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.
We were honored to have award-winning slam poet and author Andre Bradford visit all three divisions at WFS! Through his "On Purposeful Empathy" programming, Andre stresses the importance of empathy, vulnerability, and the power of storytelling. He encouraged students to find strength in their own voices and embrace the impact of their own stories.
8th grade Chinese students recent visited Le Shio restaurant in Wilmington to practice their Chinese speaking skills and to learn how to order food in a restaurant!
Rick Grier Reynolds, who created the Global Peace and Justice course at WFS, returned today with Brian Winward, a returned citizen and long-time AVP facilitator, to discuss the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) with 9th grade students.
Ricky Singh, the first person to summit Mount Everest and complete 50 marathons in 50 states, recently visited the Asian Student Union Club to share how he got into running and the mindset that fueled his journey.
Upper School Power and Performance English classes, International Baccalaureate Higher Level Visual Arts students, Visual Art Majors, and 3D Design students traveled to Washington, D.C., for a research field trip that took them on a cultural odyssey!
The WFS College Office recently hosted a Case Studies program for juniors and their grownups. Prior to the program, students and adults were given three college applications to read.
Upper School French students have been perfecting their language skills in the most delicious ways—French 2 students competed in a Top Chef Crêpes competition, while International Baccalaureate HL French students created a tarte au citron!
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Tuesday night’s International Baccalaureate recital showcased the talents of IB Music HL1 and HL2 students in an evening of vocal performances. Soprano vocalists Ella Morton ’25 and Piper Roskovensky ’26 presented a program of diverse repertoire featuring contemporary, traditional, and musical theatre selections.
International Baccalaureate chemistry, biology, physics, and computer science students visited the University of Delaware for a collaborative science project.
The Upper School Jazz Band recently had the opportunity to work with Blayne Salerni in a workshop on improvisation. Mr. Salerni, the band director at Smyrna Middle School, has led jazz improvisation workshops throughout Delaware for middle and high school students, as well as music educators
Braeden Mannering, the founder of 3B: Brae's Brown Bags, visited our lower school students to share his journey of creating a nonprofit that provides healthy snack bags to those in need. Braeden highlighted the importance of kindness, service, and how even young people can make a big impact in their communities.
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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.