Pay attention! These 10 habits may be holding you back from achieving academic success

Nathanael Emmons, an American Congregational minister and influential theologian of the New Divinity School once said, ‘Habit is either the best of servants or the worst of masters.’

What he may have implied by this saying is how habits can have a significant impact on our lives depending on how we approach them. On one hand, if we have positive habits and routines, they can serve us well, acting as loyal and reliable servants. These can contribute to our personal growth, productivity, and well-being. They may even become beneficial forces that assist us in achieving our goals and living a fulfilling life.

On the other hand, if we develop negative or destructive habits, they can easily take control over us and become our masters. These harmful habits can dominate our actions, thoughts, and choices, leading us down a path of self-destruction, stagnation, or unhappiness. They have the power to dictate our behaviors and limit our potential.

So, depending on the nature of our habits and how we manage them, they can either serve us well and enhance our lives or become overpowering forces that hinder our progress and well-being. The quote by him serves as a reminder to be mindful of our habits and strive to cultivate positive ones while avoiding detrimental ones.

Let’s look at some common habits that may hinder students from achieving academic success. Read on and raise concern if you see yourself engaging with them.

1. Procrastination: Putting off tasks and assignments until the last minute can lead to poor time management, increased stress, and subpar work quality.

2. Lack of organisation: Dis-organised study materials, messy notes, and an untidy study space can make it difficult to find necessary information and create a productive learning environment.

3. Inadequate time management: Poorly managing time can result in not allocating enough time for studying, leading to cramming or insufficient preparation for exams and assignments.

4. Distractions: Engaging in excessive use of social media, video games, or other distractions during study time can disrupt concentration and hinder effective learning.

5. Neglecting self-care: Ignoring physical and mental well-being by not getting enough sleep, skipping meals, or not engaging in exercise can negatively impact cognitive abilities and overall academic performance.

6. Lack of goal setting: Failing to set clear academic goals and objectives can lead to a lack of direction and motivation, making it challenging to stay focused and driven.

7. Poor note-taking: Inefficient note-taking methods or neglecting to take comprehensive and organised notes during classes can make it difficult to review and retain important information.

8. Limited study techniques: Relying solely on one study method, such as passive reading, without exploring active learning techniques like summarising, flashcards, or practice questions can limit retention and understanding.

9. Avoiding seeking help: Refusing to ask for assistance or clarification when faced with academic challenges can hinder progress and prevent the resolution of misunderstandings or gaps in knowledge.

10. Proximity to distractions: Studying in environments with frequent noise, interruptions, or temptations can impede concentration and focus.

Here’s how to correct such habits:  

Set priorities: Identify the most important and urgent assignments or studying and allocate their time.

Participate in class: Being part of classroom discussions, asking questions can significantly enhance understanding and retention.

Build a supportive study routine: Establishing a consistent schedule can create a sense of structure and discipline. So, adhere to it, improve productivity and reduce procrastination.

Break tasks into manageable chunks: Large projects or assignments can be surely overwhelming. Therefore, breaking them down into smaller, manageable tasks and setting achievable milestones can make the workload feel more approachable.

Balance academic and non-academic commitments: Striking a balance between academic responsibilities and extracurricular activities, hobbies, and personal time is crucial. Remember, overloading yourself with excessive commitments can lead to burnout and hinder overall academic performance.

Embrace a growth mindset: View challenges as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles. Believe in your ability to learn and improve through effort and perseverance.

Seek feedback and reflection: Talk to your teachers or peers as it can provide valuable insights for improvement. You will be able to identify strengths and areas for growth and foster continuous learning.

As per Ms Ravina Nimbolkar, PGT Psychology and School Counsellor at Apeejay School, Kharghar in Navi Mumbai, “Often, we overestimate our ability to memorise. But the truth is, the capacity of short term memory is only about 7 items while the duration it lasts is a mere 15 to 30 seconds! For it to be converted into long term memory we need to practice elaborative reversals. This simply means inculcating strategies like mnemonics, mind maps, multiple sensory cues like images, sounds textures as well as understanding concepts by integrating it with other memories. Therefore, I would encourage students to always write running notes, use colours, diagrams to not only remember but also understand the concept they study for a deeper level of application.”

Further, the expert opines that mentally revising everything you have learnt without looking into the textbook, trying to analyse the topics you keep forgetting and adding more cues for it, will help. “Partner up with other students and teach each other what you have learnt. Learning is a very active process, it will never be automatic,” she says.  

Finally, sharing her advice for students, Ms Anita Yadav, Principal at Apeejay School, Faridabad Sector-15 says, “Though it’s never too late to change or cultivate a habit and improve your health, life in the process, good habits acquired in early build a strong foundation for a wholesome living. So, begin by taking a small step to change a bad habit which is deeply entrenched in you. You will soon realise you have conquered your mountain.”

Start on it to reach your full potential, today! This comprehensive guide is to address habits that hinder success, ultimately enabling young minds to optimise their learning journey.