1. Stay organized - Successful students come to class with their materials organized. It's a good idea to have different notebooks for each subject. If something isn't needed in your backpack, take it out! Second semester is a good time to get fresh supplies if needed.
2. Have an agenda - Successful students tend to plan out their assignments well in advance, especially for long-term projects. Using an agenda book or planner is a popular habit of successful students as it ensures assignments and homework aren't forgotten about. Successful students will plan out the process – research, note taking, outlines, drafts – well in advance. It's better to avoid procrastination and space out the work into smaller chunks.
3. Actively participate in class - Raise your hand, volunteer, and ask questions! Not only do teachers love students who participate, but these students also retain more information and will eventually better understand the material. Ultimately, these same students will develop a more positive outlook towards education by actively taking part in the learning process.
4. Don't be a perfectionist - Speaking of the “learning process” – highly driven students sometimes forget the second word in this phrase – process. Nobody is expected to be perfect at something their first try! Furthermore, habits of successful students include knowing when it's time for them to reach out for help, rather than frustrating themselves further.
5. Use additional study resources - Successful students know when to ask for assistance. If a concept isn't making sense, take advantage of study programs, meet with your teacher before or after school, or see your counselor about available help.
6. Get a good night's sleep - Too many students go to bed late and attend classes without getting sufficient rest. Students that get their homework done early and get a good night's sleep are going to be more alert during class time. The National Sleep Foundation recommends teenagers get 8-10 hours of sleep per night. Ensuring you're giving your brain the time it needs to recharge is another great habit.
7. Have a study space -Many students attempt their homework with several distractions around them, ranging from cell phones to TVs. This really isn't ideal, and successful students complete their homework in a quiet area free from distractions. We recommend students find a dedicated area for homework to help remain focused.
8. Do all your assignments - Successful students know that skipping assignments leads to lower grades and impairs their understanding of the course material. Even an ungraded assignment has purpose and learning opportunities. Make pledge to be “zero-free” this semester.
9. Use technology to your advantage - Students have access to the internet, an incredible resource that puts a vast amount of information at our fingertips. Students have access to a wealth of information online, including practice problems, instructional videos, and years of published texts. Through Google Classroom, students can access class assignments and resources, and Powerschool offers access to see students’ grades.
Adapted from:https://www.tutordoctor.com/blog/2019/february/10-habits-of-successful-students/