away restlessness and insomnia, which are very common symptoms of stress.

2. Eat to nourish your brain

We have been told that since walnuts look like miniature brains, they are good for the brains. Well, turns out, they really are excellent for maintaining optimum brain health. Foods containing essential fatty acids like Omega-3, copper, polyphenols are excellent for increased brain power. Wondering which foods contain these wonder components, look no further, here’s a list:

• Vegan Options – Nuts (walnuts, almonds), turmeric, blueberries, broccoli, avocado, spinach, pumpkin seeds, olive oil, coconut oil.
• Non-vegan Options – Salmon, eggs, dark chocolate.

3. Study with a partner

Studies show that humans function better in a group, or with a partner, in general. Due to our social nature, we tend to look for safety and a sense of team to be performing at our optimum level. More than that, studying with a partner ensures that we complete what we aimed to do. It encourages us to focus better, and in case we are stuck at a particular problem, our study partner can always help out. It is in fact, one of the most fruitful ways to ensure successful study sessions.

4. Exercise for a sharper memory

Exercise guarantees a healthy body, and an even healthier brain. It stimulates the production of endorphins (a chemical naturally released in the brain to reduce pain, that in large amounts can make you feel relaxed or full of energy). Endorphins lower cortisol levels (a hormone produced as response to stress), and increases energy levels. Studying gets easier as you feel motivated, confident, and happier.

5. Organization is key

Organize your study space, your time table, your exam day, and your life in general. The more ordered your timeline is, the easier it is to escape chaos and focus. The time tables that you set, should be a doable allocation of study material to the time in question. A clutter-free desk results in a clutter-free mind. You can easily find your required materials, and start studying without having to waste time searching for everything in a mess.

6. Originality is inspirational

Study in the way you find comfortable. You shouldn’t be bothered if it takes you a little while longer than your friend to study a particular topic. Set your own time table, and device your own study techniques like writing down pointers, making flashcards, or just plain highlighting the text. It is always best to trust your own gut when it comes to planning for your future.

Now, that you have a few pointers as guidelines, don’t just stick to them. Be innovative, and find ways to add your own twist to these hacks. It is after all your study sessions. And the most important of all is to always believe in yourself and the dream you want to achieve. All the best!

Eating Your Way to The Top: 4 Recipes that can cook up a storm

Studying for a test is an uphill task in itself and nobody knows those random hunger paws sabotaging the entire plan for extensive studying better than us. To help you grab something more than the decaf coffee you slowly sip upon to keep your eyes open and at least eat something more than the baseless midnight bowl of bland instant noodles, Studypal.co has brought to you 4 great delicious recipes that will keep you full between those gruesome study hours with almost zero efforts from your end.

The Legendary Chickpea Roast

Basically, this comes as a healthy alternative to the baseless chips snacking we all do once in a while, and of course, these are healthier. It is the perfect snack to fill your tummy as you turn through the books.

Basically, this comes as a healthy alternative to the baseless chips snacking we all do once in a while, and of course, these are healthier. It is the perfect snack to fill your tummy as you turn through the books.

Here is a step by step guide on how to go about it:

Ingredients- 1 cup chickpeas, 1 lemon, Olive oil for seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, more or less to taste, 1/2 Tablespoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 cup finely chopped onion

Process-

1. First, we need to preheat the oven to 350F and line a baking tray with foil
2. Then we need to rinse the chickpeas in a utensil and let them dry well
3. In a bowl, we now combine chickpeas, salt spices and season it with olive oil and then toss the chickpeas around to coat them properly.
   4. Now we need to spread the chickpeas onto baking sheet in a layer and bake it for about forty minutes until the peas are nicely crispy and cooked.
4. The Roasted chickpeas can now be served with chopped onions and a squeeze of lemon for the taste. It’s always better than potato chips you know!

The Oatmeal with the Fruity Twist

There is nothing like a big warm bowl of food when you are hungry and given that you need to stay up and fight through the endless pages of your test prep material, oats is definitely a great option. Here’s a recipe to bring a twist to the traditional boring oat and milk staple. There is no reason to be boring, you know.

There is nothing like a big warm bowl of food when you are hungry and given that you need to stay up and fight through the endless pages of your test prep material, oats is definitely a great option. Here’s a recipe to bring a twist to the traditional boring oat and milk staple. There is no reason to be boring, you know.

Ingredients -2 cups fat-free milk, 1 cup quick-cooking oats, 1 large ripe banana (sliced), 6                          Strawberries (Sliced), Raspberry syrup, Honey,1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon powder, Diced fresh fruits of your choice (avoid citrus), Sugar (as needed)

Process-

1. In a small saucepan, we need to bring the milk to a boil; and slowly, stir in the oats and let it cook over medium heat until thickened, stirring occasionally.
2. Now, we need to stir in the banana and strawberry and follow it by the sugar, cinnamon powder and honey.
3. To serve, we need to garnish it with the remaining fresh fruits and the raspberry syrup as required.                                                                                                                        Homemade Cheese Popcorn
   

   Okay, so you want to gorge on something that’s delicious, but without the guilt of eating greasy junk food. It is surprising how easy it is to make your favorite Cheese Popcorn in just a few easy steps.

Okay, so you want to gorge on something that’s delicious, but without the guilt of eating greasy junk food. It is surprising how easy it is to make your favorite Cheese Popcorn in just a few easy steps.

