Being academically successful is a goal widely sought after, but rarely achieved. There are many hidden psychological tips and tricks about being the best student one can be. The most difficult thing to do is to start a habit and stay consistent – but like all good things, success takes time and is built rather than blindly awarded.
While aiming for the stars is an admirable goal, it is important to learn that failing at first isn’t the end. Embracing the ups and downs that come with a scholastic year are critical. According to Lumen Learning’s adolescent psychology section, “Avoiding failure in this way is an example of self-handicapping — deliberate actions and choices that reduce the chances of success” (lumenlearning.com). Students need to understand that growth isn’t always linear, rather self-initiated.
As frustrating as it is to hear, diet, exercise, and sleep habits really can make or break a student. According to the University of Pennsylvania, “Some effective ways to take care of your body include eating a well-balanced and nutritious diet” (lpsonline.sas.upenn.edu). Humans need to be equilibrium inside the body, as well as outside in order to be truly successful.
To properly understand how crucial it is to maintain one’s state of mind, view the problem from a psychological standpoint. In the human body, everything is interconnected; the sympathetic nervous system is responsible for a variety of finctions. When triggered by an anxious event, “…the amygdala, an area of the brain that contributes to emotional processing, sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus. This area of the brain functions like a command center, communicating with the rest of the body through the nervous system so that the person has the energy to fight or flee,” as per Harvard Medical School (health.harvard.edu).
As the threat continues, the brain remains in overdrive. The article continued, “…the hypothalamus releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which travels to the pituitary gland, triggering the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).” A buildup of these chemicals contribute to wide-reaching ailments, from a suppressed immune system to difficulty digesting and raised blood pressure. Instead of getting through school reacting to deadlines, put an effort in to plan and prepare ahead of time (health.harvard.edu).
Everyone approaches doing schoolwork from a unique standpoint. Senior Maggie Prell said, “One solution I have used to combat procrastinating on work is placing my phone in another room. If being on ‘do not disturb’ mode doesn’t fix the problem, relocating my phone allows the thought of, ‘this is more important and entertaining, I can do my work later’ to be lost.” It’s important to note that different strategies work for different people. As this school year progresses, remember that the internal environment is equally, if not more important, than the external.