The Foundation to Collegiate Success: It’s All In The Habits You Create
By Kree Small
“Study while others are sleeping. Work while others are loafing. Prepare while others are playing. Dream while others are wishing.” – William Arthur Ward
The key to a successful college career is not solely in the social life you build, but in the habits you create. Establishing a set regimen, finding good study time, and discovering the perfect locations are guaranteed ways to ensure collegiate success. This is best achieved through trial and error; it takes time to learn which study habits you best respond to, but once you have your regimen down you can utilize it to progress for any subject.
Amanda Thornton, a Richmond Public School Counselor, confirms that finding your cup of tea when it comes to where and how to study can put you in the best boat and allow you to be comfortable about whatever it is you’re preparing for.
“There are definitely things every student should include in their study habits, such as the ‘want-to-do-well’ mindset,” Amanda says. “When you go into a subject–or in this instance, a class–believing that you can [succeed], it subconsciously gives you the confidence to eliminate fearfulness.”
In addition to changing your mindset, it’s important to decide which method of learning is most effective for you. While some people may be hands-on learners, others may be visual or auditory learners.
Jalen Jackson, a current student at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College, is a visual learner, and he let us in on a few secrets that he uses to get the job done and ace his work.
“It seems pretty basic, but it helps me immensely when I am alone to rewrite my notes and read them aloud as I go over them.” Memory plays a key role in helping Jalen out when reviewing information for an upcoming test or quiz.
“I tend to make flashcards on the main topics and subjects, or even flag the questions I don’t fully comprehend until I can understand the full aspect.” He expressed that because he is a more social learner, he prefers peer studying because it provides the opportunity to look at the material from others’ perspectives, allowing you to grasp the content in new ways.
Location is a major determining factor in how well your study system works when put to action. Finding suitable areas on and off campus is essential in building your custom study routine. For Jalen, he chooses to have his study sessions in a quiet, convenient location.
“Inside the campus library you have information around you at your disposal, and sitting down and staying focused in one of the study rooms is not difficult at all,” he says. He also notes that for long periods of studying, local cafes and coffee shops are perfect for keeping him energized.
Scheduling a routine, managing your time, and understanding what works best for you all contribute to building solid study habits, which all lead to a successful college career. Take note of what works and what doesn’t, and replicate the techniques you use when you’re at peak productivity.
“Find and apply the appropriate skills for yourself instead of doing the busy work of a study routine that doesn’t truly work for you,” Thornton reminds us. “After all, the objective of studying is to progress. Progression is the name of the game.”
