The Campus

Issue date: 5/22/06 Section: Feature

With year-end exams, college students across the country are starting to gear up for finals and the pressure is mounting. To help students deal with this stressful time, research scientists, the study experts at The Princeton Review, and the gum experts at Wrigley have a few simple tips to help ease the tension and improve study habits. Students may find it surprising that topping the list of tips is the act of chewing gum. You're asking yourself, how can chewing gum help you with your studies? Well, there is compelling evidence to suggest that this simple act can help relieve stress and tension, as well as increase focus and concentration. Multiple researchers have found that chewing gum stimulates certain areas of the brain as measured by EEG (electroencephalogram), which may have a relationship to reducing tension. In addition, one study conducted in 2002 showed that chewing gum appeared to improve one's ability to retain and retrieve information. Andrew Scholey, PhD, professor in Psychology at the University of Northumbria, UK , who has studied the effect of chewing gum on memory, specifies that, "Chewing gum selectively improves memory in healthy volunteers." "Today, many students feel overwhelming pressure to study intensely and achieve high test scores," said Suzanne Podhurst, senior editor of The Princeton Review. "… while experiencing a little stress can keep students on their toes, choosing poor stress-management techniques can ultimately work against academic goals. Uncovering ways to prepare and control stress effectively can have a positive impact on students' study habits and test-taking success." The increase in focus and concentration that has repeatedly been shown in private and public studies is especially significant for studying and test taking this time of year. "Chewing gum while performing memory tests can increase memory substantially," said Scholey. "How students manage exam-time stress can have a huge impact on their ability to perform under pressure," said Robin Raskin, director of communications at the Princeton Review. "Today's students feel an intense pressure to achieve good grades; choosing poor stress-management techniques can work against their scholastic goals." For sugarless gum chewers, the artificial sweetener Aspartame contains an amino acid shown to boost mood and cognitive functions. But gum chewing must be prefaced with a note of caution: everything in moderation. Most consumers don't know that too much Phenylalanine, the amino acid in question, is a neurotoxin and can excite the neurons in the brain to the point of cellular death. Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), emotional and behavioral disorders, can be triggered by too much Phenylalanine in the daily diet. Phenylalanine constitutes 50% of aspartame; due to the degree of diet products that humans consume, Phenylalanine levels are reaching a dangerous peak. According to the FDA, you should ingest no more than around 100 mg of Phenylalanine a day (the equivalent of about three packs of sugarless gum). In addition to gum chewing, the survey revealed that college students are dealing with exam time pressure by making choices that can negatively affect their scholastic performance, as well as their overall health. These include increased snacking during study time, the habit that ranked highest among students. A majority of students also admit to drinking caffeinated drinks to help increase focus and concentration while studying. Also, more than a third of students report that they do most of their studying between 9 p.m. and midnight. The study experts at The Princeton Review and Wrigley suggest students follow these tips while preparing for final exams: Say "no" to cramming: Most exams test students on knowledge accumulated over the past year or semester; and trying to cram information the night before can contribute to even more stress. Begin preparation in advance and take the night before the test off to relax. Find the right time to study: Students should experiment with different times of day to find their optimal study time, when they are alert and ready to concentrate-and then they should stick to studying at that time. Study during the time(s) of day you work most efficiently. Create a calming and productive atmosphere: An effective study area should have good lighting and ventilation, a comfortable chair, and a space large enough to spread out materials. Listening to one's favorite music also helps, or study where it's quiet. In the clear: Take a brisk walk the morning of the test and try deep breathing exercises pre-test and during the test itself to clear the head. Chew gum: The gum experts at Wrigley recommend chewing gum to help relieve stress and tension and to help increase focus and concentration during studying and test taking. An added bonus, it also is a low-calorie substitute for "mindless munching" when studying or stressed. Brain Fuel: Since exams are mental marathons, bring a few healthy snacks (i.e., fruit or a granola bar) to ensure the brain and body are performing at optimal levels throughout the test. So chew away while you're studying for exams this year. Of course, chewing gum alone isn't enough to get you the top marks in class. Get plenty of rest the night before tests, eat well before, and arrive early. Re-read questions before answering them and use the process of elimination when choosing answers on a test. To students everywhere, we wish you luck. Study hard, do well and have fun!

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools