“All our life, so far as it has definite form, is but a mass of habits” – William James
The importance of good habits cannot be overstated. Simply put, we are the sum of our habits. They literally shape not just our everyday actions but also our life. As Aristotle put it, excellence isn’t an act, but a habit. Think of all those interviews that you have heard with exam toppers. When they are asked what led to their success, they always enumerate their good habits-be it getting up early or studying consistently throughout the year.
The good news with habits is also that they aren’t cast in stone & can be changed. You could start small but as long as you stick to them, you are sure to be successful. An important part of creating good habits is also to be intentional. You, therefore, need to be careful in selecting what habits to put your energy into.
Here are the top 10 habits of successful students that are worth emulating:
Table of Contents
1. Consistency, consistency, consistency
This is the number 1 habit of all successful students. They are consistent with their study schedule throughout the year as opposed to resorting to cramming when examinations approach. Not only does consistency lead to academic success it also leads to the socioemotional well-being of students. A student who has studied throughout the year is less likely to undergo stress & panic during exam time. Whether it is attending classes, submitting your home assignments, or dedicating a specific number of hours to self-study, all of these go a long way in your academic success. In fact, the benefits of consistency & self-discipline will live with you much after you have transitioned from student life.
Procrastination, on the other hand, can lead to a sense of overwhelm and spiked-up stress levels, which further inhibit your ability to study. You need to therefore steer clear of delayed issues. In fact, it is highly helpful to finish those tasks/lessons that you find tough, early. Not only will you approach them with increased concentration, but the fact that you have been able to complete them to your satisfaction will also fill you with increased confidence to take on the rest of the work.
2. Being organized is the Habits Of Successful Students
It stands to reason that you need to be organized to be able to achieve your goals. Whether you are preparing for your exams or working on your assignments, you need to have a plan in place. Efficient time management is the key to success. With a well-thought through routine, you will be able to optimize your output.
Being organized does not just mean having a study schedule, it also extends to your study area. Ensure that your room & particularly your study table isn’t cluttered. An orderly physical environment encourages creativity and will help you focus better.
3. Do not multitask
In today’s world where we are juggling many things, this may seem to be strange advice. However, it is anything but that. Multitasking can, not just affect the quality of our work, it can kill focus and also make us less productive. Research shows that in the long run, it could also lead to memory issues.
Instead, focusing on the subject that you are studying or the work that you are doing, is imperative. During those study hours, it is best to put your phone on “ focus mode” as well so that you aren’t tempted to respond to those notifications. Keeping distractions at bay is key.
4. Sleep well
Again this is one aspect that should not be compromised. While you may think that staying up late will give you the extra hours in which you can study more, the fact is that a rested brain is extremely important. In fact, there are many risks associated with sleep deprivation. These include obesity, type 2 diabetes, mood swings, trouble coping with stress, brain fog, and more.
5. Eat healthy is also Habits Of Successful Students
Nutritious food acts as fuel for the body & the brain. A healthy breakfast is particularly necessary to jumpstart your day. Keeping healthy snacks at hand for those long study sessions is ideal. That way you will not binge on junk food. While caffeine may give you a boost in those study hours, too much of it can among other things impact the quality of sleep. Ensure also to keep yourself hydrated. Besides regulating your body temperature, delivering the necessary nutrients to the cells, and helping organs to function properly, it also improves sleep quality, cognition & mood.
6. Exercise
As they say, a healthy mind can reside only in a healthy body. It is important to give your body the exercise it needs. Not only does being physically active keep your body healthy & free from diseases, it also improves your brain health. As far as possible try to get out and get some sun. Vitamin D, The “sunshine vitamin” has many perks including improving your bone health & regulating the immune system. Its importance is also seen in increasing the release of serotonin, which is known to improve your mood. Even if you do not have too much time at hand, simply stretching out your muscles during a study break can do wonders for your physical & mental well-being too.
7. Take Breaks
It stands to reason that trying to put in a lot of work without taking adequate breaks can prove to be counterproductive. Research shows that taking purposeful breaks from studying to refresh increases your ability to focus. It is also known to reduce stress. In fact, power naps are known to keep you feeling revitalized. The Pomodoro technique is also known to be extremely powerful when it comes to improving productivity. The way that it works is that you work for a focused 25 minutes and then enjoy a 5-minute break. Among other things the periodic breaks help lessen the burnt-out feeling we are often left with. Besides, since you put a timer on, for the focused 25-minute work periods, it instills a sense of urgency & does not allow you to squander time away.
8. Ask Questions
Every so often students find asking questions in front of the class intimidating. Asking questions, however, is extremely important since it helps clear your doubts and understands the subject better. In fact, your asking questions could prove to be beneficial for the entire class and also involves the habits of successful students.
9. Pursue your hobbies
It is important to follow your passions. In fact, not only will they help you relax, they will even help you approach your studies in a rejuvenated manner. Whether you like to play a sport, play a musical instrument, or knit, they can all be big stress busters.
10. Have a positive attitude
Having a positive attitude has many advantages. For one, it helps you lean into the best version of yourself. When you are filled with joy you become a better person, a better student & more. A positive attitude lets you relax. That in turn also allows you to focus & absorb relevant information. You are also likely to make the most of learning opportunities in this state of mind.
Positivity also makes it easier to achieve your goals. With a positive mindset, you can also make better decisions, can ask for help where needed, and grow.
To Sum Up
While the road to success has its ups & downs, building these habits can go a long way to help you grow. At Pragyanam, one of the top CBSE schools for admission, we focus on the holistic development of children. Inculcating healthy habits & equipping them with the necessary life skills is an important part of our pedagogy. At Pragyanam, we strongly believe that each child is born with limitless potential and as adults, all we need to do is to nurture this no-limit aspect. Here’s to raising a resilient generation of learners!
