cause and effect of poor study habits essay

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 poor study habits negatively impact grades.

BY ANTON LUCANUS

With the advent of new technologies and social media, students at college are finding it increasingly difficult to focus and study effectively. Top ranked colleges across the United States are becoming so competitive that in order to stay afloat and thrive in their chosen field of study, students must consistently outperform peers – and the key to doing so is maintaining a high level of academic performance. Poor study habits are the downfall of many a student, and with so many varying approaches to effective study, how on earth are you supposed to know which is the best?

Here are some negative study habits that will without doubt impact your academic performance in the long run, so we recommend you address them as quickly as possible.

Not taking care of your eyes

While eye strain has not yet been proven to lead to longer-term, chronic health issues, it can certainly make it more difficult to work comfortably and focus for long periods of time. There are some quick fixes to the issue, including ibuprofen and eye exercises every 20 minutes, but there are some longer-term habit changes that need to be in place to make sure you can achieve pain free, successful study periods.

According to Doron Kalinko, Co-Founder of SmartBuyGlasses, “when working on a computer for any length of time, students commonly find themselves experiencing symptoms of computer vision syndrome (CVS) including blurred vision, eye strain, neckaches, headaches and red eyes, a result of your monitor’s bright backlight, glare and the inability of your eyes to remain accurately focused on your screen.” Luckily, it’s easy to fix most of these things. Firstly, tweak your monitor so that it stands 20-30 inches away from your eyes and so that it is consistently at eye level. Secondly, switch off any harsh fluorescent lights and ensure natural light is flooding in from either side of your computer, rather than from behind it. And, perhaps most importantly, consider getting your eyes checked in order to rule out vision problems, and then invest in some customized glasses with computer lenses, designed specifically to filter out blue light being emitted from your computer and protect your eyes.

Multitasking

  Music. Television. Texting. Social media. These are perhaps the most dangerous temptations a student will face during allocated study time. Constant push notifications, alerts, text messages and incoming calls mean that unbroken focus on your studies is nearly impossible. Recent studies have shown that 38 percent of students are unable to last more than 10 minutes without checking their phone or social media account, and nearly three quarters of college students admit they are constantly engaging with some form of technology while studying. Another research study conducted by the University of Connecticut also (unfortunately) revealed that students who multitasked while studying had to study longer and had lower grades on average than peers who multitasked less often. This means that if you want to spend less time studying, you need to actually pay attention and study without checking your phone!

To eliminate the temptation of distractions altogether, it’s best to remove mobile phones, laptops and tablets from the room before studying, unless of course they are required for learning. If you need a laptop, it’s worth downloading an application designed to help students remain focused. SelfControl is one app that enables you to block access to any distracting websites, mail servers, or pop ups while studying. Or, try switching to the ‘focus view’ function within Microsoft Word, which enables you to view your documents in full screen and hide all other potentially distracting toolbars. Set yourself a goal to not check your phone until your study session is complete. Habits are tough to break, but if you follow these suggestions you will eventually find the temptation to be less and less.

  Poor posture

  How you sit while studying for prolonged periods of time can have a huge impact on your ability to concentrate as well as your longer-term health. The worst habits, which you’ll probably recognize, include sinking down in your seat (which strains the lower back), jutting out your chin (which can cause upper back pain), slouching to one side, and sitting on your wallet (which could potentially pinch the sciatic nerve and cause longer term damage to the spine).

The best posture you can adopt when you’re studying is one where your back is connected to the chair, your feet are flat on the floor, your keyboard is no more than an arm’s length away, and the monitor two to three inches above eye level. If you start a small, regular, exercise routine that focuses on core strength and stretching, you’ll improve your ability to sit up straight for prolonged periods – as well as keep you fit and healthy! Take intermittent breaks throughout study to stretch, and last, but certainly not least, avoid hunching over your keyboard. This will cause you to develop a rounded upper back and lead to spinal misalignment and stiffness in your shoulders, which will definitely prevent you from being able to study as long as you need to get the grades you want.

  While most students believe that an all-nighter before an exam, fueled by caffeine and junk food, is the best approach to retaining information, studies show they could not be more wrong. Rather, an hour of study one day, a few the next, followed by another hour or two over the weekend in the lead-up to an exam is a far more effective means of improving later recall. Why is this? Simple. By cramming, you’re making a trade-off between sleep and study, but it turns out that sleep is actually a key contributor to academic achievement. UCLA professor of psychiatry Andrew J. Fuligni reports that sacrificing sleep for extra study time, whether it’s cramming for a test or working through a pile of homework, is in fact counterproductive, as you’re more likely to have more academic problems, not fewer, the following day.

In a study he jointly ran with a number of UCLA professors, it was found that study time became increasingly associated with more academic problems, because longer study hours generally meant fewer hours of sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, not getting sufficient sleep limits your ability to learn, listen, concentrate and solve problems. The solution? Get the prescribed 8 hours of sleep per night recommend for university aged students. Ensure you quit studying early enough each night to squeeze in 8 hours of pillow time, and no less. Plan your study calendar well in advance of an exam to ensure you have allocated sufficient hours to study, so as to avoid last minute cramming.

