Are you preparing for your FE or PE Exam and feeling exhausted? Stressed? Well, I'm going to add one more item to your to-do list – exercise, but I am also going to give you a break – but only to go get moving! Sounds like a fair deal right? The truth is, exercise and movement is beneficial during your exam prep in so many ways! Physical activity and physical fitness have long been positively correlated to increased academic success. In today’s article, we are going to take a deeper dive into how getting moving can help you in your journey to ace your FE and PE Exams. *Disclaimer before beginning any fitness routines you should always consult your doctor to determine an exercise routine that is suited to you.
Improved Cognitive Performance
One of the main reasons that physical education (the other kind of PE) was introduced into elementary schools was that increased physical activity and increased aerobic fitness resulted in higher cognitive functions associated with memory and learning. In fact, the most significant increases in memory and learning were seen in the subjects of mathematics and reading. This information also holds true and is very beneficial for us adult FE and PE test takers, after all the PE Exam is centered around math and reading. Research shows that exercising releases proteins in the human brain and it is these proteins that cause the increase in cognitive functions. So if you are exercising regularly during your exam preparation, you will be better able to absorb and more easily retain all the information you are studying (And we know there’s A LOT of it!)
Improved Concentration and Increased Energy
Remember a few minutes ago you mentioned how you were exhausted from studying? Believe it or not, if you feel tired, exercising may actually help you feel less tired. Huh? That sounds counterintuitive, but truth is, physical activity increases blood flow to all parts of the body, including the brain. This increased blood flow to the brain promotes neural activity and cell growth which aid in concentration. Similarly, physical activity can also boost our energy levels, so that when you return to studying from that exercise break, you will feel refreshed and ready for your next dose of exam prep material! Also, all that overwhelming exam material can be stressful at times. Exercising can reduce that stress and keep you concentrated and focused on the end goal to pass your exams!
Success Breeds Success
Have you ever heard the saying, success breeds success, or the concept of habit stacking? Oftentimes success in one area of our life carries over and breeds success in other facets of our lives. Habit stacking is a similar idea where you start out with one good habit, and then add another good habit to it, and a third, and so on. The result of all these good habits is a good, balanced, and healthy lifestyle. Initially, it may seem like a bad time to start an exercise routine in the midst of FE or PE Exam prep, but with the technique of habit stacking it may be in fact the perfect time to capitalize on your upward momentum! Seeing success with getting outside and getting active will motivate you to achieve success in your studying, and exam prep and help you towards your goal of acing those exams!
Something for Everyone
One of the best things about physical activity is there are endless types of activities that you can go to get moving, and most can be scaled for your physical ability. Possibilities include a rec sports league such as softball or volleyball or soccer, gyms, HIIT, cycle, or CrossFit-type classes, and outdoor activities – such as bike or hike or kayaking, swimming, or running. In coastal areas, you may be able to surf or paddleboard, while in cooler areas snowboarding or skiing may be available options. Sometimes even just a brisk 20-minute walk or bike ride around your neighborhood can be an adventure and a quick, easy way to hit the reset button. It doesn’t matter so much as to what exercise you do, just that you do something to get moving and your blood circulating and those neurons firing!
It’s Healthy
It's no secret that exercise is linked to improved health in numerous ways. Including the reduced risk of heart disease and cancer, lower blood pressure, and better cholesterol levels. All of these will help you feel better, perform better in your job and overall be a better engineer to deliver better results for the clients you serve. Additionally, regular physical exercise results in a stronger immune system. That means less chances of you being sick during exam prep or worse yet, sick on exam day. Let’s face it FE and PE exam prep is already full of challenges and you don’t need any additional ones, so staying healthy will help you stay successful!
Well, what are you waiting for? Stand up from your desk, step away from your computer screen, your phone screen, and other digital distractions, and go get 20 minutes of exercise in! When you come back, head on over to https://civilengineeringacademy.com/review-courses/ to check out the Ultimate Civil PE Exam and Ultimate Civil FE Exam Review Courses. We are here to help you every step of the way towards passing your Civil FE and PE Exams. We’ll see you there!
Do you have a topic or interesting project that you would like us to cover in a future blog post? Submit it to us at https://civilengineeringacademy.com/contact/ We would love to hear from you!
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Author: Matt Fanghella, PE, CFM
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