7 Habits Of Highly Effective Students

Most parents want their children to be good students. What makes a good student? Why are some students better than others? What can we do to make our children better students?  As an educator and success coach working with students I get asked these questions by parents all the time. My answers and advice have to do with organization and study habits.  

The “best” or most effective students I see simply have better habits. There’s really no mystery or magic formula to being a better student. Better students seem to put more effort into their study habits. What do we mean by study habits and how can our children put more effort into them? These are the important questions parents need to ask.  

After working with all types and ages of students for many years here are what I believe are the 7 habits students need to master to be highly effective.

• Organization – Simply put students need to be more organized. Parents should supply them with the tools students need to be organized. Folders, binders with dividers and pockets, notepads, calendars, pens, pencils, a book bag. These are all tools that students should have to help them do their job. 
• Study space – Students need a really good study space. They need to have a well lighted space with room to spread their books and papers out. They need a comfortable chair. They need to be in an area free from distractions. The kitchen table is not an ideal study space for most students. There are distractions, noises, people talking and walking by. Students need a quiet space to do their work.
• Time management – Students need to be able to organize and manage their time. Assignments should always be entered into their calendar. Sometimes students are given assignments for the same day, but this is not always the case. Students may have longer term assignments that are due in a week, a month, two months. If these assignments are not written into the calendar it’s very easy for students to forget and not be prepared.  Additionally time management involves the way students spend time during each day. Schedules help to allot time for study, time for recreation, time for eating and sleeping. Parents should help students set up a schedule that works for both of them.
• Rest – It’s important for students to be rested. Adolescents generally require at least 9 hours sleep a night. If they get less than that they are really not functioning at their full potential. Sleep is important to help the body recharge. Studies have shown that when students are well rested they focus better in school, they absorb more, they retain more information, their mood is better and their ability to learn is increased. 
• Nutrition – Healthy eating is another habit of highly effective students. The better the diet the better students function. More nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables and a balance of protein and healthy carbs help students to maintain higher energy levels and think more clearly. Sugars and unhealthy carbs make students lethargic and unable to focus on their work.
• Recreation and relaxation – Students need balance in their lives between their studies and fun, relaxing activities. Sports, music, yoga, recreational reading, hobbies, time with friends and family are all excellent recreational activities. Sports and physical activity help students to stay healthy. A healthy body and a healthy mind go hand in hand.
• Last but not least is encouragement, support, and confidence building from parents and teachers. Students function better when they are encouraged in a positive way. Negativity only breeds more negativity. Self-esteem and confidence are so important for students. When they believe they are doing well they try harder. I’ve seen this so many times. Students can become frustrated easily. Frustration leads to anxiety, stress, and failure. It’s important to praise students when they do well and encourage them to always do better. Remember if at first they don’t succeed, try again. Be patient!