There are countless other negative study habits that, unfortunately, 21 st century students have fallen prone to. Consistently using one single strategy to study is a negative study habit to avoid. So are excessive consumption of caffeine and junk food to fuel long cram sessions, and sticking to the same working environment rather than mixing it up occasionally. Learning how to ‘study smart’ is vital if you wish to achieve great things, not only on campus but beyond it – in the working world – where negative work habits will not only impact your health but also your greater career prospects.

Byline –  Anton Lucanus is the Director of Neliti. During his college years, he maintained a perfect GPA, was published in a top cancer journal, and received many of his country’s most prestigious undergraduate scholarships. Anton writes for The College Puzzle as a means to share the lessons learnt throughout his degree and to guide current students to achieve personal and educational fulfilment during college life.

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Factors Affecting Poor Study Habits and Academic Performance among Grade VI Pupils in Putingkahoy Elementary School

• Emily Almero

INTRODUCTION

Poor study habits are one of the major causes of current academic problems. Too many students do not know how to study efficiently and effectively. Every curriculum year, it is one of the problems that teachers have to contend with. It is not only the teachers who are concerned with this problem but the school administrators as well. This study basically described the causes of poor study habits among our Grade Six pupils in three aspects namely: 1) Child Related Causes; 2) School Related Causes and; 3) Home Related Causes.

This study used the descriptive survey method. A questionnaire was used to determine the causes of poor study habits among pupils. Pupils rated each situation/ reason/cause presented. A questionnaire composed of twenty-one (21) items was used. It was written in English with a Filipino translation to facilitate better understanding and generate authentic responses. Fifty-three (53) grade VI pupils enrolled were selected as respondents and they answered the questionnaire. All of the data gathered from the respondents were organized, tallied, tabulated and presented in tables. Frequency, percentage weight values and weighted mean were used in the analysis and interpretation of data.

Based on the results revealed by the study, the following are the salient findings of this action research:In terms of child related causes, difficulty in comprehension and poor concentration got the highest mean; 2) In terms of school related causes, distractions like noise and lack of textbooks with percentage mean of (X=3.13 and X= 2.98) were the major problem; and 3) In terms of home related causes, distraction by other interest with percentage mean of (X= 3.06) and household chores (2.98) are the top problems confronted by pupils.

DISCUSSIONS

The results showed that we should emphasize to all the teachers that concentration, along with comprehension should be developed among the pupils because these skills tend to influence the study habits of the pupils. In school, it should be stressed by the teachers to the pupils that when they study, it is not enough that they learn how to decode the words in the text of what they study, but they also understand the main thought. School administrators should maintain a school environment that is conducive for studying. Classroom organization and noise reduction should also be given emphasis because these affect the study habits of the pupils. Parents should also be informed about the interests and hobbies of their children that can distract learning like using gadgets and other activities.

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The Effect of Sleep Quality on Students’ Academic Achievement

Rostam jalali.

1 Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran

Habibollah Khazaei

2 Sleep Disorders Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran

Behnam Khaledi Paveh

Zinab hayrani, lida menati.

Sleep is an inseparable part of human health and life, which is crucial in learning, practice, as well as physical and mental health. It affects the capacity of individual learning, academic performance, and neural-behavioral functions. This study aimed to determine the relationship between sleep quality and students’ academic achievement among students at Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences.

In this cross-sectional study, 102 medical students from different fields, with maximum variation sampling, completed Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). For data analysis, SPSS 19 was used through which Pearson correlation test, Spearman test, and t -test were employed.

Based on the quality of sleep questionnaire scores, the results indicated no significant difference between students with high grades and those with low grades. However, there were moderate and sometimes severe sleep disturbances in both groups.

The results showed no significant difference between sleep quality and academic achievement. Nevertheless, longitudinal study should be performed to control for confounding factors.

Sleep is an inseparable part of human health and life, and is pivotal to learning and practice as well as physical and mental health. 1 Studies have suggested that insufficient sleep, increased frequency of short-term sleep, and going to sleep late and getting up early affect the learning capacity, academic performance, and neurobehavioral functions. 2 , 3 Previous studies have indicated that the quantity of sleep reported by individuals as delayed or inappropriate sleep, waking up too late, especially at weekends and daytime sleepiness is associated with compromised academic performance in children and adults. 2 Some studies have emphasized the relationship between delayed starting time of classes and academic success. 4 Reduced overnight sleep or altered sleep patterns has been associated with severe drowsiness and failure in academic success. 5 In a study, people who had enough sleep compared to their sleep-deprived individuals used innovative solutions twice as often when confronted with complex mathematical problems. 6 The chance of academic failure was as long as one or more than 1 year in students with inadequate sleep compared to those with proper sleep. 7 People who sleep less and sleep during the day are more prone to vehicle and work accidents. 8 In some studies, sleep efficiency has been considered as essential for recovery, cognitive processing, and memory integration. 9 On the other hand, lack of sleep has been associated with emotional instability and impaired concentration. 10 In this regard, students are particularly at risk of developing sleep disorders and development of the disorder among them has a negative effect on their academic performance across different grades, 11 – 13 However, there is no consensus in this case and not all studies state that sleep disorders yield a negative effect on academic performance. Eliasson (2010) believes that the time it takes to fall asleep and waking up affect academic performance more than duration of sleep does. 14 Sweileh and colleagues (2011) also believe that there is no relationship between sleep quality and academic success. 15 Similarly, it is claimed there is no relationship between the night sleep before the exam and test scores either. 16

