But these habits will definitely help your grades!

Students who win the semester know that understanding and cultivating effective habits is crucial. These three "pre-deciding" habits are game changers for students striving for their best semesters.  Pre-deciding means you make the decision once and then you are disciplined to follow through each day.  Let’s get started.

Not Hitting Snooze

The research on this is clear.  Hitting snooze is bad, bad, bad for your brain!  So, pre-decide now that you won’t hit snooze.  You will get up when your alarm goes off for the following reasons:

• Increased Time Management: By rising promptly, students gain valuable time in the morning to plan their day and engage in productive activities.
• Improved Sleep Quality: Avoiding the snooze button promotes a consistent sleep-wake cycle, enhancing overall sleep quality and contributing to better focus during the day.
• Reduced Stress: Starting the day on time reduces the rush, helping students approach their tasks with a calmer mindset.

Making a To-Do List the Night Before

You must make a to-do list to be successful, no question.  But there are huge benefits of making your to do list for tomorrow before you shut down today. 

• Enhanced Organization: Preparing a to-do list the night before allows students to structure their day, ensuring they allocate time efficiently to various tasks.
• Reduced Procrastination: You know what you need to do.  You don’t need to spend time figuring it out and delaying it today.
• Increased Motivation: Waking up with a clear plan instills a sense of purpose, motivating students to tackle their tasks systematically.

Eating the Frog (Doing the Hard Thing First)

• Boosted Productivity: Tackling the most challenging task early harnesses peak energy levels, leading to increased efficiency and productivity throughout the day.
• Increased Confidence: Conquering a difficult task from the outset instills a sense of accomplishment, building confidence for the rest of the day's challenges.
• Decreased Procrastination: Addressing the hardest task first minimizes the temptation to procrastinate, ensuring that important responsibilities are prioritized.

I encourage you to adopt these habits not only because they will contribute to your academic success, but they will also help in life. By using these strategies, you can actively engage in your studies, extracurricular activities, and have some much-deserved fun. That’s the winning formula for your Best Semester Ever!