Rely on systems, not motivation

Students who do well in school don’t wait until they’re in the mood to study before they get down to work.Neither do they wait until they feel motivated before they start preparing for an exam.Instead, successful students rely on systems to ensure that they get the work done, even when they don’t feel like it.(Keep on reading to find out what some of these systems are.)

Review any new information you’ve learned on the same day

This daily review won’t take long to complete, but it’s a vital step that ensures you stay on top of the material.Applying this tip will also help you to move the information to your long-term memory more quickly.

Write everything down

To be an effective student, write everything down.This includes homework to be completed, test and exam dates, project deadlines, competition dates, school and family events, etc.Don’t assume that you’ll be able to remember anything; write it all down to stay organised.This tip might sound extreme, but life only gets busier as you get older. So this tip will serve you well for the rest of your life.

Create a rough weekly schedule

It’s impossible to follow a schedule down to the minute, but it’s still helpful to create a schedule.Write down your rough weekly schedule based on your recurring commitments, e.g. school, extracurricular actitivies, family and social events, religious activities.Then block out regular time each week for homework and studying.

Get rid of distractions before they become distractions

The biggest obstacle to doing well in school is distractions.To overcome distractions, you can’t depend on willpower. Few of us have the willpower necessary to fight off all the distractions that surround us in this digital era.Here are some ways to eliminate distractions before they become distractions:

• Turn off notifications on your phone/tablet
• Delete all the apps that distract you
• Put your phone/tablet in another room before you start work
• Set a really, really long password to unlock your phone/tablet
• Restrict your Internet access
• Have only one tab open in your browser at any one time
• Find an accountability partner as you make these changes

Develop good posture

Good posture improves your mood, and also enhances your memory and learning.So sit up straight, pull your shoulders back, and lift up your chin – and you’ll perform better in school.For more tips on improving your posture, check out this detailed article.

Don’t multitask

It’s a fact: There’s no such thing as multitasking.Whenever you’re multitasking, you’re actually just switching between tasks. This reduces your studying efficiency.So don’t multitask when you’re studying or doing your homework. Instead, focus on one task at a time, and you’ll find that you’ll get more done in less time.

Cultivate the belief that intelligence isn’t a fixed trait

Research has proven that students who believe that they can become smarter actually do become smarter.Belief is that powerful.In other words, intelligence is a trait that you can develop over time.Don’t ever label yourself as “dumb” or “not academically inclined”, because with the right mindset you can become more intelligent.

Work in short blocks of time

I’ve found that most students can’t maintain a high level of focus for more than 45 minutes at a go.As such, I generally recommend working in 30- to 45-minute blocks, followed by a 5- to 10-minute break.Working in shorter blocks of time is more effective for the majority of students, rather than struggling to focus for a couple of hours straight.

Exercise regularly

Regular exercise helps you to remember information better, enhances your concentration, and makes you more creative.This is in addition to the other health benefits of exercise.What does this mean for students who want to be successful in school? Make exercise a fixed part of your weekly routine. Exercise three to four times a week, for at least 20 to 30 minutes each time.

Be organised

Students who aren’t organised end up wasting precious time looking for items or notes, or doing last-minute work they forgot about.

• Set a daily reminder to check if there’s any homework due the following day
• Set reminders to start preparing for tests and exams
• Use the MyStudyLife app
• Clear your desk at the end of every day
• Use an app like Google Keep to do a “brain dump”

Break big tasks into smaller ones

Big tasks seem complicated and overwhelming, which is why many students procrastinate.Break every big task down into smaller tasks. For instance, instead of deciding to work on your history paper, you might break the task down into the following smaller tasks:When you work on the history paper, focus on completing one task at a time. This will make it less likely that you’ll procrastinate.

Get at least 8 hours of sleep every night

Students who perform well are effective learners. As the research shows, sleep is a vital part of becoming an effective learner.Sleep boosts memory and enhances learning. So go to bed at roughly the same time every day, and make it a priority to get 8 hours of sleep a night.If you do this, I’m sure you’ll see an improvement in your academic performance.

Keep track of important dates, deadlines, etc.

This is related to Tip #3, but it’s more specific.I’ve worked with many students who try to keep track of important dates by storing them in their brains.Needless to say, these students occasionally forget about upcoming tests or deadlines. This results in panic – and low-quality work too.Use Google Calendar or Google Keep (an old-fashioned planner works too) to keep track of important dates, and you’ll become a more effective student.

Take notes during class

I’m always surprised by how many students tell me that they don’t take notes in class.It’s important to take notes in class, because it helps you to pay attention and to learn the concepts better.I prefer taking notes in a linear, sequential manner. But there are several other note-taking systems that you can learn about here.Asking your friends and teachers questions about what you’re learning is a great way to stay engaged. It also ensures that you understand the new material.Don’t be afraid of asking silly questions. Besides, if you pay attention in class, your questions will likely be logical and insightful.