5 Bad Study Habits That Will Ruin Your GPA

The college experience can be a wonderful time in anyone’s life. At the same time, getting through the more challenging courses can be stressful and difficult. For those that are looking to do well in school, forming good habits when it comes to studying is very important. For those that are looking to improve their study habits and grades, there are five bad study habits that should be avoided as they could ruin your GPA.

Procrastinating

One of the biggest mistakes that students make when it comes to studying is procrastinating. At the beginning of the semester, mid-term and final exams can seem like they are very far away and students may avoid doing any work at all for the first few weeks of the semester. However, these exams do tend to sneak up on you quicker than you would otherwise realize. If you are not studying along the way, you may spend too much time catching up. Instead, you should try to do a little bit of work each week during the semester. This will help you to avoid late-night panicked study sessions as you prepare for the exams.

Choosing the Wrong Environment

Another common mistake made comes when a student chooses the wrong environment for their studying. Having the right environment is very important. Ideally, you should find a location where it is brightly-lit and quiet. Unfortunately, many popular campus studying spots tend to get crowded and loud. You should look for a location that has quiet rules in place, which will allow you to focus.

Not Using the Right Resources

Another mistake that a lot of students will make is not using the right resources. While you can spend time reading the textbook, doing old homework assignments and working with others in your class, it may not be enough and there are other resources that could help. One great option would be to use the help of an online homework and tutoring service. When you use these services, you will have constant access to materials, resources and direct support that could help you to master the classwork. They could also help you to be more efficient, which will provide you with more time for other parts of the college experience.

Poor Note Taking

When you are going to study, one of the best tools that you could have would be your own notes. Unfortunately, many students find it difficult to take notes and listen at the same time. Anyone that is looking to take notes has options for improving this. One option would be to receive a recording of the class or asking the professor to share a recording. You should also share notes with a classmate to ensure you did not miss anything.

Having the Wrong Study Partner

Choosing a study partner is a very big decision for anyone. One mistake that a lot of people make is the decision to pick a partner that they are friends with. While you could have fun together, these study partners make it too easy to spend the whole night socializing. Instead, you should find someone that is serious about school and has the same goals that you do. Another option would be to use online resources to find study partners and teachers that could provide great support.

When you are looking to improve grades, having good study habits is very important. While good habits are important, it is just as important to avoid bad habits. By avoiding these five habits, you could become more organized and do better in school.