In another study, the author believes stress from lack of sleep causes poor school performance. 17 On the other hand, in a systematic review, the authors could not establish a cause and effect relationship between sleep quality and academic performance. 2 In their meta-analysis study, Dewald and colleagues (2010) emphasized that because of the diversity of the methodology of studies, it is impossible to definitely derive a relationship between sleep quality and academic performance, and thus more longitudinal intervention studies are warranted. 1 According to different conclusions in this respect, the researchers decided to determine the relationship between sleep quality and academic performance among students at Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences.

In this cross-sectional study, through maximum variation sampling, the first three students with highest scores and three last students with lowest scores were selected, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was completed for them.

The study population consisted of students of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences. The samples were also students at each school with the highest GPA (first three high scores) and the lowest GPA (last three lowest scores). The sampling was purposeful sampling with maximum variation. The sample covered a number of disciplines in the third semester and above ( Figures 1 & 2 ). After determining the target students, the questionnaire was given to them and then returned to the researcher after completion.

Abundant distribution of students by field of study.

Frequency distribution of students by semester.

The data collection instruments were demographic form (including age, gender, place of residence, grade, rank in the class, discipline) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). PSQI is a self-report questionnaire which examines the quality of sleep. It has 18 questions which are classified into seven components: the first component is the subjective sleep quality which is determined with Question 9. The second component is related to delays in falling asleep, where the score is calculated by two questions, the mean score of Question 2 and part of Question 5. The third component deals with sleep duration and is determined by Question 4. The fourth component is related to the efficiency and effectiveness of sleeping in patients. Its score is calculated via dividing the total hours of sleep by total hours in the bed multiplied by 100. Then, the fifth component deals with sleep disorders and is achieved by calculating the mean value of Question 5. The sixth component is related to hypnotic drugs and is determined based on Question 6. Finally, the seventh component captures inadequate performance throughout the day and is determined by two questions (mean scores of Questions 7 and 8). Each question is rated between 0 and 3 points where maximum score for each component is 3. The total scores range of the seven components making up the total score range from 0 to 21. Higher scores represent a lower sleep quality, where a score above 6 indicates poor sleep quality. The reliability and validity of this inventory have also been approved in Iran, where the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the questionnaire was 0.78 to 0.82. 18 In another study, Cronbach’s alpha for the Persian version was 0.77. In cut-off point 5, the sensitivity and specificity were 94% and 72%, and in cut-off point 6, they were 85% and 84%, respectively. 19

After collecting the questionnaires and introducing students’ demographic data to a computer using SPSS version 16, the relationship between sleep quality scores and grade point average (GPA high and low) was calculated.

The results indicated that 34 cases (33.3%) of the subjects were male. The mean age of the sample 23.10 ± 3.25, where the mean age for females was 22.46± 2.44 and for males was 24.38± 4.19. The participants in the study came from various disciplines including laboratory science, medicine, pharmacology, emergency medicine, obstetrics, radiology, operating room, health technology, and nursing.

Most students lived in dormitories (50%) and 46.1% at home, with 3.9% living in rental houses. The students' educational level ranged between the third semester and twelfth semester.

Among those participating in the study, 67 patients (65.7%) consumed coffee, 90 cases (88.2%) used tea, and 1 (1%) took a drug.

For comparing the mean scores of students and the component of sleep, Spearman test (non-normal data) was employed, where a significant correlation was observed between GPA and hours taking to fall asleep ( Table 1 ).

The Relationship Between Sleep Components and GPA in KUMS Students

Similarly, there was a relationship between sleep components and tea, coffee, hypnotic drugs, and drug ( Table 2 ).

The Relationship Between Sleep Components and Type of Drink or Drug in KUMS Students Kermanshah

On the other hand, independent t -test between Pittsburgh scores in the two groups did not show any significant differences. Nevertheless, impaired sleep quality was moderate to severe in both groups ( Table 3 ).

The Difference Between the Mean Pittsburg Scores in Two Groups (Students with High and Low GPA)

The results indicated that impaired sleep quality between the two groups was not statistically significant. Although the relationship between sleeping and academic success has been introduced in medical literature since a long time, there still no definitive answer in this case. In a meta-analysis study conducted to examine the impact of sleep quality, sleep duration, and sleepiness on adolescents’ academic performance, although all three variables were related to academic achievement (positive relationship between sleep quality and duration of sleep and negative association with sleepiness), this relationship was very trivial. 1

On the other hand, another systematic review study of descriptive studies concluded that sleep disturbance adversely affects different areas such as general health, social status, and academic performance. However, longitudinal studies are required for a more accurate examination. 20 , 21 In an another systematic review of other authors, the authors concluded that under-sleeping would have an impact on learning of some students, and could have a detrimental effect on academic achievement. 22 Further, another review study also suggests a conclusive recommendation which has to be done to modify sleep so that it can be used for academic success. 23

The present study was conducted to explore whether sleep disorder can influence academic achievement or not. Accordingly, a specific sample of accomplished or unachieved students were selected to compare the quality and quantity of sleep. However, no significant difference was between the two groups. Other studies have reached similar conclusions.

