CREDIT: STOCK PHOTO
The mighty egg helps to boost brain power.

Now that the holiday break has ended (too soon, for some), it appears as if we are all off to the races once again. We are now beginning the Winter 2013 semester, and it means that we are only a short time away from spring popping up, and tales of fishing, beaches and warm sun seem within an arm's reach, you think it is too much to bear. Too many assignments, too many projects, not enough time!

Do not fret, my fellow Falcons. The keys to remaining focused are simple and can be followed with relative ease even by the busiest, most time-strapped individual.

The first step is to ensure that you receive enough sleep in accordance with your calorie intake and exertion. "Animal and human studies suggest that the quantity and quality of sleep have a profound impact on learning and memory," according to information from Harvard Medical (for more information, check out healthysleep.med.harvard.edu). This does not necessarily mean you must have eight hours of sleep each night, but it does suggest that you must find a balance between the amount of time you sleep and the level of sleep you achieve, which can vary from three to eight hours per person.

The second step is to ensure you consume the proper foods that will increase your brain power and your overall level of competency and cognitive function when absorbing and applying knowledge in various scenarios. Through research, I have come up with a list of costefficient, healthy and delicious foods that will increase your overall health in addition to enhancing your memory so you will be prepared to study and retain the information. This list includes items like tomatoes, red grapes, mixed nuts, fish, capers, coffee, blueberries, turmeric and eggs.

I know what you're thinking. Is coffee healthy? Yes! Coffee that is black and fresh roasted with no additives or by-products is beneficial because of the natural ingredients in coffee beans that act as antioxidants. It is the same concept for the blueberries, red grapes and capers.

The third and final step to remaining focused and retaining knowledge during the semester is to be confident. This may not seem like an important step, but you must understand the possibility of adversity defeating you if you are not ready mentally or physically. If you incorporate the first two steps of obtaining enough sleep and the consumption of brain enhancing foods with the final step of confidence and perseverance, you will be successful in anything you put your mind to as your physiological and intellectual capabilities work together to enhance your odds of getting better marks.

Sometimes life throws you a curveball, but it is up to you to take it stride and make it work for you. We are all in this together, and we still have a long way to go before the flowers flourish and the grass is nourished again.