Effective Study Habits Will Help You Qualify for College and Excel There

Have you ever heard yourself say, “Yeah, that report is due in two weeks but I just do not feel like it right now. Besides, my friends are going to go …” The next question you ask yourself might be: “Who is talking, the ‘winner’ inside me or … the ‘quitter’? Is this decision moving me toward my goals or away from them?” Yes, it is fun to enjoy time with your friends. However, developing some effective habits will make it possible for you to achieve your school goals as well as your personal goals and have fun, too.

Although our schools demand good study habits, they rarely teach study skills. Teachers may assume that, just because they assign homework, the students in their classes already know how to organize their time and already have the essential study habits. Nothing could be further from the truth. Most often, after the last class, students do not want to think about homework. They just want to get away from school and have fun with friends.

This is a time for you to learn and apply effective habits that will help you to move ahead, to advance toward your college goals. Remember that report that is due? You have just spent the day in school, your brain is fully functional, and the assignment is clear in your mind. What an excellent time to get your report started! And it is very likely that it will take less time to complete the report when you are in “school mode” than when you are in “play mode”. Switching gears from play mode to school mode on Sunday night is difficult to do and easy to avoid. Why not take advantage of school mode when you are already in it?

Take a minute to learn an important study tip: Completing assignments immediately after school or during a study period takes less time and is easier than completing them later. And this study habit will benefit you in your future career as well.

Other Effective Habits that Lead to Excellence

• Take advantage of small blocks of time to complete assignments and to review notes or flash cards. Get to class a few minutes early and read over or read ahead; you will be better prepared than your peers who are texting trivia to friends. Take advantage of the rest of your lunch hour and review.
• Use a weekly planner to block out your time. In addition to blocking out classes and study time, block out time with friends, family, and for activities you love. Adjust your schedule when you have additional work to do. Use a different color for classes, study time, and so on. Review your schedule often to keep yourself focused. You will find that your weeks seem longer as you learn to make efficient use of time.
• Reward yourself when you stick to your schedule and complete your assignments. Whether it is a walk in the woods or an hour listening to a favorite band, congratulate yourself for being a winner. Celebrate in small ways.
• Repeat the following week. You will be glad you did.