6 Ways to Be a Better Student

Becoming a good student might be overrated, but it’s definitely powerful. Academic success is highly discussed everywhere you go, so good grades and a good student attitude can bring your serious benefits.

You don’t have to go crazy to become a better student.

All you need to do is become interested.

As long as you got that covered, good things will follow.

Here are some of the things I wish I knew when I was younger, and how I think they would’ve helped me succeed later in life.

1. Finding a mentor and asking relevant questions

Finding someone who knows more than you is always a good idea; that’s because you can actually improve by hanging out with someone else. Maybe you have no idea what to do with your life post-graduation, or maybe you simply want advice that sticks. Whichever that is, finding a mentor will help you become more knowledgeable and connected to what you’re interested in doing. And if you really don’t know what you want to do, you can always ask for advice.

By finding a mentor, you are making a real connection between schoolwork and your future career. You now understand that school is more than just grades – there is something valuable that can come out of it. Knowledge is power, so connecting the classroom with real-life is essential.

But this is just one way to become a better student. Let’s look at the next ones.

2. Being well-organized and ready to go

Part of being a successful student is being prepared all the time. So, stay well-organized, literally and…. non-literally. Ensure that your desktop is organized at all times, and not messy at all. This is the only way in which you’ll be able to complete your tasks efficiently. Your focus must be on the work at hand, not on the mess around it. Keep your desk clean and your room tidy. Have a well-designed schedule of your deadlines and classwork. Make sure you know what you have to do, and by when you have to do it.

Also, have a detailed schedule of your classes on your desk. Skipping class is bad for you and your grades, but skipping class unintentionally is simply… dumb. Display each one of your classes’ syllabus on your wall or in plain sight to be sure you don’t miss anything important. Your work must be impeccable if you truly want to become a successful student.

3. Avoiding comparisons

Forget about competition. School can get competitive indeed, but it doesn’t really have to. You can be a good student and have friends or exchange ideas. Always comparing yourself to other people won’t result in anything productive. You’ll always have this question in the back of your head, ‘Am I good enough?’ and you’ll never really value yourself rightfully. You need to stop the comparisons and just move forward. Move forward with whichever it is that you’re doing in school, without caring what others might say or how it ‘might look.’

Instead of comparison, use compassion. Develop a positive attitude towards others and ask them if they need any help. You can be a good classmate and keep good grades, don’t worry about it. In the end, these things might return – you might be in need of help one day, and they might be able to offer you a hand.

4. Setting goals, following up on them, and writing your personal-statement

The next important thing is setting up S.M.A.R.T. goals. Your goals should be sustainable, measurable, assertive, realistic, and time-bound. In order to do that, you must first ask yourself WHY. WHY do you need to set goals? What do you get out of it?

For starters, answering these questions will give you a purpose. And second, you will finally have something to look forward to. You will know where you are heading, and why you are heading that way. And you’ll be excited about it. If you’ve decided that one of your goals is attending college, you should be getting started on writing your personal essay application. Consult with any personal statement writing service to find out more about your application process. Don’t hesitate to ask for help. It is absolutely normal to be confused about the personal-statement part as a future college student.

5. Getting involved on campus more

The next thing is getting involved in campus more than you have until now. You should create a life outside of the academic realm and live it purposefully. Getting involved in extracurricular activities will broaden your perspective and turn you into a more well-rounded person. It will also help you create more friends and become better at socializing (which is a skill you should have later in life anyway).

6. Showing up no matter what

Last but not least, showing up is crucial. I know you might be tempted to miss class every now and then but trust me, that won’t help you in any way. You want to be there no matter what. Attending classes will help you get the whole perspective on any topic and develop a better understanding of the subject. This way, you won’t have to spend hours doing homework. You will be prepared for the next class in no time.

Wrapping Up

Again – being a better student isn’t about school. It’s about the relationship you’ve developed with yourself, and how willing you are to make it even better. Good luck on that. You’ve got this!

Author Bio:

Michael Turner is a professional blogger and journalist. He works part-time as a content writer coordinator, helping students succeed academically. Michael likes to swim and works on a new novel of his own.