Test Prep is Better When You're Laughing

I spent last week in Los Angeles studying the history of popular comedy in America; participating in Q and A's with pros like the Sklar brothers, Jessica Chaffin, and Jill Soloway; and attending performances by teams at top improv theaters and stand-up greats like Wyatt Cynac, Zach Galifianakis, Kristen Schaal, and Dana Gould.

I'm a big fan of laughter and finding the humor even among the serious (ehem, test prep, ehem ehem). 

While laughter might seem a luxury, it turns out that there is scientific backing for why it is so good for us.  Just google "benefits of laughing," and you will find articles like this one that list benefits such as the following: 

• Increased creativity
  
• Improved problem-solving ability
  
• Enhanced memory (for humorous material)
  
• Increased ability to cope with stress, by providing an alternative, less serious perspective on one’s problems
  
• Elevated mood and feelings of well-being
  
• Reduced depression, anxiety, and tension
  
• Increased self-esteem and resilience
  
• Increased hope, optimism, energy, and vigor
  

All of those benefits, along with a collection of others, can improve your ability to prepare for and take a college admissions test.

Try actively infusing your prep with a bit more humor and sense of play.

Don't be afraid to take breaks. Make them quality breaks like watching a funny video, dancing in your bedroom, or reading a funny article online.

Turn preparing for your test into a communal experience by partnering with a test prep coach and/or a classmate and have fun with it. Make up silly hand gestures to remember math formulas. Play a game of charades that incorporates the vocab words you are learning. Behave as ridiculously as possible. 

Laughter is not the opposite of productivity. {Tweet It!}

Not only will your preparation be more potent when seasoned with a spoonful of comedic sugar, but you will also have a greater sense of self-confidence and be better able to manage anxiety on test day.

Life is better when you're laughing. So is test prep.