Lesson 4: The Power of Taking Breaks

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• Further Education (Key Stage 5)
• Upper Secondary (Key Stage 4)
• BTEC, GCSE

Introduction

The exam period is an exciting yet often stressful time for students. They struggle with planning, concentration, exam anxiety, and balancing study with relaxation. The lesson series Exam Boost supports students in preparing for their exams in a structured and calm way. These lessons are light-hearted, interactive, and immediately applicable, helping students to study effectively without feeling overwhelmed. The focus is on practical strategies they can use right away, such as smart planning, managing stress, building healthy habits, and studying more efficiently. Each lesson includes: A short introduction presenting a relatable scenario. Interactive elements like polls, quiz questions, and practical tasks to actively engage students. Concrete tips and exercises to help students take immediate action. A closing reflection where students share what they’re taking away from the lesson and how they’ll apply it. The lessons can be delivered individually or as a complete series. The goal is not only to help students succeed, but also to teach them how to do so with a healthy mindset and without unnecessary stress.

Instructions

Short introduction for the teacher:

Smart breaks help with concentration and motivation. Some students take too few breaks, while others get distracted too easily. In this lesson, students will discover how to use breaks effectively to improve their learning.

The Power of Taking Breaks

Lesson: 4

What kind of break do you take while studying?

A

Walking

B

Sleeping

C

Checking phone

D

Snacking

1

Scrolling through social media.

2

Moving around for a bit.

3

Listening to music or relaxing.

4

Gaming.

5

I (almost) never take breaks.

6

Other..

What do you do during your study breaks?

Poll

Discuss whether these breaks actually help or if they just cause more distractions.

How long should a break be to be effective?

A

2 minutes

B

5-10 minutes

C

10-15 minutes

D

20+ minutes

Quiz

Explain that short, effective breaks help with focus, while longer breaks can lead to distractions.

The Great British 'Break-off'

Try out different types of breaks over the next week.

Write down if you can concentrate better afterwards.

Choose a type of break that you will incorporate into your study schedule.

Step: 1

Step: 2

Step: 3

...so sorry for the pun :/

Practical Assignment

Step 1:

Let students try out different types of breaks (e.g. a short walk, breathing exercises, power nap, screen-free break).

Step 2:

They should note down whether they can concentrate better after each break.

Step 3:

They choose one break technique to include in their study schedule.

Encourage students to take breaks mindfully and avoid immediately grabbing their phone.

Smart breaks = better performance

⏱️

Take a 10-15 minute break after 25 minutes of studying.

🚶

Choose active breaks (walking, stretching, fresh air).

🤳

Avoid distractions like social media.

💪

My main tip is…

Conclusion:

Ask students to write down how they will use their breaks more wisely. Encourage them to reflect on which types of breaks help them recharge and stay focused, and how they can implement these in their study routines.

#check

Smart breaks = 

better performance

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