The topic of criminology is a difficult subject to study, requiring a lot of concentration and deep thinking.
Criminology is the study of crime and the criminal justice system. Criminologists study crimes and offenders from an interdisciplinary approach with a focus on society, law enforcement, research methods, criminal justice policy making, advocacy for victims and offenders as well as prevention of crime.
Learning to study properly
University can be the best time of your life, but it can be a stressful and hard time too. Students should always talk to their University’s pastoral care team if they feel overwhelmed or stressed.
Studying criminology can be a difficult topic specifically because of the subject matter, For example, the online criminology program at Wilfred Laurier’s University is intense and covers a lot of ground, but the professors and student success advisors are there to help and keep you at your best as you study.
If you do not want to spend another semester feeling tired all the time or forgetting what was on your reading list, then do yourself a favour and follow one (or all!) of these tips to keep your mind in tip-top shape this semester.
Get enough sleep
It is important that students are getting quality sleep and the majority of 8 hours. It is important to take a nap during the day if you do not feel rested in the morning or if you feel tired during the day; it gets rid of drowsiness and improves productivity.
Students should remember to try to avoid alcoholic beverages and caffeine in the evening, as both have a diuretic effect associated with them that causes dehydration.
Hydration
It is important to stay hydrated throughout the semester because of the strain on your body that studying criminology can have. Students should make sure that they are making time to drink a lot of water throughout the day, this will help their body to recover and avoid a possible illness.
Dehydration can have a negative impact on your studies, as it limits study time and makes you feel less alert. It can cause short-term memory loss and fatigue, which can cause a lack of concentration and mistakes. Dehydration also leads to headaches, dizziness and a decrease in muscle mass that can make you feel unsteady.
Do not neglect a healthy diet
It is important for students to make sure that they are eating well and keeping fit during the semester as well. This can be done by taking walks, standing at our campus service kitchen, purchasing healthy meals from the on-campus dining options or even making time during the day to go for a run.
Students should eat away from their computers and study area when possible and also think about the food they eat; some foods can be mind boosting such as avocado (good fats) while other food can be detrimental to your studying, including any candy or soda.
Take up a hobby or sport
A great way to unwind in life is to have a hobby or sport that you enjoy so that even if you are busy with studies, it gives you the chance to get enough exercise and time out every week.
It is also a great way to meet people with shared interests, which is something that many students find difficult at school because of school, work, and other commitments.
Read lots
Having a diversity of reading will help students to think critically about the topics they are learning about in criminology.
It is important to keep up with your readings outside of class as much as possible because it will help you really understand the content and gain a deeper knowledge of the topic.
Students should also make time for reading for pleasure in between studying and also on breaks, as this can help to refresh you when you feel tired.
Reading during the day is not only good for your creative side but it can actually enhance concentration in classes as well.
Study with music on
Find a playlist that is motivating and that you enjoy. It should be hard-hitting, with beats that will get you moving and keep you interested in what you are doing.
If the music is good, then it will make studying something to look forward to instead of something to dread. It will also distract you from tiredness and feeling disengaged.
If you are still trying to find the right kind of music for your studying, then try putting a few playlists on shuffle and seeing which one works best for you.
Get involved in the community
Get involved by getting a job or volunteering in the community. It gives you a chance to see how things work from the other side, which will give you an education all on its own.
You will also be able to feel like you are making a difference in the community, which can be an incredibly fulfilling feeling.
Tip: Try finding a job or volunteering position that is related to your studies. This will help you remember the topics that you have been reading about, and give you a chance to ask questions about any knowledge gaps you might have. You will also get valuable insight into the real-world application of what you have been learning.
Spend time away from your studies
If you have the time and money, then it is a great idea to go on vacation, because being in a city or travelling will give you a chance to relax and unwind.
It is also a good way to make friends with people that live at different times or in different places, which helps you relate more to people.
Students should think about what they are going to do before leaving school, so that they can take some time off work or finish their studies before getting ready for their semester-end break.
Set up your study area for success
Students should set up a study area that feels “thematic” and has a purpose.
This can be done by pulling together family photos with themes like “nostalgia”, magazines on the same theme, or having books with similar topics. This will help you stay focused and give you a sense of purpose when you study.
It is also a good idea to get a desk with a fan on it or some sort of air circulation going while you are studying. This will keep you cool while you concentrate, which will help to prevent drowsiness.
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