Why have people around the world practiced meditation for thousands of years? For Buddhists, meditation has long been the path to achieving enlightenment, a practice that brings clarity and calm. While most Loyola students are not aiming for enlightenment, most Cubs are open to anything that could help improve their academic performance.

We all know that doing well on a test requires mastery over the material, and the go-to methods are familiar. But there is an aspect of studying that is often overlooked: mental well-being. Without tools to manage stress, even solid studying techniques may fall short when it’s test time.

Tanner Barra ‘26 commented, “Personally, I don’t meditate, but I understand people who do and benefit by finding peace and tranquility.”

Even if one is well-prepared, stress can cause restlessness, impaired focus, and other issues. Meditation can help.

Riley Durkin ‘25 added, “Keeping a collected mind is just as important as knowing the content for difficult exams.”

While meditation won’t magically put new information in your mind, it can help you make the most of what you know. It’s superb in healing the prefrontal cortex. Including short meditation sessions in your study routine may improve cognitive function and, just as importantly, your ability to recall information during an exam by helping you stay calm and focused.