Successful Habit # 7 – We are what we repeatedly do…

One quote I use frequently in my classes, especially Learning Strategies, is by Aristotle.  I often get kidded about using quotes by dead people instead of someone from current pop culture (especially by the younger faculty members!), but you just can’t beat this idea! 

We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.

Think back on the last 24 hours.  How did you spend most of your time?  What do those choices say about who you are?

Admittedly I like routine and I don’t necessarily like change or variety, so it is easy for me to structure my time to work on the things that I want or need to do.  If you like flexibility and spontaneity, schedule in that time or change up where or how you study.   But if you put something important off and tell yourself you will do it “when you have the time” you will never get it done.

For the college student, one challenge is that each semester is a new class schedule and they have to develop new habits to accomplish their goals.   At the beginning of each semester decide when to study, exercise, relax, etc. and then start that schedule the first week of classes.  Some things that we have looked at in past blogs that should be built in are:

·       Attend EVERY class

·       Review notes after EVERY class

·       Attend any tutoring or Supplemental Instruction available

·       Read the textbook or assignment before class

·       Look at the syllabus every class

·       Write down all assignments

·       Be in the habit of ALWAYS doing your best.  That way you will be able to do your best when it counts.

The list does seem daunting, but once you are in the HABIT of doing this it will seem easy and natural!

Now that you have developed successful habits, the next several blogs will deal with the ingredients to successful learning and how they can be built into your study repertoire.  Keep learning!

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First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.   Click on the upper right link.