Program Possibilities:
BRAIN BOOSTER
SMOOTHIES with final exam
survival tips brochure
By Spencer Eiseman
Resident Assistant
Morningside College, Sioux City, Iowa
Blueberry Brain Booster Smoothie Recipe
• 1 Banana
• ¾ Cup of Blueberries
• 3 Strawberries
• 2 Cups of Spinach
• 2 Cups of Liquid Base (we used OJ, Coconut Milk, or
Almond Milk)
• 1 tbsp. Chia Seeds
Really any recipe could work! Just depends on what you’re
looking for.
Supplies Needed
• Ingredients for smoothies (We spent about $70 and
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served around 55 residents)
Blender
Small Single Serve Cups
Bendy Straws (They’re fun, DUHH)
Finals Tips/Stress Reducer Handout
Other information
• Blueberries contain flavonoids that aid in the flow of
oxygen to the brain, thus keeping your mind “fresh”
• Having smoothies with all of these healthy ingredients got
residents thinking about eating healthy and fueling their
bodies appropriately.
• We decided to use multiple different base liquids for our
smoothies for variety, and in case anyone had an allergy
to a specific one.
I made the flyer that follows to hand out
with our smoothies. It can be printed as a
2 sided document.
It’s the little things like this that help take
off stress during finals week!
Final Exam Survival Hints
Be prepared. The most important factor in exam success is
preparation. Nothing works as well as making sure you've
studied enough.
Study your weakest subjects first. Why? You'll be fresher and therefore
better able to deal with difficult areas, and you'll have more time
to deal with any problems that arise.
Brain Booster
Smoothies
Ask for help. If you're having trouble with a particular subject, don't be
afraid to ask for help. Your teacher and fellow students will be
glad to give you a hand.
Review exams and quizzes that you took during the semester.
Attend end of the semester classes. Points of misunderstanding can
be cleared up, exam format explained, and potential exam
questions given.
Eat well and get a good night's sleep. Take care of yourself during
exam week - you're going through a lot of stress. Make sure you
hold up well.
Exam Tips
Your first instinct is usually correct; don't change your answers unless
you are sure you made a mistake.
There is nothing more frustrating than knowing the material but losing
marks because you did not follow the directions.
Use your strongest points first to make an immediate impact. You want
to convince your professor right off the bat that your answer is
worth a high mark.
With tips to get you
“smoothly” through
finals week!
Tips To Get You Through Finals
Study in Chunks: Say NO to cramming: Study in intervals! Studying
in 20 – 50 minute increments and giving yourself 5 – 10 minutes in
between is more beneficial than cramming. Distributing learning over
time typically benefits long-term retention more than a short period.
Alternate Study Spots: Switch things up and go to different study
spots. Simply alternating the room where a person studies improves
retention and can help stimulate the brain!
Eating Smart = Studying Smart: Eat superfoods/antioxidants.
Everybody knows you should eat breakfast the day of a big test.
Research suggests that a complex carb, high-fiber, slow digesting
foods like oatmeal is best. But what you eat a week in advance
matters too. When you study, your brain consumes glucose, so take a
five minute break every hour to let your body produce more fuel for
studying. Eating a healthy snack is very beneficial and can make a
significant difference.
Form Study Groups: Study groups can motivate you to get started
when it’s hard to motivate yourself – plus, explaining difficult concepts
out loud helps you figure out what you understand and what you still
need to go over. Getting a group together will allow you to divide and
conquer definition of terms and explanations of concepts. If you get
each member to bring a snack, that’s incentive to actually meet.
Blueberry Brain Booster
Smoothie Recipe
1 Banana
¾ Cup of Blueberries
3 Strawberries
2 Cups of Spinach
2 Cups of Liquid Base (we used OJ, Coconut Milk, or
Almond Milk
1 tbsp Chia Seeds
Important Dates and “not to miss”
upcoming activities…
Use this space to market upcoming end of the
semester dates or activities…
Work out: Say YES to cardio. Science says that just 20 minutes of
cardio can improve your memory. Whether you’re dancing, jogging, or
busting a sweat by walking, exercise will increase your energy level
and reduce the effects of stress. How great is that?
Manage Your Time: By the time finals roll around, your time is
precious…every minute counts. This is why scheduling is essential
during the weeks/days prior to exams. To avoid going totally bonkers
during this stressful time, make a realistic study schedule for yourself.
Leave time for breaks, and be sure to prioritize according to which
class you’ll need to study for the most.
Check out the back for more final exam survival tips…