They say that old habits die hard, which makes cultivating good habits all the more important. Of course it's not always easy knowing where to start, so we've put together a simple guide to put you on the path to student success! And to kick things off, here are some wise words to help get you motivated:“Sow a thought, and you reap an act;Sow an act, and you reap a habit;Sow a habit, and you reap a character;Sow a character, and you reap a destiny.” -Samuel Smiles, Author and Government Reformer
This seems like a complete no-brainer but top students never fail to
properly plan their future success. If you are feeling overwhelmed by
the amount of work you have on your plate, having a nice, clear study
plan will help boost your motivation and
reduce stress by focusing on one piece of the puzzle at a time. GoConqr’s Online Calendar will help you create, manage and
track tasks related to your study. The online calendar allows you to
create events related to your academic life and associate them with your
GoConqr subjects.
Caption: : Manage Your study Time Effectively with GoConqr's Study Planner
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2. Take Study Breaks
Does this study tip surprise you? Many students think they can cram a
lot of information into their heads by sitting down and learning
straight for a few hours at a stretch. However, your ability to learn reduces the
more time you spend staring at your books as your brain needs time to process all the information you are feeding it. In other words, give it a break every hour or so.With that said, remember to use that break time wisely: some activities such as
taking a walk can help productivity by boosting your brain activity further, as the image opposite shows.
Caption: : Composite of 20 student brains taking the same test
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3. Build your Own Study Notes
Our philosophy has always been to support active learning by
encouraging students to build their own set of study notes using Mind Maps and Flashcards
and other effective methods.Countless users have shared their success
stories with us saying that creating their own online notes has helped
them discover a unique way to learn and enabled them to maintain
exceptional grades which illustrates how powerful active learning can
be.
Exhaustion is the enemy of the elite. Here’s why sleep is important:
when you properly rest, your brain strengthens the knowledge you have
learned during the day by assimilating information so the better you
sleep, the better you learn.The relationship between sleeping and
learning is often disregarded by busy students but those at the top know
the importance of this essential element of the learning process.
Instead of passively sitting in lectures absorbing what’s going on, make an effort to get involved.For instance, have you noticed what the top performing students are doing? They are engaging in the learning experience by asking questions, striking up a conversation with the lecturer and getting involved in their learning.It's ok if you feel a bit shy and don’t want to be the one to put your hand up all the time, but don't let that stop you from asking questions and the topics you are studying.In other words, always be sure to ask why: it may be a small word but it's a really big question!
Cramming doesn’t even enter the mind of a top student.Reviewing
material in regular bursts ensures that information is stored in the
memory over the long-term, extending the learning experience beyond the
test.Many top students use the spaced-repetition concept
to optimise learning by systematically reviewing notes to embed
knowledge in the brain. Flashcards can be used to integrate this technique into the study
routine as you can quickly review theory and only include material you
don’t know to save time.Creating practice quizzes is another way to
regularly engage your mind.
If you want to build good habits into your study routine, you should
start at where you are right now. Take a look back at your recent marks
and review where and why you missed the correct answer. Whether it’s a
question they answered incorrectly in class or a grade from a pop quiz,
top students always analyse their mistakes to build on their learning.
The number one way high-achievers ensure they reach their target grades
is by preparing for tests in the way that they will sit the real thing.
This means a certain amount of dedication will need to be demonstrated
by setting a timer, putting your books away and answering questions to
put your brain to work. Online quizzes are an ideal way to easily create
exam-like conditions and put your knowledge to the test.
Top students recognise that acquiring skills is critical for the
challenges faced in life. Learning is not about studying for a test and
getting good grades, it’s about understanding knowledge and what you can
do with that knowledge. During the deeper learning process, students
take ownership of their learning by applying core academic skills to
real-life situations.
Those students you admire are passionate about what they are
learning. They have the drive to develop their learning further based on
their love of what they are discovering. This may not always be the
case and is often unavoidable but if you follow what interests you and
cultivate a curiosity of this area, your motivation to learn will
thrive.
Not every student is the same and many top students don’t follow the
status quo. The best way to create good habits for students is to try a
variety of techniques and figure out what works for you.
