Tips for Studying as a Student Post Surgery

When I had my surgery for my sleep apnea I was about 16 years old at the time. So I was still in school. School is hard in general for most teenagers but especially after surgery. You can have a lot of catching up to do. Here are some study tips that helped me get ahead on my schoolwork post-surgery.

Study tips post sleep apnea surgery

Take care of yourself

This seems obvious but we can forget to take care of ourselves! It’s hard to do things when you’re tired let alone try to cram things you probably don’t care about into your brain!

Get enough sleep

Make sure you get enough sleep every night. That means turning off electronic devices before bed. Read a book you enjoy to help you fall asleep, or something that will ease your brain down. Use warmer lights in your room instead of LEDs. I like a string of Christmas lights or an electronic lantern. 

Healthy eating, hydration, sun breaks

Stay hydrated, and eat nourishing foods – or foods that are good for brain power. Allow yourself study breaks. Going outside and into the sunlight can be an immense help. Vitamin D is good for so many things! You need to have a healthy balance, as with all things.

Memorization tools

Some people like flash cards. I like to use post-it notes! I left the notes with facts, equations, phrases I need to learn, etc. all over the house near things I see daily. For example, on the mirror in the bathroom, next to a light switch, next to the sink, wherever you’re going to look the most often. If I see it and read it over and over and over again, it helps it to eventually stick into my brain.

Another way to memorize is to have someone test you on what you know so far. Sometimes speaking things out loud to another person can help you remember what you’re trying to memorize.

Old fashioned route with comfort

Or you can take the old-fashioned route and just put your nose to the page and study that way. It does help if you’re comfortable though! Maybe put on some fuzzy socks and your pajamas, get a mug of hot chocolate to sip on and study in a nice comfortable chair. I found a video of instrumental music on youtube that I like to play in the background when I work. Sometimes it can help me concentrate better.

You don’t have to be miserable the whole time. If you are worried you’ll be stuck in your room all day, set an alarm for study breaks. Every 30 minutes or so, get up, stretch, walk around and take a breather.

Ask for extensions or help

This also might seem like common sense but it’s just not something I did much. I was shy and figured my teachers would be too strict; but looking back, they probably would have helped me. If you’re on pain meds it might be especially hard to concentrate or maybe you just need a lot of extra sleep for a while as you’re healing.

You can ask an adult to help try to explain things to you better in a way you might understand easier. Or explain to your teachers that you really need the help. If they do help you, be appreciative and considerate!

I hope these help you or your loved ones in your life trying to heal post sleep apnea surgery. Let me know if these work or if you’d do something different.

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