MIE Connect

Student life presents you with different academic challenges that you need to overcome. If you are not serious from the start, you will soon find yourself on a difficult path. While most students will face this situation, you can plan to avoid it.

The "plan" includes good habits for students that are future-orientated, personal, social, and academic. Today, we will explore many behaviours that students can start developing to set themselves up for future success.

Academic habits

First, we will focus on cultivating positive academic habits, including time management, study habits, and the importance of homework completion.

Time management

Handling ͏multiple responsibilities requires ͏effective time management skills͏. After mastering it, you will be able to perform studying, extracurricular ͏activities, and personal commitments. Adopting this skill helps students ͏prioritise tasks, reduce procrastination,͏ and͏ maintain a balanced lifestyle.

Time management techniques:

Create a schedule: Utilise planners or digital calendars to outline daily and weekly tasks. Assign specific time blocks for study sessions, homework, and breaks.
Prioritise tasks: Identify the most urgent and important tasks and tackle them first. By doing this, you can avoid becoming overwhelmed by other less important activities.

Study habits

Your academic success strongly depends on your daily study habits. Effective study habits ensure that you can retain information better, perform well on exams, and provide breathing space between long-term study periods.

Techniques for study habits:

Active listening: Do your best to engage fully during lectures by taking notes and asking questions. It reinforces your learning and ability to process information more easily.
Note-taking strategies: There are many note-taking strategies, but you must choose the one that suits you best. To make revision easier, organise your notes in mind mapping or bullet point format.
Effective reading techniques: textbooks and class lectures can sometimes be challenging to comprehend. Try to include summarised information in your own words, as well as relevant questions about the topic. This type of active reading technique will enhance comprehension and retention.

Homework completions

Never wait around when there is homework. Completing homework and submitting it at the right time exhibits your discipline and develops a sense of responsibility. Plus, homework helps students stay on track and better prepared for exams.

Techniques for homework:

Set a routine: Fix a specific time and quiet space each day for homework. Keep it consistent throughout your academic career.
Break tasks into smaller steps: Divide your homework into smaller, manageable sections to make it less daunting and more achievable.
Reward yourself: Formulate a reward system for completing a task on time to stay motivated.

Personal habits

Personal habits connect to daily life, unlike study habits that revolve around the academic system. Maintaining good personal habits strengthens one's health, both bodily and mentally.

Healthy lifestyle

Needless to say͏, maintaining a healthy ͏lifestyle͏ ͏plays ͏a significant͏ role in your body and͏ mental ͏well-being.͏ Good ͏health ͏habits contribute to better academic performance͏ and overall happiness.

Techniques for living a healthy life:

Balanced diet: We know it is͏ difficult to follow͏ a balanced diet when you are͏ young. But look at͏ the positive! A nutritious diet is sufficient to provide the energy needed for peak͏ brain function and concentration. Make it normal to consume fruits, vegetables, ͏lean proteins, and whole grains daily. ͏See? It's not that hard͏!͏
Regular exercise: Most universities provide enough opportunities to engage in physical activities. Try to participate in sports events as much as possible. Physical activities will boost your mood, enhance concentration, and reduce stress. A moderate 30 minutes of exercise is sufficient for a daily routine.
Sufficient sleep: Students pay little attention to this area, but they should. Adequate sleep is fundamental for memory consolidation and cognitive function. Any average person, let alone a student, should aim for 8–10 hours of sleep per night to ensure they are well rested.

Stress management

Dealing with academic pressure can lead to stress, which can affect your academic performance over time. Therefore, it is vital to learn how to manage stress during your student life. There are some universal techniques you can follow to keep a tab on your stress level.

Stress management techniques:

Identifying stress triggers: First, recognise the activities or situations that make you stressed. Being aware of these triggers allows you to control the condition.
Relaxation techniques: When you are aware of the triggers, use practices like deep breathing, meditation, and mindfulness to reduce stress. These simple practices can help calm your mind and improve focus.

Positive mindset

Try to keep a distance from negative people and environments by surrounding yourself with people with positive mindsets. Having a positive attitude is immensely beneficial, as it will help you overcome challenges and stay motivated. So, is there any way to incorporate this good habit?

Techniques of positive mindset:

Practice gratitude: Create a gratitude ͏journal to͏ focus on positive aspects of your life. Going through it from ͏time to time may help ͏to reduce feelings of negativity and stress.
Overcoming negative thoughts: ͏Encourage yourself͏ to ͏talk positively and challenge negative thoughts. Replacing self-doubt with affirmations͏ ͏can boost your confidence and resilience.
Goal setting and ͏visualisation: Setting clear, ͏achievable͏ goals and visualising success ͏can help ͏you maintain motivation and direction. This single practice can foster a sense of purpose and ͏accomplishment. ͏

Social habits

Student life is a blend of academic and social life. Both are equally important in shaping you into a capable human being. Building up positive social habits will help you discover your hidden talents and excel in extracurricular activities. Now, we will discuss some practical tips on how to develop them.

