Amid the race for a place at university, many students take advantage of the July holidays to increase their study load, seeking to stand out from those who use this period to rest. However, contrary to what it may seem, studying on vacation can compromise your preparation.

“Just as important as having defined study time is relaxation time”, highlights João Pedro Mateos, Chemistry teacher at Curso Positivo. Periods of study breaks are essential for the process of consolidating the content learned by the brain.

Signs that indicate the need for a break

Some signs indicate that the student has reached the limit of their ability to concentrate and needs to take a break. “From the moment you have to read the same sentence three times to understand it, letters starting to shuffle in front of you, your body is asking for rest. At this moment, if the student continues to insist on studying, he will only get tired and will not assimilate anything else, only harming the next day”, warns João Pedro Mateos.

Rest should also be part of the preparation

The professor highlights that the feeling of guilt can be common in those who get used to an intense study routine and have difficulty slowing down. “Vacation exists precisely because we recognize the need to slow down. young people They study 10 to 12 hours a day and when they stop, they feel guilt or the feeling that they are not trying hard enough. During this period, if the student chooses to continue studying, it is worth drastically reducing the workload, carrying out occasional reviews and reserving time for leisure and rest activities”, he advises.

Break from your study routine

Each student develops their own study methodology for the entrance exam, their preferences and a way to better organize their time. Rafaela Camargo de Carvalho, who is preparing for the entrance exam in Medicine, has taken advantage of her vacation to take a break from her intense study routine.

“I’m taking the opportunity to spend time with my family and friends, do the activities I like more calmly, such as walking, training and reading books that are not mandatory readings. I believe that the best activities To clear your mind, stay away from screens. Right at the beginning of the vacation, I spent a lot of time on social media and realized that it wasn’t giving me any rest,” he explains.

She emphasizes, however, that this awareness needed to be developed. “This maturity comes with time. With years of studying, I learned that rest is also a strategy. I believe that the best thing is to try to find a balance between studies and leisure, without letting one get in the way of the other”, he highlights. She ends by remembering that it is also important to be careful not to consume too much unnecessary information and cause the opposite effect of aim on break days.

Maximilien Santos Denes, who is also preparing for the Medicine entrance exam, highlights the importance of social interaction in this process. “Reconnecting with friends is the best way to clear your mind because it reminds you that life isn’t just about the university entrance exam.”

By Bruna Zembuski