Developing a Study Habit

A proper work habit is crucial in being successful whether it is at school or in the workplace. Good work habits include being able to focus on tasks, doing work diligently, and having a plan on what needs to be done. Students today are constantly distracted by the outside world. Whether it is technology or social media, we have a difficult time staying on task. Research shows that people’s attention span have decreased by 25% because of social media. The decrease in attention span negatively impacts a student’s ability to finish homework on time while understanding the material. Teenagers also tend to forget the materials that they have studied. With increasing technological and social influences in the world, how can students be able to work and learn with rigor? The answer lies with good work habits.

Eliminating technology when studying can help improve a student’s work habits. Without technology by a students side, they can not check social platforms or have connection with the outside world. However, some may say that technology like laptops can actually improve studying. In fact ⅓ of US students have replaced traditional note taking in school by having their own laptops to use word documents. Although this may be beneficial to some extent, it also has an adverse effect on work habits. Reading and studying from a laptop provides easy access to the internet and offers distractions to the student. Furthermore, most homework is still done with paper and when students use typing more, it will slow them down when it comes to writing.

Setting goals when studying can boost a student’s morale and increase productivity and work diligence. As some may know, parents may offer their children a treat when they accomplish chores they were asked to do. Maybe they got a piece of candy when they earned an A, or their parents took them to Disneyland if they were on their best behavior. Setting goals works the same way. By creating a list of what needed to be done, one can map out a plan and have a clear sight of how long each assignment takes. After each task is finished, students will feel better about themselves. The human brain releases a hormone called dopamine whenever they accomplish a task and makes them “feel good”. Accomplished goals will act as a “treat” and with each finished assignment, students are able to increase their productivity.

Knowing how and when to take breaks is also an important part to a good work habit. Taking breaks excessively will prevent students from completing assignments and not taking breaks at all will cause them to feel stressed and will actually negatively impact the work quality. It is recommended to take a 10-30 minute break every 2-4 hours. It gives time for a brain to recover and rest so that later on one can retain the information that he or she studied. However, what a student does during the break is also vital. During downtime, avoid technology and socialize with others. Meditating or closing one's eyes are always adequate ways to recover and relax.

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Works Cited

Nagel 04/08/14, David. “One-Third of U.S. Students Use School-Issued Mobile Devices.” THE Journal, thejournal.com/articles/2014/04/08/a-third-of-secondary-students-use-school-issued-mobile-devices.aspx.

“The Science of Accomplishing Your Goals.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-truisms-wellness/201610/the-science-accomplishing-your-goals.

“Thanks Social Media - Our Average Attention Span Is Now Shorter Than Goldfish.” Marketing Insider Group, 9 May 2017, marketinginsidergroup.com/content-marketing/thanks-social-media-average-attention-span-now-shorter-goldfish/.

“Why Reading Paper Books Is Better.” Serious Reading, 21 Nov. 2015, seriousreading.com/blog/278-why-reading-paper-books-is-better.html.

“Why You Need to Take More Breaks (And How to Do It).” Social Triggers, socialtriggers.com/why-you-need-to-take-more-breaks-and-how-to-do-it/.