Stay Smooth During the Study Break

Ahh, the study break! I was expert at taking personal time now to be productive on the task at hand later.

You need to do something that makes you loose track of time: on your walk, whip out your camera (I know you’ve got one) and take photos of the alphabet as you see the letters around you; get some inspiration and read a little of Brenda Ueland’s If You Want to Write: A Book about Art, Independence and Spirit; sit quietly and imagine your success on the exam; enjoy the smell of lilacs – they’re out there; do something nice for someone else; pamper yourself – but make it quick; and above all else, eat, sleep, and breathe.

For me, the key was always finding ways to stay in a focused groove without getting frantic.  It was a time when I spent a lot of time alone and avoided my friends who liked to discuss doom and gloom more than they liked to study. Here’s a playlist that keeps me in a groove without getting me off focus or too hyped – use it if you’d like (caution: heavy Al Green influence ahead):

• Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
• You Are the Sunshine of My Life – Stevie Wonder
• I Say a Little Prayer – Aretha Franklin
• Little Red Corvette – Prince
• Doo Wop (That Thing) – Lauryn Hill
• Green Onions – Booker T. & The MG’s
• No Diggity – Blackstreet
• The Love You Save – Jackson 5
• Distant Lover – Marvin Gaye
• Dance to the Music – Sly and the Family Stone
• Strawberry Letter 23 – The Brothers Johnson
• Tired of Being Alone – Al Green
• Everybody Knows – John Legend
• Mary Jane (DJ Green Lantern Remix) – Rick James
• For Once in My Life – Stevie Wonder
• Love Rollercoaster – Ohio Players
• Flash Light – Parliament
• Spaceship – Kanye West Feat. GLC & Consequence
• Move On Up – Curtis Mayfield
• Feeling Good – Nina Simone

Feel good. Knock out the exams.

And, then, peace out.