11 Tips On How To Be A Better Student
Sep 17, 2024
YouLearn Team
Students face challenges throughout their academic journey, from adjusting to different courses and teaching styles to managing their time effectively. If you've ever felt overwhelmed, you're not alone. The good news? You can take steps to improve your skills and approach to learning. This guide will share actionable insights about how to be a better student. You’ll learn how personalized learning powered by artificial intelligence (AI) can help you tackle your academic challenges and achieve your goals.
YouLearn’s personal AI tutor is a valuable tool to help you achieve your objectives, such as accessing personalized learning through AI. With this solution, you’ll get customized support to gain confidence and get excited about your studies.
Table of Contents
What Are 10 Good Habits For Students?
1. Get Organized: How to Develop a Plan for Success
Making a plan for what you will do and when you will do it will ensure that you're always ahead of the curve.
2. Don't Multitask: Why You Should Focus on One Thing at a Time
Studies have shown that multitasking is physically impossible.
3. Divide It Up: Why You Should Break Your Work Into Manageable Chunks
Studying isn't fun, and forcing yourself through a study marathon will only make it worse. Dividing your work into manageable chunks and rewarding yourself when you finish each chunk will make studying (more) fun.
4. Sleep: The Importance of Getting Your Zzz's
Remember to underestimate the importance of those eight hours of zzz's every night! A good night's rest will sharpen your focus and improve your working memory.
5. Set a Schedule: Find Your Productive Study Time
Do you work better right after school or after you've eaten dinner? Are you more productive in 90-minute blocks or half-hour spurts? Find a schedule that works for you, and stick to it.
6. Take Notes: Staying Engaged in Class and Narrowing Your Focus for Studying
Taking notes will not only keep you more engaged during class but will also help you narrow down what you need to study when exam time rolls around. It's much easier to reread your notes than to reread my entire textbook!
7. Study: Learning How to Study Effectively
This one might be obvious, but did you know that there's a right and a wrong way to study? Review your material several days ahead of time, in small chunks, and in different manners (for example, write flashcards one day and take practice tests the next). In other words, don't cram.
8. Manage Your Study Space: Creating a Productive Environment
Find a place that will maximize your productivity. Look for places away from the television and other distractions. Whether it's your local library or just the desk in your bedroom, set aside a study space that you'll want to spend time in.
9. Find a Study Group: Collaboration Is Key
Sitting down with a group of people who are learning the same things as you is a great way to go over confusing class material or prepare for a big test. You can quiz each other, reteach material, and make sure that everyone is on the same page. After all, teaching someone else is the best way to learn.
10. Ask Questions: The Importance of Seeking Help When You Need It
You're in school to learn, so don't be afraid to do just that! Asking for help - from a teacher, a tutor, or your friends - is a surefire way to make sure you truly understand the material.
10 Skills Every Students Must Have
1. Adaptive Thinking: The Skill for the Unknown
Today’s economy changes at lightning speed. Students must learn to adapt to these changes and develop a mindset for the unknown. This means being able to think critically and creatively and use both these skills to tackle new challenges as they arise.
2. Communication Skills: More Than Just Talking
Students must be taught how to communicate effectively, both in person and digitally. There are many ways to communicate today, and each comes with its own set of rules and expectations. Future employees will need to be able to adapt their communication styles to suit different audiences and situations to be successful.
3. Collaboration Skills: Learning to Work in a Team
Future employees will need to quickly adapt to a culture of collaboration. They will need to collaborate with others within and outside of the organization, often using a number of new technologies. Classrooms must foster a culture of collaboration to better prepare students for the future.
4. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills: The New Basics
In a rapidly changing world, employers need employees who can solve problems, provide ideas and help improve the organization. There is a decreased emphasis on employers following directions and an increased emphasis on employers thinking critically and solving problems.
5. Personal Management: The Ability to Self-Direct
This includes the ability for employers to independently plan, organize, create and execute, rather than wait for someone to do this for them.