Sweileh and his colleagues in a study on 400 Palestinian students concluded that academic achievement was not correlated with sleep quality. 15 In another study on 189 medical students in Pakistan, there was no significant association between lack of sleep and test scores. 16 In this regard, there is a possibility of sleep disorder in students, and this possibility has been expressed for the lack of academic achievement, but it has not been clearly explained. 11 In another study, sleepiness during the day (not the quality and quantity of sleep) was identified as an independent predictor of academic success. 5 In a similar study again the time it takes to fall sleep and the wake-up time (not the total amount of sleep) were associated with academic success, 14 where the total amount of sleep in adolescents with a dynamic mind was not related to their academic achievement. 24 In contrast to such studies that emphasize lack of association or low association, there are other studies that have observed an inverse relationship between sleep disturbance and academic achievement. In a study on 491 first-, second-, and third-year medical students, there was a correlation between academic performance and the amount of nighttime sleep as well as daytime sleepiness. 25 In a similar study on medical students, lack of sleep at night, late going to bed, and daytime sleepiness had a negative effect on the academic performance of the students. 26 Notably, sleep disturbances are likely to yield a negative impact on academic performance, thereby causing a vicious cycle. 25 , 27 Taken together, the studies suggest that most studies have mentioned poor quality sleep among the majority of students. 3 , 26 , 27 Accordingly, concluding the relationship between common sleep disturbance and academic performance should be done with caution. The reason is that academic success can be affected by different factors including the level of family income, the evolutionary process, intake of supplements and vitamins, family size, social media dependency, addiction to social networks, and social issues. In studies these extraneous factors are not under control, thus emphasizing the fact that the presence or absence of correlation between sleep quality and academic performance should be done with caution and using longitudinal studies.

Limitations

The main limitation of this study was the small sample size, but a specific sampling method was chosen to overcome this shortcoming. Another limitation of the study was not controlling for confounding factors in the study. Based on the results of this study and similar studies, further research should be conducted with a better design.

The results indicated no significant difference between sleep quality in achieved and unachieved academic performance. Nevertheless, to conclude with more certainty, longitudinal studies should be performed to control confounding factors.

Acknowledgments

The authors of this article appreciate the collaborations of the Sleep Disorders Research Center.

Funding Statement

Funding for this research was provided by the Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Sleep Disorders Research Center (93026).

Data Sharing Statement

The datasets used and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Poor study habits essay sample, example.

Studying is an art. Many students do not know how to do it properly though. It seems as if they are always behind schedule when it comes to handing in homework, or preparing for a test. If they knew how to increase the effectiveness of their studying habits, they would feel less stressed and more on top of their deadlines. In order to educate students on how to study well, the following paragraphs will discuss five poor study habits that lead students into trouble, and how to tackle these defects.

Procrastination is perhaps the most dangerous habit students develop. They put off their assignments until it is almost impossible to do well on them. According to the University of the People, “There are many anti-procrastination strategies you can adopt, from better time management to being more organized, following to-do-lists, to asking someone to check up on your progress” (“5 Bad Study Habits To Drop And 4 Good Ones To Keep”). However, to not procrastinate is more of a personal choice. Inner motivation is more important than outer motivation.

Following motivation, each person studies better in certain places. Libraries, cafes, studying rooms in schools, and more, are often referred to as conductive places to dive into your assignments. The University of the People states that, “Rule of thumb: If you fall asleep when you read in a place (say, the couch or your bed), this isn’t the best studying place for you. The same goes for a place with a lot of distractions, like the beach” (“5 Bad Study Habits To Drop And 4 Good Ones To Keep”). The best thing to do is to practice studying in various locales and see what works best for your brain. You will never know for sure where you study best until you try out many different locations.

Along the same lines with atmosphere, you should you know how to get rid of distractions when studying. There is nothing worse than something breaking your flow when you working on your assignments. According to Oxford Learning, “Study distractions can either be internal or external. Internal study distractions include physiological needs and emotional thoughts. External study distractions include technology and people” (“Homework & Study Distraction Tips From The Experts”). This means students need to have peace inside and out. When you study, you need to get into a certain mindframe and space that is conducive to studying.

As a backing for your studying, you should take neat notes. A lot of students mess around when taking down notes. But, the key is taking accurate, readable, and comprehensive notes in order to make your studying and completing assignments easier (Garcia, Lori). With great notes, you can recall information from class in a cinch and memorize data your brain needs to use for tests. Also, taking good notes during class keeps you focused on the learning process rather than on your friend’s jokes, for instance. Having a good attention during class can change your grade.