Effective communication

Students with strong communication skills have a natural advantage. This skill is essential for building connections and working effectively with others. If you are an introvert or need to gain this skill set, try your best to learn the techniques of effective communication.

Effective communication techniques:

Active listening: Listening to others truly fosters mutual respect and understanding. It involves being present in the conversation and responding thoughtfully.
Assertiveness: Expressing thoughts and feelings confidently and respectfully is beneficial for personal and professional interactions. It helps in advocating for oneself while considering others' perspectives.
Conflict resolution skills: Learning to navigate conflicts calmly and constructively is an essential life skill. Techniques such as finding common ground and focusing on resolving problems can lead to positive outcomes.

Building relationships

During your academic journey, you'll have the opportunity to form close͏ bonds with classmates, ͏teachers, and neighbours. Building strong relationships with these individuals,͏ as well as anyone else you interact with, is crucial for ͏your personal development and emotional well-being. Embrace these relationships, as they can lead to lifelong friendships and valuable͏ networks that will benefit you͏ long after your studies are completed.

Techniques for forming relationships:

Empathy and understanding: Demonstrating empathy fosters deeper connections with ͏others. Understanding different perspectives͏ and showing compassion strengthens ͏relationships.
Teamwork: Working well͏ in groups is a valuable skill both in ͏school and in future careers. It involves collaboration͏, communication, and͏ compromise.
Respect for others: Cultivating respect͏ for different opinions and backgrounds enriches interactions and promotes a positive environment.

Digital citizenship

In͏ today's digital age, being a responsible digital citizen is͏ a must-have trait. The online revolution has brought the world to your fingertips and, with that, increased your responsibilities.

Techniques for digital citizenship:

Responsible use of technology: Students should use technology to enhance learning and social interaction without harming themselves or others.
Online safety and privacy: For all students,͏ understanding the importance of͏ protecting personal information online and ͏recognising safe online ͏practices are essential skills.

Future-orientated habits

Take every step in your academic life with its future implications. You will soon discover yourself staying ahead of the competition. Plus, when you are up to date with current affairs, you are already making your career prospects brighter every day.

Lifelong learning

Fostering a desire for learning beyond the classroom prepares students for a rapidly changing world. You would be surprised to know how many students find their genuine aspiration in investing their time in hobbies during their academic life.

Techniques for lifelong learning:

Curiosity and a thirst for knowledge: Encouraging curiosity and an eagerness to explore various subjects helps in continuous personal growth and adaptability.
Exploring various interests: Students should be encouraged to explore a range of interests and hobbies. This broadens their perspectives and skills, making them more well-rounded individuals.

Financial literacy

Understanding basic financial principles is crucial for future independence and success. Being accustomed to financial matters also helps international students studying abroad a lot.

Techniques for financial literacy:

Budgeting and saving: Learning to manage money effectively through budgeting and saving is an important life skill. It helps students plan for the future and avoid unnecessary debt.
Understanding debt and credit: Knowledge about credit, loans, and debt management prepares students for responsible financial behaviour in adulthood.

Career preparation

Preparing for a future career should start early. To make the process futureproof, emphasise skill development and exploration.

Techniques for career preparation:

Researching career options: Students should explore different career paths and understand the education and skills required for each.
Developing relevant skills: Identifying and developing skills relevant to desired career paths is crucial. Technical skills like problem-solving and soft skills like communication can help you in this.
Networking: Build a network of contacts that can provide valuable opportunities for mentorship, internships, and future job placements.

Final thoughts

There is no question about the impacts of positive attitudes in our lives. Good habits for students in that light can work like magic to solve academic stress. Starting today, you have the͏ power to shape your future positively by embracing these habits.

Now that you have learnt about good habits for students, why not get some essential advice for students to be successful? If you are ready to pursue your academic journey, stay connected with us for more insightful knowledge on education.

Additional considerations:

For further exploration, consider the following resources:

Books: Atomic Habits by James Clear, The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do, and How to Change by Charles Duhigg.
Websites: Check out Verywell Mind for stress management techniques.
Organisations: Join local student organisations or online communities focusing on personal development and academic excellence.

Good Habits for Students to Cultivate Now - Building a Brighter Future