6. Inquiry Skills: Learning to Ask the Right Questions
The large majority of academic assessments ask students for answers. Rarely do we assess students on how well they can ask questions. However, the ability to ask great questions is a critical skill desperately needed in a culture that requires constant innovations.
7. Technology Skills: Digital Literacy
Almost every business that I talked to said that employers will need to be skilled at using technology. In the digital age, technology is everywhere. Schools, however, have been slow to adapt to this change. Rarely are students required or taught to learn technology efficiently. This needs to be emphasized.
8. Creativity and Innovation: Out of the Box Thinking
This skill is mentioned often. I believe that it correlates with the ability to ask good questions and the ability to problem-solve. Employers will be looking to employees more and more for creative and innovative solutions to issues that exist.
9. Soft Skills: The Disappearing Basics
Schools rarely spend time teaching students soft skills, including skills such as time management skills, organizational skills, the ability to look someone in the eyes when talking to them, or using a firm handshake. I have heard a number of times, by different business leaders, that these skills seem to be disappearing.
10. Empathy and Perspective: Understanding Others
Although this skill has always been important, it seems to be another one that is slowly disappearing. The ability for our students to put themselves in someone else’s shoes, to understand their feelings, and to help solve their problems.
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Whether you're a college student or self-learner, we help you grasp material faster and more effectively. Just upload your content, and our AI transforms it into an interactive learning experience. With YouLearn, you're set to learn smarter, not harder. Learn anything with ease for free today with YouLearn's personal AI tutor.
Related Reading
• How to Be a Good Student
• Back to School Tips
• How to Pass a Test
11 Tips On How To Be A Better Student
1. Use YouLearn AI to Boost Your Learning
YouLearn AI is like having a personal tutor to help you get smarter, fast. YouLearn’s artificial intelligence helps students learn more efficiently from YouTube videos, PDFs, slides, and more. Simply upload your content, and our AI will transform it into an interactive learning experience. You’ll be able to chat with the AI about what you’re learning, get quick summaries, and break the material into digestible chapters. With YouLearn, you’re set to learn smarter, not harder.
2. Set Short-Term and Long-Term Goals
Goals are an excellent way to track your success as a student. Without them in sight, it’s easy to lose motivation and fall behind in your courses. Both short- and long-term goals can help you aim for something and achieve it. For instance, maybe you want to achieve a good grade in your math or English course. Whatever your goal is, be sure to write them down, and be specific.
For example, I want to earn at least a B in my Calculus course. Make sure your goals are realistic and measurable! While you should challenge yourself, you shouldn’t set yourself up for failure, either. Remember, you can always set higher goals once you’ve achieved your first set. Here’s an important part: Place your written goals in a place you look at or pass by often. Consider them your mantra.
3. Create a Study Schedule and Stick to It
Scheduling is essential to maintaining a healthy learning balance and keeping up with rigorous courses. Create a study schedule and stick to it.
4. Know When to Ask for Help.
If you’re awake and alert, you’re certainly more likely to absorb information given in class, during study sessions and in class activities and participation. Think of it as an equation: awake + alertness A’s. In addition to attending class, there are a variety of resources available to aid students in thriving and achieving in class.
There are many free resources in college and high school that students are unaware of, and we’re not just talking about the library. These free student services could include, career centers, tutoring, editing or paper review, and even mental health counseling services at some schools. School resources are abundant and students who take advantage of such resources are much more likely to succeed.
5. Attend Class
This should be common sense – if students go to class, they will likely become more successful in the course. Obviously, the course material is presented during class periods and students that are paying attention tend to learn while in class and, thus, are more likely to perform well on exams.
6. Embrace Self-Care Routines and Stay Active
Self-care is beginning to become a social norm for students. With many celebrities focusing on the importance of mental health awareness, more Millennial and GenZ students are comfortable looking within to beat stress before it becomes too much. Rare Beauty’s Mental Health 101 Campaign adds, “7 out of 10 Gen Zers were most likely to report experiencing common symptoms of depression.