You may have fantastic notes, by maybe you are studying with the wrong people. You could be hanging out with friends that distract you, or who are not as serious as you are in studies. You should pick co-studiers who are about at the same grade level or higher in class. There is no need to be rude and say to someone, “your grade is a C, so I can’t study with you,” but do your best to choose wisely. It might even be wise to choose to study with someone you do not know personally, but is from your same class, or studies the same subject.

Getting studying done is notoriously difficult for students. But if they remember to not procrastinate, find the best place to study, throw out distractions, take clear and comprehensive notes, and do their work with appropriate people, they can achieve the grades they desire.

Works Cited

“5 Bad Study Habits To Drop And 4 Good Ones To Keep.” University of the People, 5 Aug. 2018, www.uopeople.edu/blog/5-bad-study-habits-drop-4-good-ones-keep/.

“Homework & Study Distraction Tips From The Experts.” Oxford Learning, 13 Oct. 2017, www.oxfordlearning.com/study-without-getting-distracted-tips/.

Garcia, Lori. “10 Bad Study Habits and How to Fix Them.” Babble, Babble, 22 Mar. 2017, www.babble.com/kid/10-bad-study-habits-and-how-to-fix-them/.

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Poor study habits and how to break them

Study tips Published 31 May, 2023  ·  7-minute read

Breaking your poor study habits and replacing them with good study habits could make a world of difference to your grades. It could even help you feel happier and more satisfied with school.

But when you’re right in the middle of things, it can be hard to spot the behaviours that are weighing you down. Look through the bad study habit examples below to identify what your obstacles might be and learn how to overcome them.

Cramming for exams and doing assignments the night before

Yeah, let’s get this obvious one out of the way. You might pass the occasional exam by cramming or get away with a last-minute essay every now and then, but this approach to studying isn’t sustainable.

When you cram, you’re effectively committing facts and concepts to your short-term memory. You’re unlikely to recall the information later, and you’re also not really engaging with the content and thinking about it on a deeper level.

How to stop cramming

You can break this poor study habit with a study schedule. Map out all the times you have available to study – after school, in the evenings, on weekends, even in the mornings – and plan which subjects you’ll study and revise in those time blocks.

• If you’re a bit forgetful or easily lose track of time, consider making your study schedule on your phone or laptop . This way you can set up alerts to notify you when it’s study time.
• If you’d prefer having a constant reminder of your plans and goals, instead create a physical schedule and place it prominently on your desk instead. Decorate it as you wish.

Not sure which kind of study schedule will work for you? Try both at first to see which one keeps you on track.

By using a schedule, you’ll be able to revise content from your subjects gradually over time, which will make it much easier to access the info you need when exams come up. Plus, if anything doesn’t quite make sense when you revise it, you’ll have time to check in with your teacher and get answers.

Procrastinating

It’s human nature to put off things that feel difficult and do easy things instead. It’s why you might spend hours playing games even though you know an important assignment is due soon.

A little bit of procrastination is normal and shouldn’t hurt your grades too much, so don’t be too quick to beat yourself up. But if you start to miss due dates or hand in unfinished assignments, there’s a good chance procrastination has become a serious problem.

So, how do you beat the big bad study habit that is procrastination?

One trick to reduce the impact of procrastination involves the study schedule we mentioned earlier. When you have an essay or project to complete, try putting a due date in your schedule a few days before the actual deadline. Artificially making the work seem more urgent may give you the push you need to get cracking on it sooner.

Another good way to stop procrastinating is to break up any big assignments you have into smaller, more manageable jobs. This can apply to almost any kind of task, including essays (break into research, planning, writing, proofreading) and exam prep (break into taking notes, paraphrasing your notes, comparing notes with a friend or your study group, reviewing your notes).

You can extend this approach to your general study sessions too. Break each hour into smaller chunks of time, such as 40 minutes of making notes, 10 minutes of taking a walk and grabbing a snack (breaks are important!), and 10 minutes of reading back your notes.

Getting distracted

You’re finally in the zone on your English essay when a notification on your phone grabs your attention and you lose your train of thought. Or you’re on a roll with a series of practice equations when your brother starts blasting music in the next room and now you can barely think.

You can’t always control the world around you and stop distractions from happening. But you can usually choose where to study and influence your surroundings.

How to stop getting distracted while studying

Firstly, you need to select a dedicated study zone – a sanctuary where you can focus on your schoolwork. Your bedroom or your home’s study might seem like the obvious choices, but you could also try a local library or park if your household has too many distractions.

Once you’ve chosen your study zone:

• Make sure the lighting, temperature and seating are comfortable.
• Turn off your phone or use an app to keep it from distracting you.
• Close any browser tabs that aren’t related to your study session.
• Place any items you might fidget with out of reach and out of sight.
• Ask anyone in the house not to disturb you while you’re studying.

Leaving your notes unorganised

We know taking notes in class can feel a bit rushed. You don’t always have time to neatly organise and colour-code each sentence as your teacher speaks.

That’s alright. Your notes don’t have to be meticulous or beautiful all the time.

