10 good study habits every student should have

Developing habits that help

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

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1. Create a Study Plan

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.

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Caption: : Manage Your study Time Effectively with GoConqr's Study Planner

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.

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Caption: : Composite of 20 student brains taking the same test

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.

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4. Get Enough Sleep

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.

   

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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!

5. Ask Questions

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6. Test Yourself Regularly

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.

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7. Learn From Your Mistakes

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.

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8. Practice Under Test Conditions

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.

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9. Apply Learning to Real-life

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.

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10. Follow What you Love

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.

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