It’s important to have the ability to notice when you’ve overcommitted or just need a break to take care of yourself. Make self-priority a focus...even as a student. Create a life outside of academics, like participation in extracurricular activities, such as intramural sports or college clubs. Extracurricular activities increase a student’s overall college experience, contribute to the learning process, and exercise can help you feel happier.
7. Create Healthy Study Habits
Your study techniques for proper exam preparation need to be healthy ones. Study techniques considered “healthy” include balance, time-management and avoiding all-night study “cram” sessions. Information is certainly easier to absorb when reviewed in increments, rather than procrastinating until the last minute. Try a new study strategy for finals week!
8. Take Good Notes and Review Them Later
Listening and taking notes actively during class not only ensures the recording of accurate information, but also reinforces the information through recording the information as you take it in. It's helpful to go over your note after class and either rewrite them or outline the key information while it's still fresh in your mind. You'll find it's easier to understand your notes and retain information, come exam time.
9. Find Your Tribe
Collaborating with other students is a great way to learn - if you're sure to choose students who you'll stay on task with. Try finding various students in your class, rather than friends you already have. It can expand your social group and you're more likely to stay focused on the schoolwork.
Students who form study groups with one another can often learn more through learning by teaching. When students explain concepts to one another, they can learn and absorb the information more easily. Try an element of fun to find your tribe; consider using your zodiac sign to better understand your strengths and weaknesses as a student.
10. Take on a Manageable Course Load
When taking on a well-balanced course load, students are more likely to succeed because of realistic expectations in the workload that can be handled successfully. Talk with your high school counselor or college academic adviser to know what the hardest classes are. Use your school's guidance to help you plan the best schedule. Don’t create a semester schedule full of the hardest classes! You’ll experience burn out.
11. Participate in Class and Communicate with Your Teacher or Instructor
Going to class is one thing but paying attention and participating in class is another. If you listen to the lessons, questions are likely to arise. If they come up in class, ask! If you’re too shy in a large class, wait and ask the professor after class or during office hours. It’s important to know, however, that if you’ve got a question, it’s likely that other students have the same question as well. Whatever you do, DO NOT wait until it comes time to study for the exam!
Mistakes To Avoid As A Student
1. Procrastination: Don’t Fall Into This Common Trap
Procrastination is an easy trap to fall into as a student, especially in your first year of college. I get it: you'd much rather scroll through social media or binge-watch your favorite show than tackle that boring assignment. But putting off studying and assignments until the last minute can seriously hurt your academic performance and cause a ton of unnecessary stress.
The more you procrastinate, the more stressed you will feel as the deadline approaches. Instead of giving in to the urge to procrastinate, try taking a short break to recharge your batteries. Just make sure you don't let that break turn into an all-day Netflix binge! Remember, time waits for no one. But that doesn't mean you have to let it control you. By developing good study habits, like creating a schedule and breaking tasks into manageable chunks, you can take control of your time and achieve success.
2. Underestimating University Coursework: Prepare for the Academic Shift
Transitioning from high school to university can be a challenge, especially when it comes to coursework. As a college freshman, you must be prepared for the increase in academic difficulty and the amount of work involved. The trick is to adapt your study habits to handle the demands of university-level coursework. This can mean taking a closer look at course outlines, setting aside study time, and reaching out to lecturers for guidance when needed.
It's important to actively engage with the course material to excel. This can involve taking detailed notes, asking questions, and participating in class discussions. Trying different study techniques, like making flashcards or summarizing key points, can also be useful. Another great way to reinforce your understanding is to explain the material to others. By implementing these strategies, you can make the transition to university-level coursework smoother and avoid feeling overwhelmed or burned out.
3. Ignoring Overall Health: Mental and Physical Wellness Count
If you want to make the most of your university experience, it's crucial to balance your studies with taking care of yourself. Neglecting self-care can really impact your academic performance and overall happiness. Hence, make sure you carve out time for exercise, indulge in a healthy and balanced diet, and get plenty of rest.