But it’s important to organise your schoolwork and materials at least a bit. Even a simple to-do list, combined with your study schedule and a tidy study space, can help you stay productive and feel less stressed. This also ensures you won’t miss any due dates or forget any assignments.

Many students find it helpful to take those quick notes from class and recreate them in a neater format in the evening or the next day. This is a great way to review the content you’ve recently learnt, and it also means your notes are easy to find and revise when you get to exam time.

How to organise your school notes

Here are some quick tips to help you organise your schoolwork:

• Find a note-taking structure that suits your study style. Experiment with bullet points, mind maps, highlighting, colour-coding and other approaches to see what speaks to you.
• Give each of your subjects a designated notebook, folder and/or binder .
• Make sure all your notes have a title and date so they’re easy to organise and find.
• Try a digital to-do list to keep track of your tasks without cluttering up your desk.
• Review your notes each week or so . This will allow you to you spot any gaps in your notes, keep track of the key concepts throughout the term, and group together any content that is related.

Sticking to standard studying techniques

One bad study habit that flies under the radar is repeating the same approach to studying or revision, even if it’s not working that well.

Sure, some people really do learn best by writing notes and reading them back. But many people absorb information better in other ways and will struggle to retain content they’ve only seen on paper.

Even if straightforward writing/reading is your preferred study style, mixing things up every now and then can keep your study sessions fresh and your mind engaged.

How to keep your study interesting

Try some of these ideas to see what approaches to studying work well for your learning style:

• Take your written notes and summarise/paraphrase them in your own words.
• Turn paragraphs or bullet points of notes into mind maps or diagrams to make them visual.
• Record yourself speaking through your notes and play them back.
• Join or start a study group for collaborative learning and discussions.
• Try teaching the content to somebody else (take turns as the “teacher” with a study buddy, persuade a sibling to volunteer, or even gather some plushies to become an imaginary audience)
• Use flash cards to quiz yourself.

Studying too much

Yes, you read that correctly. There is such a thing as studying too much.

Committing to regular study and keeping to your study schedule is an excellent step in breaking poor study habits. But investing too much energy into your studies can become negative too – if it comes at the expense of your self-care, health and relationships.

If your study time is cutting into your exercise, meals, sleep and social activity, this can start to hurt your grades instead of helping them. This is because your brain can’t perform at its best if you’re fatigued, malnourished or burnt out.

How to avoid over-studying

To make sure your study doesn’t become unhealthy:

• Factor time for meals, snacks and exercise/sports into your study schedule.
• Stick to a consistent bedtime, even if it means sometimes interrupting your study halfway through a topic.
• Make regular time to catch up with your friends. If your friends are also your study group, make sure you do things together beyond studying.
• Be mindful of your mental health and seek help if you’re struggling.

Final thoughts

It’s important not to waste time and energy feeling guilty about any of these poor study habits. Nobody can say they’ve never procrastinated, gotten distracted or left their work in a messy pile on their desk.

What matters is that you’ve now got a good idea of the obstacles that might be holding you back in your schoolwork. And you’ve got a plan for getting over them.

Once you’ve weeded out the bad study habits that were holding you back, take things to the next level by developing these good study habits.

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7 Bad Study Habits to Avoid and How to Overcome Them

Studying is a crucial part of academic success, yet many students struggle to establish effective study habits. Whether it’s procrastination, lack of focus, or poor time management, bad study habits can significantly impede progress and lead to poor performance. In this article, we will discuss seven common bad study habits to avoid, and provide strategies for overcoming them.

Procrastination

Procrastination is one of the most prevalent bad study habits among students. Whether it’s a fear of failure, a lack of motivation, or an overwhelming workload, procrastination can prevent students from completing assignments and studying for exams on time. To overcome procrastination, it’s essential to set realistic goals, create a schedule, and break down tasks into manageable chunks. Additionally, students should try to identify the underlying causes of procrastination and address them head-on.

Lack of Focus

Another common bad study habit is a lack of focus. Whether it’s due to distractions, such as social media or other digital devices, or a lack of interest in the subject matter, a lack of focus can make it difficult for students to retain information and complete assignments. To improve focus, students should try to eliminate distractions, establish a dedicated study space, and take regular breaks to refresh their minds.

Poor Time Management

Effective time management is crucial for academic success, yet many students struggle to manage their time effectively. Whether it’s procrastination, lack of focus, or poor planning, poor time management can lead to last-minute cramming, incomplete assignments, and poor performance on exams. To improve time management, students should create a schedule, set realistic goals, and prioritize tasks according to their importance.

Not Setting Goals

A bad habit of not setting goals can lead to poor performance in academic and personal life. A lack of direction and purpose can cause students to lose motivation and interest in their studies. To overcome this, it’s essential to set specific, measurable, and achievable goals, and to track progress towards those goals. You might light to check this post for further information.

Not Taking Breaks

Many students believe that the key to academic success is to study for long hours without taking breaks. However, this approach can lead to burnout, fatigue, and poor performance. To avoid this, students should take regular breaks to refresh their minds and recharge their batteries.

