Let’s get one thing straight before we start – varsity is worlds apart from school. So the chance of you getting the “straight A’s” you are used to is pretty slim. Even the most brilliant of our past students have been cock-sure that this applies to "other" students. But repeat after me:
“I will fail something.”
The good news is that failure is a vital part of success.
“Failure is an important part of your growth and developing resilience. Don’t be afraid to fail.” Michelle Obama
Steps to Academic Success H2
Here are our tried and tested methods for thriving in the tertiary academic space:
- Know Thyself
Be 100% clear on why you are doing this. What motivates you. What distracts you. How to manage yourself when things aren’t going swimmingly - quack!
To stay dedicated, to put in the effort, to remain focused will require you to dig deep. You can do this. It is just a matter of how much effort you are willing put into it –10/10 focus when reading without distractions; 10/10 attention during lectures; 10/10 commitment to your schedule; 10/10 dedication without excuses.
2. Set a Schedule
Without a plan of what you want to accomplish, it is oh-too-easy to get side-tracked and waylaid. One of the biggest differences between school and university is the workload. And the only way to manage that is to use your time strategically.
Sundays are a great day to plan for the week ahead. Part of this involves deciding when you should work on something and for how long.
Remember to schedule in time for chores such as laundry and meals; 6 – 8 hours of sleep; your commute; and time out to relax with friends. Yes! These are going to be some of the best years of your life, and you want to be able to enjoy them. By scheduling in time to socialise, you can do so without guilt.
If you set a schedule and write it out, you are more likely to stick to it and it will help to hold you accountable to your studies.
3. Care for Yourself
Forget neck and shoulder massages, the number one way to care for yourself while you are studying is to ensure you get the right amount of sleep. Too little sleep, and your brain has no chance to process what you have learned. Too much sleep, and your body and mind become sluggish.
Manage your time effectively by scheduling in adequate sleep. (Note: sleeping does not mean playing on your phone in bed!)
Next in student self-care is diet and exercise. You cannot learn on an empty stomach and you already know what the healthy choices are. But the convenience of grabbing a Chelsea bun or packet of crisps can cloud your judgement. Watch out for our blogs on brain foods, and in the meantime, make the healthy, adult choices.
Drinking 2 litres of water a day is vital to keeping your brain lubricated. Invest in a reusable water bottle and sip-sip-sip throughout the day. If you find yourself needing to pee too often, just hang in there – your bladder will quickly get used to your habit.
"Don't forget to drink water and get some sun. You're basically a houseplant with more complicated emotions." Unknown
Exercise needn’t replicate a DJ Zinhle gym outfit and personal trainer. Simply take the stairs instead of the lift, walk briskly rather than strolling, do squats while you brush your teeth. Again, this is about more than just looking good – exercise boosts your blood supply, including to your brain.
4. Step Ahead
The night before a lecture, read through the work that will be covered. Make notes from your textbook, take those notes to class, and add to them from what your lecturer says.
The Dux Advantage
“We often overestimate what we can do in a short time with big changes and underestimate what we can do in a long time with small changes.” Robyn Conley Downs
If you are looking for a launchpad for the extraordinary, look no further than Dux. We specialise in giving all the support needed for the increased mental health and wellbeing you need in order to flourish academically and in life. Contact us today, and get your ducks in a row: 060.656.1305 |info@duxpd.co.za
Dux | dʌks | noun ”The top pupil in a class.”
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