When you start to think about what you might need for studying, you probably picture highlighters, flash cards littering your desk, thousands of pages of notes in your folders, and pens overflowing from your pencil case. That’s all great, but you’re missing one of the most important things: a water bottle.
It might seem simple but staying hydrated when studying is one of your most important tools for acing your exams. Drinking water has a powerful effect on your brain; you may be surprised at some of the benefits it has for learning.
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Boosts concentration – revision and prolonged study sessions require focus, especially in the run up to exams. Hydration is essential to improving your concentration, allowing you to study more effectively, for longer.
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Enhances memory – without continuously hydrating, you are less likely to retain the information you are studying. That’s why drinking water is so vital to exam success.
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Improves mood – although you may be less than pleased to be revising, staying hydrated reduces your likelihood of becoming irritated or frustrated. Keeping a clear head will improve your study sessions drastically.
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Prevents headaches – dehydration and headaches go hand in hand. Drinking water more consistently ensures you stay at the top of your game without needing to take breaks so often.
Here are some top tips for how you can prioritise your hydration:
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Start Early
When it comes to revision, it’s always best to start early. That includes hydration! Drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning has been proven to not only clear your mind to face the day, but it also boosts your mood to shake off those morning cobwebs. Setting the right tone for the day ahead is one of the best ways to tackle your studies.
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Add Flavour
For some of us, drinking plain water isn’t too enjoyable. Although it seems all too easy to swap out water for fizzy drinks or coffee, you won’t be getting the same benefits. So instead, how about you try adding some flavours to your water?
Orange or blackcurrant squash is usually a good place to start (with no added sugars of course!). But if you really want to improve your hydration, infusing your water with lemon, cucumber, or even berries is a great way to keep drinking water interesting. Cucumber especially has been proven to decrease the chance of dehydration. And the best part? You avoid the dreaded sugar crash!
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Set Reminders to Hydrate
When you’re in the midst of studying, it’s understandable that drinking water may fall out of your head completely. But remember, revision is much more effective with regular brain breaks built in. Your breaks should also include hydration to properly give your brain some time to soak in everything you’ve just studied. Setting up timers and reminders is a great way to ensure you get all the water you need. You may even want to include hydration targets, such as drinking a whole bottle of water before lunch.
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Keep Your Bottle Visible
Ensuring that your bottle or glass of water is within reach is another good reminder to hydrate. You’re much more likely to sip on some water whilst running through your flash cards simply because it’s there. Over time, this will become a healthy habit which keeps your mind sharp and focused throughout your studying.
By having your water bottle in sight, it also means you’re less likely to put off hydrating. There’s nothing worse than having to interrupt your revision session to go to the kitchen just to get some water. Eliminating this will make it easier to be consistent when studying.
Why We Love Our Oxford Water Bottles
The best way to keep hydrated when studying is to have a water bottle within reach on your desk, and what better choice than our Oxford Water Bottles? Here are some of the reasons they make the perfect study companion:
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Double insulation and internal ceramic coating keep your drinks cold for up to 24 hours, and hot for up to 12 hours.
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Protective silicone base which prevents scratches on your table or desk.
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Leak proof to keep your notebooks, folders, and stationery safe between classes and revision sessions.
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Available in five different colours to match whatever your vibe is: red, black, green, blue, and pastel rainbow stripes. (Psst…did you know you can colour match all your stationery on the Oxford Notebooks website?)
So, hopefully we have persuaded you to focus on your hydration during revision season! Remember: make sure you sip water during your exams too so you can keep your focus and feel positive throughout. Stay hydrated!