 Ingredients: 1 cup Popcorn Kernels, 2 Tablespoon Butter, Salt to taste, 3 Tablespoon Cheddar Cheese Powder, 1/2 teaspoon Pepper

Process-

1. For the first step, we need to seal a cup of Popcorn in a brown paper bag and Microwave till kernels stop popping at the rate of at least one pop per second.
2. Then we need to slowly pour molten butter into the bag and then shake it REALLY well till it mixes up
3. In a bowl, we need to mix the Cheddar cheese powder, Black pepper Powder and salt and mix it with the popcorn in the bag, shaking it well.                                                                                                                                        The Kale Chips
   

   These crispy sinful kale “chips” are practically fat free — the perfect answer for guilt-free snacking options. If you are one of those who like to keep munching something or the other as you rack your brains, this is absolutely going to be your favorite.

These crispy sinful kale “chips” are practically fat free — the perfect answer for guilt-free snacking options. If you are one of those who like to keep munching something or the other as you rack your brains, this is absolutely going to be your favorite.

Ingredients- 1 bunch kale, nonstick cooking spray, ½ tsp salt

Recipe-

1. For the first step, we need to preheat the microwave oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Now for the Kale, we need to tear leaves into large pieces and remove and discard thick stems to speed up the cooking process.
3. In a microwave tray, the leaves should be spread in a single layer, lined by a foil.
4. After spraying the leaves with nonstick cooking spray followed by a sprinkle of salt to taste, we need to bake it for twelve to fifteen minutes, till the chips are crisp.

So, got your taste buds running already? Well, we don’t blame you! So cook up a storm for yourself with these easy recipes the next time you feel ravenous in between the study hours. We at Studypal.co aim at making your test prep experience a better one with pioneering tips and advice from the experts in the industry.

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]]> https://www.studypal.co/blog/eating-your-way-to-the-top-4-recipes-that-can-cook-up-a-storm/feed/ 0 https://www.studypal.co/blog/amazing-superfood-hacks-for-study-group-sessions/ https://www.studypal.co/blog/amazing-superfood-hacks-for-study-group-sessions/#comments Sat, 05 Oct 2013 13:48:13 +0000 http://studypal.co/blog/?p=74 Moina Oberoi, celebrated food photographer, stylist, writer and recipe developer gives us her tips on how to keep you going during your study sessions.

I am often hungrier while writing an article about food rather than while I’m cooking it. Thinking can make us pretty hungry. According to medical researchers, our brain cells need double the energy as the other cells in our body, causing our body to crave food to restore this energy during intellectual activities like test prep.

So if you are preparing for standardized tests and often get the munchies, it is merely your brain insisting on a glucose boost. Sorry to be a damper on a guilt free study binge by stating the obvious, but over-snacking and eating the wrong things during your hunger pangs will certainly be counterproductive. It can cause your brain to get too much glucose and slow down. Not so smart after all!

However, there is nothing better than a healthy snack to keep your mental juices flowing.  So why don’t we make this snack time doubly productive by eating not just healthy but brainy foods too.

There are four main nutritional components that help our brains function to their full potential and even reinforce new brain cells. Here is a list of healthy powder foods that will provide the right nourishment for those long study days.

1. Glucose (carbohydrate) – The energy giver
   
   • Banana smoothies
   • Bean and corn salads
   • Popcorn
   • Lentil soups
   • Whole grain crackers with hummus

    

2. Fatty acids (omega 3-6) – The brain lubricant
   • Smoked salmon or grilled sardine fingers snacks
   • Avocado and chia smoothie
   • Walnuts
   • Cashew nuts
   • Flax seed rich energy bars
   • Tahini (sesame paste) dip

3. Antioxidants – The restorer
   
   • All kinds of berries
   • Spinach soups
   • Steamed garlic broccoli
   • DIY Energy drink: Coconut water with chia seeds
   • A variety of teas

    

4. Amino acids (protein) – The protector
   
   • Grilled fish, meat, liver and tofu snacks
   • Egg white salads
   • Yogurt snacks with honey and flax powder

And here are two simple and quick recipes for you and your study buddy.

AVOCADO SMOOTHIE

Serves – 2 glasses
Prep time – 20 minutes

Ingredients:

1 avocado
3 tablespoons chopped dates
5 tablespoons 0% fat greek yogurt
½ cup Soymilk
¾ cup water
2 tablespoons chia seeds

Methods:

Mix the soymilk, water and chia seeds in a glass and leave aside letting the chia seeds absorb the water and fluff up.

Put the avocado, dates and greek yogurt in a blender and blend till they form a smooth paste.

Put the avocado paste in a mixing bowl with the soymilk mix and gently combine the ingredients together with a spatula.

Chill in the refrigerator and drink the cold avocado smoothie during your study break to give your brain a jumpstart!

BEAN SALAD

Serves – 3
Prep time – 20 minutes

Ingredients:

½ cup red beans
½ cup sweet corn
½ cup chopped coriander leaves
¼ cup spring onions
¼ cup chopped walnuts

Dressing:

½ a lime, juiced
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon paprika powder
1 teaspoon honey

Method:

Mix together all the ingredients for the dressing and leave aside.
Put the remaining ingredients in a large mixing bowl and toss till the produce have come together nicely.

Mix in the dressing and serve chilled.

Remember to graze through your study days, eat nutritious snacks and keep it light.

Enjoy!