5 Ways to Establish Good Study Habits When School Starts

Now that summer is over and students are heading back to school, it’s time to start preparing for the academic grind. For many, it can be a struggle to change from a leisurely mindset back to being more focused; but getting off to the right start can make a big difference in whether or not you have a successful school year. One of the best ways to help you get on the right track is to establish and maintain good study habits. Here is a list of 5 effective study habits that can help you prepare and succeed in the upcoming school year:

1. Get Organized

Using a planner is something most students cannot do without. Writing down assignments, marking due dates and setting reminders will make sure that you stay on top of your work. This will also help you determine priority, so that when you are ready to study, you can focus on what needs to be done at that time. Color coding can also provide you with a visual cue that allows you to quickly see what items are happening when. Being organized helps you make effective use of your time. You can distribute your workload, so that you are not feeling rushed, which will lead to more efficient and relaxed studying.

2. Dedicate Time

Establish a set time for studying. This can be right after school, after dinner, before bed or whenever works best for you. Everybody’s personality is different, so only you will know when you are most effective. The idea is to find your peak time for efficiency. There is no use studying immediately after school if you are already burned out from the day and/or feeling hungry. You may need to give yourself some time off and rejuvenate before you get back to work. However, if you are the type of person who comes home from school and needs to keep going, while it’s fresh in your mind, then don’t wait. In any case, after you find your niche, make it a routine. You can also set up weekly study sessions with friends to keep up on reading or to study for a test/exam. The main point is to make sure that you are setting time aside that is dedicated to studying. This way, your work doesn’t get pushed aside and you don’t fall behind.

3. Find a Workspace/Environment

In order to eliminate distractions and achieve effective studying, it helps to have a supporting environment. This can be in your own bedroom, at the library, in a coffee shop or some other easily accessible location. Make sure that your friends and family are aware that you are studying, as to avoid interruption. For some, it may be preferable to listen to music in order to block out distractions. Your physical workspace is equally important. Try to avoid feeling cluttered or uncomfortable. It may help to do something small like redecorating or adding a plant to your desk, to further create a soothing environment.

4. Be Prepared

Being prepared can make a big difference in whether or not your study time was effectively utilized. If you participate in class, ask questions and take proper notes, then when you are home studying, you can focus on going back over the material, rather than trying to teach yourself the material. Also, try and complete any prerequisite items before they are needed. That is, if you have an upcoming research paper due, set time and complete your research beforehand. That way, you can spend time writing when you need to, rather than researching at that time. If you try to do it all at once, you will likely stress yourself out, and it will take a lot more time than it probably should have. In addition, don’t forget about the little things. The last thing you want to do is to spend hours finishing a paper, only to find that your printer is out of ink, or that you are out of printer paper. Little items like this can cause a lot of unnecessary stress. Think about what you will need to complete your tasks, and then make sure that the proper preparation has been taken.

5. Follow Through

Once you have a plan in place, make sure that you follow through with it. Avoiding procrastination can be one the hardest items to overcome when developing good study habits. Don’t let yourself make excuses or push tasks off. The escape now will come back as stress later. If you are avoiding the work because you think it might be too hard or you don’t understand it, ask for help. The more proactive you are, the better off you will be. If something is more challenging than first expected, this also allots you the extra time that you may need to figure it out or get it done. When you do stay on track and accomplish set tasks, the quality should show in your work and your grades should give you the reward that you have been looking for. Still find yourself unsure about establishing good study habits? Do you want some extra help to make sure that get you going in the right direction? Contact Club Z! In-Home Tutoring Services today and ask about our study skills tutoring using our proprietary Learning Built to Last program! Click here for more information.