Some things can make you more productive and habits that do quite the opposite. College is not only about following the academic curriculum, but also learning how to be more successful with your time and efforts. One needs to adopt good habits that increase efficiency and help to stay happy and healthy.
If you want to know how to be a good student, here are some activities you need to abstain from.
1. Doing Everything on Your Own
Although it is understandable why one might want to do everything themselves, it is important to learn to ask for help. If you do not understand something during the lecture or have questions – always ask the professor about it. It is part of their job and it only shows your interest and the desire to learn.
Also, do not forget to ask your classmates to study together. Ask them where they found that particular source or book. College is about cooperation and communication. And, of course, do not forget that there is always professional help of essaywritingservice out there. If you are overwhelmed with studies and cannot do all the assignments yourself, it is totally fine to ask an essay writing service in Canada for assistance. Do not be afraid to look stupid, asking for help is much more effective than making mistakes.
2. Studying Without a Plan
The worst thing one can do is to be chaotic about their studies. Going with the flow is not what works for a successful student. You need to be organized and learn proper time management skills. It will help you to do more and have a good understanding of what is the priority today.
Download one of the organizational apps, for example, Any.do is a pretty good one. Create a calendar with all deadlines and tasks to do. Set reminders for a week before a deadline, so you can start studying beforehand. And always have a plan of what you want to achieve in each study session. Set goals like read 12 pages, learn 20 terms, write an essay outline, etc.
3. Not Turning Off Distractions
Sometimes, students do not even understand how much of their time goes to distractions. They might say that they studied for 8 hours, but they’ve spent 2 of these hours on social media and 2 more on watching TV. To understand how harmful distractions are, you can track your time honestly for a couple of days with Toggl and see how much it takes you to scroll through your Tik Tok feed.
To be more efficient with your education you need to eliminate distractions. Turn off the TV and music if it doesn’t help you concentrate. Turn off smartphone notifications, there is nothing important happening on social media. Focus on what you need to do.
4. Not Caring About Their Health
Students tend to disregard any concerns about a healthy lifestyle. Of course, college is the time of exploration, but it is also essential to find a balance. You can go to parties and meet new people, but try to be responsible about alcohol consumption as it can be very harmful to your body and brain.
Also, try to eat healthy because it has a direct impact on your academic success. Several studies show that a well-balanced diet is linked to better performance in college. And it is obvious – your brain needs nutrition.
The same goes for physical exercise. Being physically active is vital for well-being and productive studies. You do not have to be a professional athlete, something so small as walking instead of driving or choosing a bike instead of public transport can be very helpful.
5. Not Taking Breaks
Some students think that the longer they study, the better. But this is not how productivity works. It is not about the time you spend but about the result you get. And also, our brains get tired. It is crucial to take breaks when you are studying intensively.
There are several techniques. Some recommend working for 25 minutes and taking a 5-minute break. Others work for an hour and take a 15-minute break. Choose what works for you, but never forget about time to rest. Otherwise, you’ll be less efficient and more tired. And in a long run, intense sessions without breaks can lead to academic burnout and even mental exhaustion. Suggested – Surviving Last Year at College: 8 Study Tips
6. Waiting Till the Last Minute
Procrastination is truly a bad habit. Postponing your duties is never as fun as one might hope. Even if you think that there is a lot of time to write an essay, the thought about it will still bother you and add to stress and anxiety. It is always good to start early with all the projects.
And if they seem too scary, break them down into small and manageable chunks. For example, you need to write an essay by the end of the month. Break it down into the blocks like analyzing the assignment, researching the topic, finding sources, reading them, making an outline, drafting a thesis statement and arguments, writing, proofreading, formatting. Now, each of these tasks doesn’t look very scary. You can do one thing a day and still finish earlier than that deadline.
7. Studying in Bed
This is a small but important habit. Studying in bed is extremely unproductive. The chances that you’ll fall asleep are very high. Do not lie to yourself by saying that you’ll just read your notes in comfort. You’ll have a lot of trouble even focusing on the book. And if you do it constantly it might result in problems with sleep as your brain will associate bed with trying to work. So just have a designated study place somewhere else.
In Summary
Being a good student is all about managing your time wisely, taking care of your mind and body, and learning from your mistakes. Adopt habits that will make you more successful and productive, always set goals, manage your calendar, and break big tasks into smaller ones. And do not forget to rest too!
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