{"id":2817,"date":"2011-05-09T06:18:06","date_gmt":"2011-05-09T10:18:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/dos\/?p=2817"},"modified":"2011-05-09T06:22:28","modified_gmt":"2011-05-09T10:22:28","slug":"stay-smooth-during-the-study-break","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/dos\/2011\/05\/09\/stay-smooth-during-the-study-break\/","title":{"rendered":"Stay Smooth During the Study Break"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Screen<\/a><\/p>\n

Ahh, the study break! I was expert at taking personal time now to be productive on the task at hand later.<\/p>\n

You need to do something that makes you loose track of time: on your walk, whip out your camera (I know you\u2019ve 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\u2019s If You Want to Write: A Book about Art, Independence and Spirit<\/span>; sit quietly and imagine your success on the exam; enjoy the smell of lilacs \u2013 they\u2019re out there; do something nice for someone else; pamper yourself \u2013 but make it quick; and above all else, eat, sleep, and breathe.<\/p>\n

For me, the key was always finding ways to stay in a focused groove without getting frantic.\u00a0 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\u2019s a playlist that keeps me in a groove without getting me off focus or too hyped \u2013 use it if you\u2019d like (caution: heavy Al Green influence ahead):<\/p>\n