Remember, taking care of yourself is as important as hitting the books. So, make sure you're doing things that make you feel good and keep your mind and body healthy. That way, you'll be in the best possible position to achieve academic success!
4. Skipping Classes: Get to Know Your Professors and Peers
One important thing to remember is to attend your classes regularly. By being present, you will have the opportunity to participate in class discussions, ask questions, and connect with your classmates. Skipping classes could result in missing crucial information, impacting your educational experience.
5. Not Setting Academic Goals: Stay Organized
Another key aspect of academic success is setting realistic goals for yourself. Consider your strengths and weaknesses, and create a study plan to manage your time effectively. You might find it helpful to use tools like planners or digital apps to keep track of your assignments, exams, and project deadlines. You'll be better equipped to stay organized by staying on top of your game.
6. Not Getting Involved: Expand Your Network
Getting involved in clubs and activities is important if you want to make the most of your time there. Find clubs and activities that match your interests, and you can make connections and enhance your experience. I know academic success is a top priority, but extracurricular activities are just as essential. You can join clubs, sports teams, cultural organizations, or student government to meet like-minded people and develop leadership skills.
Plus, these activities can give you a much-needed break from studying! It's also crucial to build relationships with your professors and peers. You can attend office hours to ask questions, discuss course material, and seek guidance. Additionally, interacting with your classmates in study groups or social activities can create a supportive network to help you learn even better. Connecting with your peers allows you to share knowledge, collaborate on projects, and learn from different perspectives.
7. Overcommitting: Find a Healthy Balance
Planning out your activities can be a great way to minimize stress and maintain a healthy balance. Once you're in university, time management becomes even more important. To ensure you stay on top of everything, try creating a weekly schedule that includes your classes, study time, and extracurricular activities.
And remember to schedule some personal relaxation time, too! When planning your schedule, it's best to focus on a few activities you're passionate about that will help you achieve your goals. This will help you prioritize your tasks based on importance and deadlines to avoid any last-minute stress.
8. Mismanaging Finances: Create a Budget
Starting college as a freshman can be a bit overwhelming, especially when it comes to managing your finances. It's important to know that poor spending habits can cause financial stress and affect your well-being. To prevent this, it's a good idea to create a detailed budget that covers all your expenses, keep track of your spending, and seek advice when needed. With a little self-discipline and planning, you can take control of your finances and set yourself up for success in the future.
9. Not Seeking Help When Needed: Utilize Available Resources
When you're in university, you don't have to go it alone. There are support services available for students, like academic advising and counseling centers, that can be super helpful when you need them. Whether you're having trouble with schoolwork, feeling down, or dealing with personal issues, it's never a bad idea to seek help sooner rather than later. Ignoring these things can often worsen them, and that's the last thing you want! So, don't hesitate to reach out to your professors, advisors, or counselors if you need assistance. Asking for help is a brave thing to do, and it shows that you care about yourself and your future.
10. Skipping Networking Opportunities: Expand Your Circle
Connecting with your professors, peers, and industry experts is super important to succeed in university. Creating a strong network can open many doors for you, like internships, job offers, and partnerships. One of the best ways to expand your network is by attending events, seminars, and workshops. These gatherings allow you to meet new people, learn new things, and keep up with the latest trends in your field. To make the most of these opportunities, be sure to engage in conversation, ask questions, and exchange contact information. By networking actively, you can create valuable connections that could be useful down the road.
11. Not Exploring Courses: Challenge Yourself
Throughout your first semester of college, you can broaden your horizons and delve into various subjects that pique your interest. Even if these courses are not directly related to your major, they can provide valuable insights and inspire new passions you have never considered. To make the most of your academic pursuits, it's worth looking into which subjects are currently in high demand in the workforce.
For instance, several focus areas could benefit your future career prospects if you are studying English education. These include enhancing your teaching methods and strategies, understanding student psychology and behavior, and becoming familiar with different types of English exams such as IELTS, TOEFL, MUET, IGCSE, and more. By honing these skills and knowledge, you can stand out to potential employers and demonstrate your commitment to excellence in your chosen field.
