On this side of the calendar, summer feels a lot closer, and with that, a whole school year will be in the rearview mirror. How have you performed in school so far? Is there room for improvement in your study habits? Or are you already as big of a school rock star as you possibly can be? The new year is time for reflection on the past, present and future and time to set the course for 2017.
Assess your Previous Work History
Ask yourself a few questions as you start the new year. Did you find that you struggled with anything in particular? Did you always give yourself enough preparation time for tests, and if yes how did you perform? Looking back at your previous semester and your previous study habits is a great way to figure out if your process needs to be refined.
Make a New Plan
If after some reflection you think you are in need of new habits, the beginning of the semester is the time to make the change. Don’t wait for mid-semester when digging yourself out of your bad study habits is an unattainable goal. If you notice you are struggling with a particular subject, ask for extra help or even seek out the guidance of a tutor. It’s easier to get ahead of any academic problems than to come out from behind them.
Good School/Life Balance
School is important, there is no denying that. However if you obsess and overthink your studies you will place undue stress on your body, possibly causing you to perform worse than ever before. You need to ensure you have a good balance of social and physical activities in addition to your studies. Your mind needs some down time too so consider joining a sports team or taking a martial arts class as a way to give your mind a break from the constant demands of school. You will be surprised at how having an outside activity can actually help to improve your studies as long as you maintain a good balance between the two.
For some students school is a breeze and they can coast through almost effortlessly, but for the majority of students there is a lot of work that goes into academic success. This year, be a student that you can be proud of. Give yourself the chance you deserve to really shine as a student and excel beyond all expectations!
