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 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!

Brain Booster Smoothies With tips to get you “smoothly” through 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. 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.

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… 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. 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…