How to Be a Good Student

Prioritize learning. Good students know how to achieve academic success because they put learning first. While it’s important to make time for friends, family, extracurricular activities, and even to be alone, you should never take the time to study for granted. If an important exam is coming up and you’re still feeling drowsy, don’t attend the big party two days before the exam. If you haven’t kept up with your knowledge of English, you may have to skip the new episode of the fascinating series you’re watching. This doesn’t mean you can never enjoy the things you enjoy, just that you should know when to prioritize your studies. ^[1]

• However, you also cannot ignore everything going on around you just to learn. If your friend or loved one is in crisis, you can’t separate from them just to study.

On time. Make it a habit to value time and learn to be on time wherever needed. In fact, wherever you go, you should plan to arrive a little early to have time to prepare, focus and be ready to study when you arrive. Whether it’s taking a test or meeting a friend to study, being on time is always important if you want to be a good student. ^[2]

Honesty in learning. This means you have to do the work yourself, avoid plagiarism and don’t use tricks at all costs. Stealing won’t do you any good. This action can bring you trouble later on, even if it is your lifeline for a day. Cheating on exams is never worth the risk. It’s still much better if you don’t do well on your test because you’re not prepared well than being caught cheating. And even if you don’t get caught, stealing will make you think you can take “shortcuts” in life and study, which in turn will lead to a harmful habit later on.

• Don’t let your friends pressure you. In some schools, cheating is considered normal behavior, and it seems that so many students do it that you want to join in, too. This collective thinking is dangerous and can keep you from realizing your potential.

Maintain focus. Good students often focus on the task at hand. If you have to study a chapter in a history book in an hour, you have to be determined to do it instead of letting your mind wander. If you need a break, take a 10-minute break, but don’t extend it to an hour and study only for 10 minutes. You can actually train your brain to stay focused longer and longer. So even if you think you can’t concentrate for more than 15 minutes, try to do this for 20 minutes, gradually increasing it to 30 minutes, and so on. ^[3]

• However, most people shouldn’t concentrate on or do a task for more than 60 or 90 minutes. 10-15 minute breaks between work sessions can help you re-energize and re-focus.

Don’t compare yourself with anyone else. Good students succeed in their own way. They don’t care how their siblings, neighbors or friends are doing in school, because they know that the ultimate destination is their own success. If you keep thinking about what other people do, you will either feel disappointed in yourself or become too competitive to the point of clouding your mind. Learn to put others aside and focus on doing the best job you can.

• Don’t compare yourself to anyone else, because you’re putting yourself down.

Progressive progress gradually. If you want to be a good student, you shouldn’t aim to go from a “C” to a straight “A”. Instead, you should gradually move to “C+” then “B-,” and so on to control your progress and avoid disappointment. Academically successful students know how hard it is to magically improve their grades, and focus on the details instead of rushing forward and just aiming for the end result. If you want to study well, you’ll have to be content with little by little improvement.

Interested in the subject. Successful students aren’t just industrious machines working to get A’s at all costs. They really care and enjoy what they’re learning, and their passion for learning will help them progress. Of course, you can’t enjoy everything you’re learning, from photosynthesis to first-order equations, but you can try to find something that interests you in every class. This will help you focus and make the lesson more interesting.

• If you really find something that excites you in class, it’s a good idea to look outside for more on the subject for extra interest. For example, if you love the novel “The Sun Still Rises” in your curriculum, you might want to try reading another book, “The Summer Festival,” or another of Hemingway’s work.