Not Reviewing Notes

Taking notes is an essential part of studying, yet many students fail to review their notes regularly. This can lead to poor retention of information and difficulty in recalling important concepts on exams. To overcome this, students should review their notes regularly and use active recall techniques, such as flashcards and quizzes, to reinforce their understanding of the material.

Not Seeking Help

Many students are hesitant to seek help when they’re struggling with their studies. Whether it’s a lack of confidence, fear of being judged, or a belief that they should be able to handle everything on their own, not seeking help can prevent students from getting the support they need to succeed. To overcome this, students should seek help from teachers, tutors, or other academic support resources, such as study groups or online forums.

Bad study habits can significantly impede academic progress and lead to poor performance. By identifying and addressing these habits, students can establish effective study strategies and achieve their academic goals.

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Best College Essay Examples

Causes of academic failure in college.

908 words | 4 page(s)

Failing academically in college is a situation that many students have experienced. College students fail academically because of various reasons. Most of the reasons are mainly within the control of the students themselves. Considering that it is a major milestone when a young people join college, students fail academically because of poor performance. For many, joining college gives them new experience especially when they are away from home for a long period of time. In addition, being away implies that there is no any form of parental supervision and every individual is responsible for their decisions and actions. This is the period when most students fail academically in college because of lack of determination and preparedness, missing classes or poor attendance, and poor time management.

One main cause of academic failure in college students is caused the lack of determination and preparedness. The first year when students Join College is often regarded as a major year of transitioning from their previous life and adopt college life. Most students leave their home with much determination to join college and graduate with excellent performance. Despite the determination, students come across various college challenges that most of them were not prepared of for the first time such as balancing work with class work and other activities. Students are also not prepared to make many of their life decisions especially academic decisions independently. When students face such challenges, the level of determination begins to drop gradually as they transition to higher levels in college. Such challenges often overpower the decision making aspect of many students and they end up losing motivation. In other cases, some students are not mentally, academically, and emotionally prepared to succeed in college. Some of them lack the required motivation and work ethic to succeed academically in college. Lack of unpreparedness affects their academic performance in that some of the students face the emotional challenge of being on their own. This directly affects their performance academically leading to most of them performing poorly. However, most colleges provide personal counsellors for each student immediately they join college. The counsellors are responsible for providing guidance to students in balancing their academic work with challenges in their personal life.

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The second main cause of academic failure in college is due to poor attendance or missing classes. Academic experts and scholars have described failure to attend classes consistently as one of the surest ways of failing academically. There are various college that require a student to attend classes consistently. Moreover, most courses in many college include grading components such as pop quizzes, participation in in-class academic activities, and team projects as part of the course’s final grade. Students who fail academically tend to miss such grading components which in turn makes their grade to be very poor. However, the serious issues is that a student who misses classes will also miss the main concepts taught in class in several ways which will impact their performance or understanding of the course objective. Poor attendance in classes can result in missed tests and class projects, missed homework assignments, and missed study materials for the class. In addition, a student can miss important class discussion topics and content which may lead to the student performing poorly in class assignments and also on tests. Attending classes ensures maintains the academic activeness of a students since they are able to keep the pace with others altogether without anybody being left behind. In addition, a student can engage with the professor in a discussion by asking clarification on the topic is that they did not understand well.

The third main cause of academic failure in college is because of poor time management that leads to wastage of time and poor reading habits. Poor time management is one of the common causes of academic failure in college. It encompasses several related problems that can lead to academic failure. Poor time management is characterized by lack of schedule or time table, or poor planning of academic and non-academic activities while in college. For instance, students sometimes spend too much time playing games, handing out with their friends, and watching movies or television while disregarding the significant time that is requires for completing academic activities. Considering the typical need to balance coursework, jobs, extracurricular activities, and labs, lack of time plan can put students in a serious bind. Poor time management may result in students forgetting to do their class and home assignments. In some serious cases, students who is behind the deadline for submitting an assignment may be forced to plagiarize the paper in order to make up for the lack of effort and planning. Plagiarism is a serious offense in many universities and it may lead to the student failing academically. Poor time management is also a form of poor study habits that can lead to academic failure in college.

In a nutshell, the three main causes of academic failure in college include lack of determination and preparedness, missing classes or poor attendance, and poor time management. Lack of determination and preparedness students losing motivation as a result of the many unexpected challenges that they come across while in college and cannot cope with them independently. Poor attendance results in students missing class and homework assignments, and critical discussions in class. Poor time management is characterized by student spending more time in other activities while ignoring critical academic activities that require concentration and determination leading to academic fail.

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Bad Habits : Bad Driving Habits

This essay about bad driving habits discusses common practices that compromise road safety and suggests ways to address them. It highlights several dangerous behaviors, including distracted driving, especially from mobile phone use, speeding, tailgating, and failing to use turn signals. The essay emphasizes that these behaviors not only increase the risk of accidents but also contribute to traffic congestion, road rage, and higher stress levels among drivers. It advocates for stricter enforcement of traffic laws, enhanced public education programs, and a cultural shift in driving attitudes to improve safety. By improving individual driving habits, the essay argues, we can create a safer, more efficient, and less stressful driving environment for everyone. This piece serves as a call to action for drivers to adopt more responsible driving practices and for society to support these changes through collective effort and regulatory measures.

