5 Bad Study Habits to Drop and 4 Good Ones to Keep

 When you first start studying, it can be difficult to determine which study habits are beneficial and which are detrimental. You don't have to figure it out on your own, though.

If you've ever been a student, you know that "being a great student" should be its own course. One of the more significant requirements you will confront in college is the need to learn things on your own. Don't worry, though; you're not alone. We've compiled a list of study habits you should preserve and a list of study habits you should avoid.

Bad Study Habits that Keep You from Being the Best Student You Can Be

First, let’s start with the study habits that disempower many students.

 

1.Procrastination 

If your friends on Facebook with other students, you probably know what to expect on your feed once it’s time to get ready for exams: everyone suddenly gets busy.

But they don’t get busy studying. Instead, they clean their homes, cook for the first time in months, or worse, spend all day on Facebook or sleeping. In other words, they’re procrastinating. It’s very common and very easy to understand. Studying for exams can be very stressful, and it forces you to face your fears about yourself and your dreams.

WHAT TO DO:There are many anti-procrastination strategies you can adopt, from better time management to being more organized, following to-do-lists, to asking someone to check up on your progress.

2.Studying in the Wrong Place 

Rule of thumb: If you fall asleep while reading in a certain location (such as your couch or bed), it isn't the greatest place for you to study. A place with a lot of distractions, such as the beach, is the same.

WHAT TO DO: Some people require things to happen around them in order to concentrate - you should try out different environments to find the best learning environment for you.

3.Turning on Distractions

 

Along the lines of the point we just made, it might be more fun to study in front of the TV, or while you’re logged into Facebook, but chances are you won’t get much done.

WHAT TO DO: If it’s hard for you not to be connected, you might want to try to reward yourself with TV or social media time after you get a certain amount of studying done.

4.Studying the Night Before

 

You might pass some tests studying only the night before, but it will be hard to pass many tests this way, especially if you’re aiming for higher grades and a deeper understanding of what you’re studying. Not only do academic studies require a lot of your time, attention and energy, but your brain won’t function as well without a good night’s sleep, which will further challenge your chances to succeed when you take the exam.

WHAT TO DO: Take a break a day before a test, do something you love like going for a walk or meeting friends. Make one page with the main points to remember and review it only in the morning of the test after a nice breakfast.

 5.Studying with The Wrong People
 

Choosing the right people to study with is an important factor for your learning performance. For example, studying with friends could be a great idea if you and your friends are motivated enough, and know how to support yourselves through the more challenging parts of studying.

 

WHAT TO DO: give it a chance, but know when to put the limit if needed. If you and your studying partner end up chatting about other topics, it might be best to study separately, or only get together to test each other out with questions after you’ve each learned the material on your own.

Good Study Habits that Will Help You Succeed in as a student

Now, let’s take a look at what works for many students.

1: Make a Timetable

It's easy to become overwhelmed by everything you have to do in your daily activities, as well as what's going on in your personal life. The exam is coming up tomorrow, and you have no idea what it will be about. To avoid this, read over each course plan at the start of the semester and figure out how much time you'll need to study each week to get through the subject. Make sure to provide time to catch up because unforeseen events may arise, or certain elements of studying may take longer than anticipated.

2: Set Study Goals

 

The habit above helps you get started with study goals by quantifying how much studying you need to get done every week for every course – but it doesn’t stop there. It might also help you to set study goals for each time you sit down and study. It could be to study a certain number of chapters, understand a challenge better, master a skill, or simply get through a larger amount of time without checking Facebook than you did yesterday.

3: Ask for Help

 

You never need to feel embarrassed to ask for help, but ask for help even if you do feel embarrassed, with whatever you need: understanding the chapter, taking care of the kids, improving your studying skills, or venting about how overwhelmed you feel. It’ll be easier after you get the help, and you’ll be much more equipped to accomplish your study goals.

4: Reward yourself

Positive feedback can go a long way in motivating you to persevere even when things are difficult. It doesn't have to be anything significant. It could be as simple as watching your favorite show or rewarding yourself with ice cream after completing a difficult study assignment. In any case, be kind to yourself and give yourself a reward for your efforts.

Good or Bad Study Habits? What Works for Others Might Not Work for You

We prepared this list based on best practices that work for a vast majority of students. But remember that what works for most people doesn’t work for all people. We highly recommend you give yourself the freedom to explore what’s best for you, and then practice these habits until they become second nature, or until they serve you no more.

I would love to hear from you in the comment session and also share it for the benefit of other people.