How To Get Good Grades As A Student
1. Accelerate Your Learning With YouLearnAI
YouLearnAI is here to help you tackle your academic challenges head on. This personal AI tutor can help you learn faster and more effectively with interactive learning tools. YouLearnAI specializes in breaking down information from YouTube videos, PDFs, and slides to help you grasp difficult school material. To use YouLearnAI, simply upload your class content, and our AI will transform it into an easy-to-understand and interactive learning experience. With YouLearnAI, you're on your way to learning smarter, not harder.
2. Motivate Yourself To Improve Your Grades
If you are not satisfied with your grades, do not get down on yourself. Instead, try self-motivation. Believe in yourself and encourage yourself to stay focused on your work. Pick a goal or series of goals, and use that as your motivation.
3. Listen and Participate in Class
It may be hard, especially if you have a shy personality, but participation will show your teacher that you do really care about their subject and want better grades. Teachers typically base the grades on various factors, and participation is one of them. If you are shy, for more confidence you can write down the questions before the class and then ask them. Another trick is to have a seat closer to the teacher, so they can get to know you even more.
4. Take Thorough Notes During Class
Taking good notes during class will ensure that you do not miss any important information. Note-taking is an important academic skill that can translate to better grades in college as well.
5. Do Not Hesitate to Ask for Help
If you are experiencing problems with certain subjects, you can always ask your teacher or peers for help after class. Another option is to ask your parents if they can afford a private tutor for you.
6. Stay Focused During Homework
Find a quiet working place to handle your homework in a distraction-free environment. Put your phone aside or at least mute all notification sounds so you are not distracted. You can also use apps that lock a phone for a certain time period.
7. Take Study Breaks
Studying can be monotonous. Take a 15-minute break after each 45 minutes of studying to help you focus. During your break, walk around your house, get some fresh air, think of how to get better grades, or get a snack to fuel your brain. You can also reward yourself for each 45 minutes of productive work by doing something that you enjoy.
8. Consider Studying Together With Your Fellow Students
Group studying can help the members of the group motivate each other and be more productive. If such a style of studying suits you, then you can organize such groups or become a member of a group that already exists. You can get together for studying after classes or on weekends.
9. Keep Your Working Space Organized
Use one notebook per class and do not let your desk become cluttered with papers and stationery. Try to clean up your desk regularly. This helps tremendously with limiting distractions.
10. Use a Planner to Organize Your Time
It can be either a paper planner or a mobile app. However, we recommend that you use a paper agenda book so that your phone does not distract you. Write down all important due dates, dates of tests, and extracurricular activities.
11. Develop a Study Schedule
If you are preparing for a test or writing a research paper, it would be wise to break down your work into small chunks and allot work to a specific time period. To avoid stress, do not procrastinate and wait until the last night before the test.
12. Take Care of Your Health
Make sure that your meals are nutritious, balanced, and varied, because your brain needs fuel in order to be productive. Never miss breakfast before school.
Related Reading
• Tips for School
• How to Do Good in School
• Study Strategies for High School Students
• Best Study Method
• College Study Tips
• Active Study Methods
Learn Anything With Ease for Free Today with YouLearn's Personal AI Tutor
YouLearn is a personal AI tutor designed to help students learn faster and more effectively. This powerful tool helps you supercharge your learning from YouTube videos, PDFs, and slides. You simply upload your content, and the AI transforms it into an interactive learning experience.
It gets smarter as you use it, creating a more personalized experience along the way. For example, YouLearn's AI chats with you about the content, provides quick summaries, and breaks information into digestible chapters. Whether you're a college student or self-learner, YouLearn helps you grasp material faster and more effectively.
With YouLearn, you're set to learn smarter, not harder.
Related Reading
• High School Tips
• High School Study Skills
• How to Pass School
• How to Study Better in College
• How to Study by Yourself