How it works

In the fast-paced world we navigate, driving has become an integral part of life, offering mobility and convenience. However, the freedom of the open road comes with responsibilities, often neglected due to bad driving habits. These practices not only increase the risk of accidents but also contribute to road rage, traffic jams, and increased stress levels among drivers. This discussion aims to shed light on common poor driving habits and their repercussions, urging a shift towards more cautious and aware driving behaviors.

One prevalent issue is distracted driving, often involving the use of mobile devices. Texting, browsing social media, or even just chatting on the phone can divert attention from the road significantly. The few seconds spent glancing at a text message can be enough for a vehicle to travel a considerable distance without driver oversight, creating a setup for potential accidents. Despite numerous campaigns and laws to curb mobile phone use while driving, adherence is lax, underscoring the need for greater enforcement and public education.

Speeding is another habitual problem that undermines road safety. Drivers often exceed speed limits to save time, underestimating the risks involved. Higher speeds reduce the driver’s reaction time and increase the severity of accidents. This behavior is particularly dangerous in areas with high pedestrian activity or in adverse weather conditions, where the control of the vehicle is compromised. Encouraging adherence to speed limits through better signage, speed cameras, and community awareness programs might be effective in combating this widespread issue.

Another dangerous driving habit is tailgating, where drivers do not leave sufficient space between vehicles. This practice leaves little room for error and is a common cause of rear-end collisions. Tailgating reflects impatience and a lack of regard for safety buffers recommended by driving experts. Educating drivers about the importance of safe following distances, possibly through driving courses and public service announcements, could help mitigate this risk.

Lastly, failure to use turn signals is a simple yet overlooked aspect of safe driving. Signaling intentions allows other road users to adjust their actions accordingly, facilitating smoother traffic flow and reducing the likelihood of collisions. Neglecting to signal is not only illegal but also indicative of careless or lazy driving habits that put everyone on the road at risk.

The consequences of poor driving habits extend beyond individual risk to a broader societal impact, including increased healthcare costs, higher insurance premiums, and significant emotional and physical trauma. Addressing these habits requires a combination of stricter law enforcement, educational initiatives, and cultural changes in attitudes towards driving. Only through collective efforts can we hope to improve road safety and ensure a safer driving environment for everyone.

Driving is a privilege that should be approached with seriousness and responsibility. By acknowledging and rectifying bad driving habits, drivers can contribute to a safer, more efficient, and less stressful experience on the roads. Let’s make an effort to be mindful of our driving behaviors and encourage others to do the same, steering clear of habits that endanger lives.

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Home — Essay Samples — Nursing & Health — Eating Habits — The Causes, Effects, And Solution Of Poor Nutrition In Children

The Causes and Effects of Poor Nutrition in Children

• Categories: Eating Habits

About this sample

Words: 1240 |

Published: Nov 22, 2018

Words: 1240 | Pages: 3 | 7 min read

Table of contents

Causes of poor nutrition, what are the effects of bad nutrition (essay), works cited.

• Roblin, J. (2007). The influence of advertising on children’s food choices. Pediatrics & Child Health, 12(2), 105–108.
• Pollert, G. A., Kauffman, M., & Veilleux, J. (2016). The effects of poor nutrition on children. In V. R. Preedy (Ed.), Handbook of Children’s Health: Global and Local Perspectives (pp. 149-159). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-14526-8_13
• Brown, K. A., & Ogden, J. (2004). Children's eating attitudes and behaviour: A study of the modelling and control theories of parental influence. Health Education Research, 19(3), 261-271.
• Cimino, A., Cerniglia, L., Paciello, M., & Alicart, H. (2019). An exploratory study on eating habits and their relation with psychological well-being in a sample of Italian primary school children. Eating and Weight Disorders, 24(4), 723–733. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-019-00680-3
• Contento, I. R. (2008). Nutrition education: Linking research, theory, and practice. Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
• Nwokocha, L. M., & Williams, D. E. (2021). Understanding the global burden of childhood malnutrition: An overview of the causes, consequences, and solutions. Journal of Global Health Reports, 5, e2021035. https://doi.org/10.29392/joghr.5.e2021035
• Lopes, L., Pinto, A., Rodrigues, L. P., & Moreira, P. (2020). Impact of parents’ eating habits and behavior on children’s food intake and preferences. Appetite, 146, 104512.
• Serra-Majem, L., Ribas-Barba, L., & Salvador Castell, G. (2006). What and how much do we need to know about food and nutrition in children and young people? British Journal of Nutrition, 96(S1), S3-S9.
• Skouteris, H., McCabe, M., Swinburn, B., Hill, B., & Busija, L. (2006). A parent-focused intervention to reduce infant obesity risk behaviors: A randomized trial. Pediatrics, 117(5), 1629-1638.
• Veugelers, P. J., & Fitzgerald, A. L. (2005). Effectiveness of school programs in preventing childhood obesity: A multilevel comparison. American Journal of Public Health, 95(3), 432-435.

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