Your today frames your tomorrow. So, what you learn and how you learn today determines whether you live a good life in the future or not. When I say success in school or college, it does not necessarily mean just your grades. Your academic years go way beyond your grades and scores.
This is the prime of your youth when you learn everything you need – life skills, about your choice of study, and more. So, do not let these years be stagnant and boring. Make sure to have fun as you learn to be better in your field. You also must ensure to take care of your mental and physical health to taste eventual success.
On that note, here are ten habits to pick up early to taste sure-fire success in your academic life.
10 Habits Every Student Must Cultivate to Taste Academic Success
1. Learn to prioritize
In today’s world, the distractions are endless. Your favorite idol posting on Twitter, someone sending you memes on Facebook, a friend posting pictures on Instagram – the continuous notifications can digress you every time you sit to study. So, learn to master the art of resistance.
Also, learn to say a firm no when you have deadlines to meet. You can catch the movie later, but you cannot turn back time to submit that essay. So, say no to the house parties and movie dates. But that does not mean you cannot have fun. Just remember to have fun responsibly, and certainly not at the cost of your grades.
2. Set your goals early
Imagine getting out of the house and wandering without any proper destination in mind. Having definite goals to work towards will make your academic life a lot more organized. They will also keep you motivated to go on working until you reach your destination.
Start early and determine what you want to achieve this semester. It can be getting better at writing essay structures, learning a new language, or completing a major task. Setting the goals before you sit to study will tell you what you need to do to perform better.
3. Build a schedule
To stay ahead of your peers, start by building a study schedule and then make sure to follow it. Jot the hours that you feel most energetic and aim to study significant portions of your curriculum during that span. This will help you maintain a healthy study-life balance without taking a toll on your health.
Before sitting at your desk, make a list of the chapters you want to cover that day and start accordingly. Set yourself achievable goals and try to meet your daily target every day. Goals and objectives will help you stay on track and make you more disciplined.
4. Take part in activities
Participate actively when in the classroom. Interact with the teacher and your peers, answer your teachers’ questions, and clear all your doubts. Take the initiative to do something in class or suggest activities. This way, you will develop a good relationship with your classmates and teachers.
Also, get out and participate in other things. For example, join a club you are interested in – drama, pottery, science, etc. Your extra-curricular activities will also earn your more credits, which will eventually help you in the future.
5. Study in a Group
High school and college years can be stressful. But you can do things better with your friends by your side. Group study can help you handle the stress, therefore, keeping you mentally fit enough to study under pressure. Moreover, studying with friends can give you a much-needed break from the monotony.
Moreover, group studies can make you more efficient than when you study by yourself. You can even take help from your friends in chapters that you are weak in and help them in sections that you are thorough in.
6. Maintain a healthy diet
Remember, your health is your wealth. I have seen most students skip their breakfast because they do not want to waste valuable minutes making themselves a sandwich. However, you need to remember that breakfast is the most important meal contributing to 20% of our daily energy.
Therefore, however busy you may be, make sure you begin your day with a healthy meal that has the goodness of proteins and whole grains. Moreover, eating nutritional and healthy snacks can help you survive the ordeal with enhanced stamina. It is also vital that you avoid over-eating, and keep and consume a meal with equal amounts of vegetables and protein.
7. Find time to exercise
Did you know that light exercises could help you enhance your mental (and of course physical) stamina and help you focus better? So, switch to riding a bike to your classes. Or walk to school instead of taking the bus. Jogging and light running can be rewarding options too.
If you think your schedule is too hectic and you cannot afford to visit a gym regularly, you can even take up a sport to keep yourself motivated. For example, light racquet sports like badminton or table tennis or half an hour of soccer can make you feel more rejuvenated. Or just choose an open spot at your home and practice yoga and meditation.
8. Get adequate sleep
Without enough sleep, your brain can become resilient to absorbing new information, thus getting in your way of learning better. So, make sure to get adequate sleep to have better-memorizing power and remember what you have studied. If you cannot afford to sleep for a stretch of 6 to 7 hours, then take a short nap.
You can easily squeeze in an afternoon siesta in between your study hours. Power naps can energize your brain and help you absorb more information at a time. Avoid all-nighters as much as possible because it can prove to be counterproductive to your ability to perform well.
9. Learn to ask for help
You are only human, and it is entirely okay not to know everything. Therefore, when you are stuck with a particular chapter, ask for help immediately. Approach your teacher for extra lessons. Ask a friend or a senior year student to help you.
You can also hire an online tutor for additional assistance and take a break when your brain cannot process information. Use the free time to watch an episode of your favorite show on Netflix, listen to some soothing music, or just take a nap. You can even go out and meet your friends.
10. Learn from your mistakes
Do not let a setback deter you from bouncing back on your feet and trying again. Instead, use your mistakes as stepping stones and learn from them what to do and what not to do. Also, learn to own up to your mistakes instead of playing the blame game.
The second step after acknowledging your mistake would be to learn how to prevent them. Finally, put what you have learned throughout your academic years and in life into practice to be successful in your life.
Parting words,
As the adage goes, knowledge is power. So, take every necessary step to make sure all the years of hard toil do not go to waste. With these proven tips, I am sure that you will be able to give in your best and taste success eventually. All the best!
Author – Kelly Stone is a writer by calling and a teacher by profession. She is also an essay writer who extends Assignment Help assistance to Literature students through myassignmenthelp.com. Besides being an active blogger, Stone is involved in a lot of community work.