5 Habits to Boost Academic Performance for the Modern Student

To help you navigate these waters and balance your responsibilities, we’ve compiled a list of habits that can boost your academic performance.

Eat Healthy Foods

Junk food is designed to make you crave more junk food. It is full of empty calories that can leave you feeling sluggish. You might get a quick boost of energy when you first eat them, however, that energy will quickly tank.

By choosing healthier foods, you’ll give your body a longer-lasting boost of energy. Some easy grab and go snacks to keep on hand include:

• Nuts

• Dried fruits

• Vegetable sticks

• Protein bars

This doesn’t mean you need to give up all junk food completely; enjoy it in moderation.

Hydrate

Before you reach for that energy drink or coffee, try grabbing a glass of water. Many people don’t consume enough water each day. Every part of your body requires water to function correctly, including your brain.

Caffeine can give you a quick boost of energy, but many caffeinated drinks can also dehydrate you. In addition, many energy drinks are full of chemicals that potentially cause harmful side effects, including seizures and heart problems.

Exercise

We’re not talking about getting a gym membership and spending hours every day pumping iron. However, a 20 to 30-minute power walk can increase blood flow to your brain, provide you with energy, help to clear your mind, and put you in a good mood.

If walking isn’t your thing, you can try a quick home workout. There are many easy 20 to 30-minute workout videos on YouTube.

Stay Organized and Set Goals

Good time management requires you to stay organized. Make sure you are scheduling time to work on each of your classes. Focus on the most challenging class first and work your way to the easiest. If you get stuck or frustrated, take a break and focus on something else.

Also, before each study session, think about what you want to accomplish and set goals. Trying to complete everything in one study session can overwhelm you. Instead, set simple tasks and goals to complete.

Find a Study Buddy

A study group or peer can help keep you accountable for managing your academic time. By scheduling time with a study group, you’re more likely to maintain a study schedule and less likely to procrastinate.

The key is to make sure you pick study partners who are responsible and won’t distract you. A good study partner or group should have similar study goals to yours.

The Takeaway

‌Balancing life can be a challenge. However, if you manage your time and stick to a schedule, you won’t always scramble to accomplish everything. Also, make sure to eat healthy meals and snacks, get at least 20 to 30-mins of exercise a few times per week, and drink plenty of water.