Mindful Studying Tips From a Delaware School Counselor
Danielle Litterelle
Meditation and breathing exercises can’t tackle your to do list, but they can help you calm down and center you to start again.
Here are some wellness tips to help you slow down and do your best as you approach mid-terms or finals.
Start with the right mindset by making a plan and organizing your workspace. Create a study calendar and start with the most difficult tasks first.
Step away from your studying. Be sure to give yourself breaks and incentives. It’s best to take a 10 minute break for every hour that you study.
Release stress with the power of music. Music, 60 seconds per beat, can cause the brain to synchronize with the beat and make you more focused. While studying, listen to light music in the background or grab your headphones. Give it a try with music by Mozart or Bach.
Turn off your phone. It is tempting to check your phone, but keep it out of reach.
Healthy routines make a difference in stress levels. In addition to getting a good night’s sleep (8-10 hours), make sure you eat a good breakfast the morning of the exam too.
If you are feeling tense and unable to relax, here are two great breathing exercises to help you calm your body and ease your mind:
Deep belly breathing
Start by breathing in through your nose. Draw the air into your belly rather than your chest.You can put your hands lightly on your stomach so you can be aware of your belly rising and falling. Breathe out through your mouth at least two-to-three times as long as you inhale. Be sure to relax your neck and shoulders. Repeat.
5-5-5 Breathing
Inhale very slowly through your nose for five seconds: 1-2-3-4-5. Exhale very slowly through your nose or mouth for five seconds: 1-2-3-4-5. Wait for five seconds: 1-2-3-4-5. Repeat the process three more times.
If you are interested in more mindfulness and relaxation techniques, download: Headspace, Calm, or Insight Timer.
Thanks to WFS MS/US Counselor Danielle Litterelle for her contributions to this article.
The WFS World Languages Department is currently attending the national ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) conference in Philadelphia.
Students from the WFS middle school Youth in Government club recently traveled to Dover to participate in the State Junior Youth in Government Model Legislature.
Congratulations to our community members who shared their talents at last night's Informal Concert! This concert is designed to showcase the talent of our students, parents, and faculty in an informal, yet serious, chamber concert or recital format.
WFS students L-T Alleyne '26, Sofía Hasse-Mas '25, Charlotte Kass '26, and Kayla Turman '26 recently attended the Baltimore Student Diversity Leadership Conference (BSDLC) at Sandy Spring Friends School.
Anya Agarwal '25 recently wrote an article for The Whittier Miscellany (our student-run newspaper) about the South Asian history curriculum she helped develop that will be implemented next spring in middle school social science classrooms! (Pictured is middle school social science teacher, Tara Agne).
Members of the Wilmington Friends Model UN Club, led by faculty advisor Nick Childers, recently attended the St. Andrews Model UN Conference and participated in various simulations.
Lower school students are again participating in the Traveling Mural Project, which began in 2018, allowing students to connect with other schools, classrooms, and libraries.
The Upper School Quakerism and Thee class recently welcomed three guest speakers to deepen their understanding of prison reform and Quaker contributions to the movement.
Five WFS students recently participated in Share the Stage, a benefit concert for the Autism Research Foundation, where neurodiverse musicians perform and collaborate with professional and student musicians to create truly inclusive, inspiring, and fun performances.
First grade students recently gathered for the annual monarch butterfly migration, a beloved lower school tradition which connects science, Spanish, and art classes.
WFS was pleased to present three Alumni Awards at Homecoming 2024 to Carol Bancroft Morley '68 (Outstanding Service Award), Leslie Davis Guccione ’65 (Distinguished Alumna Award), and Stephanie Bonnes ’04 (Young Alumna of the Year Award). The three were honored for their dedication to their professions and community service. They are the embodiment of what a Friends education stands for.
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Wilmington Friends School admits students of any race, color, gender, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students of these schools. Wilmington Friends School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national and ethnic origin in administration of their educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.