Studying is an essential step in making the grades you strive for, at least it is for those of us who don’t instinctively know all components of the unit circle.

Usually, I find the hardest part of studying to be mustering up the will power to actually begin the daunting task. It's the dreaded initial opening of your geometry binder or conjugating that first Spanish verb. I’ll do anything to postpone flipping over the first flashcard, and so begins the endless cycle of procrastination. We procrastinators have been known to make every excuse in the book.

Won’t I remember it better if I look at it right before the test? It’ll be fresh in my mind.

I’ll start studying after right this episode. (You know you won't.)

I learned it in class on Tuesday. And I was there during the class review, so I’ve practically already been studying for a week.

If I study now, what will I do during study hall tomorrow?

I’ll just grab a quick snack first to motivate me. At the frozen yogurt place. Twenty minutes away. With three of my friends.

Why do I have to know this? I’m never going to use this later in life. (True, you probably won’t. But it will still be on the test.)

Why would I pick up my physics textbook now when I can just put it off until tomorrow night, right before the test? I’d rather enjoy myself now.

Why can’t you do both?

No, I’m not saying I know the magical secret to making the reality of studying fast, fun, and effective. But I do know you’re more likely to start an unappealing task if you have something exciting to look forward to. How many of us have trudged for days cleaning our room, putting away one sock at a time and getting distracted at every mildly interesting piece of clutter we find? But, when our parents say we can go out or have a friend over as soon as our room is clean, it’s amazing how quickly we can move.

The same concept is true with studying. Although, this metaphor unfortunately doesn’t work if we just sweep all our clothes under the bed and dust under the rug; we still must be attentive and thorough in our studying so it's not precious time wasted. During efficient studying, the goal is to thoroughly cover the same amount of material reviewed during long, inefficient study sessions in a fraction of the time.

The key to this?

Focusing.

The key to focusing?

Study breaks.

This idea may seem counter-intuitive, as no studying actually occurs during breaks, but study breaks are essential parts of studying that often get overlooked. Cramming for three or more hours the night before an exam or test is very common, but it's not only unhealthy. It's also less effective.

If you can manage several short, but incredibly focused study sessions broken up by a few much-needed study breaks, you will be on the golden road to success.

Time spent getting sidetracked online or texting friends is time you could actually be out with your friends, your mind free of lingering worries of unpreparedness for your upcoming assessments.

Studying is most effective when it is split up into manageable sessions over the course of a few days leading up to the assessment; many students find sticking to consistent study schedules to be extremely helpful. To have successful study breaks, and therefore successful study sessions, plan out what you’ll be doing and how long your breaks will be before you even think about cracking open your history book.

The activity you choose for your break depends on the level of self-control and self-discipline you possess. You may be able to diligently study for an hour and a half, take a ten-minute break, and then immediately refocus, picking right back up where you left off. You may need half-hour sessions with five-minute breaks. Or twenty-minute sessions.

Be honest with yourself, and know your limitations.

If you know your short walk with your dog will turn into an hour long Frisbee match and cuddle-fest, save that for when you’re done with studying for the night. While taking a walk is a good study break for some, make sure your breaks are personalized to your own reasonable parameters.

If you know you won’t hold be able to yourself accountable after breaks, then let your break be calling a friend to chat and catch up. At the beginning of the call, tell her that you can only talk for ten minutes, and then you have to get back to studying. (Just make sure to call an accountable friend.)

You two will chat for a while, allowing you to relax and enjoy yourself. After about ten minutes, your responsible friend will then remind you to keep studying and give you some much-needed words of encouragement. Some stress will be alleviated, and your mind will be rejuvenated, ready for round two.

Another way to hold yourself accountable is to set a timer for study sessions and breaks. This way, you won’t have to waste time you should be using to solve for x by constantly checking the clock. And, you'll be able to freely enjoy your study breaks without the risk of running over into your strictly designated study time.

You’ll remain more focused during study sessions, and time will seem to pass more quickly if you have a break in the foreseeable future. If analyzing poetry for hours on end drives you to the brink of insanity, then limit your English sessions to fifteen minutes, making your breaks be solving a math problem you don’t really mind. You’ll check two things off your list, and you won’t hold a personal grudge against E.E. Cummings for the rest of your high school or college days.

Study breaks are obviously critical pieces to studying and success. They can be anything from cooking a meal to taking a short walk to practicing a musical instrument—anything productive and relaxing.

With countless possibilities, hopefully, you’ll start studying for that next midterm a lot sooner.

To read about more efficient study break ideas and what to avoid, visit http://www.fastweb.com/student-life/articles/energizing-study-break-ideas-what-to-avoid.