In achieving academic excellence as a student, you should;
1. Know yourself.
Find out when, where and how best to assimilate when reading and use it wisely. Do not walk in the shoes of other people, nor be a cat-copy. If you’re the type that assimilates well throughout the day, plan your time and make your day less strenuous and free. Don’t join other players all day long. If they make use of their nights, you can never say. If you assimilate well at night, sleep throughout the day so that at night you’ll be wide awake.
2. Establish a good habit of study.
Notes and assignments are not to be left until the day after. On the day it is given, assignments should be made. Students should see that without reading what they’re taught for the day, they don’t sleep. Notes should be coupled with related reading materials and textbooks. Before and after each lecture, students should read. Notes should not be stacked until proximity of examination or test in order to achieve success as a student.
3. Utilize the libraries and research.
For more knowledge and information, use the libraries and research centers. The libraries should use books, textbooks, journals and other related academic materials. You can also search for more materials online, Google is your friend.
4. Study in a conducive reading environment.
The students abode should be the school libraries and the study should be in a quiet environment free of any form of distraction. Because of the lack of distraction, less time will be spent on studying coupled with achieving high assimilation rate.
5. Managing time.
Time in one’s life is an important factor and it’s essential as time waits for no one. We all have a day of 24 hours, same hours available to the successful ones as well. So students are required to plan their day and manage their time. The activities in the day must be planned and strictly followed in order to achieve a fulfilled day. With the activities of the day clearly outlined, twenty-four hours time table can be drafted. Time to study, siesta, assignment and other activities such as house chores should be allocated.
6. Set and work towards realistic goals.
At the beginning of a new term or session, goals should be set. Desired grades should be written and worked towards in each course. The objectives should be realistic. Setting goals is not enough, they should be diligently monitored. If necessary, midnight candles should be burned to achieve the objectives set.
7. Engage in extra-curricular activities.
All work and no play makes Jack a doll boy, so social activities and additional school activities such as sports, birthday parties and so on should be given time. These activities will enhance social interaction, enable students to meet new friends with the same purpose, expose themselves to other ways of life and educational opportunities. Their studies should not be interfering with this. In the social life of a student there should be moderation.
8. Adequate examination preparation.
It is necessary to prepare for tests and examinations. Preparation should begin at school right from the first day, not when the exam is near. All notes should be read, important points should be memorized, solutions should be applied to assignments, no stone should be left unturned. Notes after examinations should not be disposed of, but should be kept for future purposes and reference.
9. Write all tests and examinations.
All tests impromptu or not, should be taken with levity. You may not know which one is going to be used by your teacher. All testing, class work and examination forms should be well written. To write the exam, students should be present. If there is a need to be absent, teachers should be informed and permission should be granted to be absent. This allows the grace for a test or examination of make-up. If the reason is genuine and the student in question is not known to be a truant, the teachers may decide to postpone the examination for the student’s sake.
10. Have a career mentor.
Students always have the ones they are looking out for. They may be their parents, teachers, religion leaders or leaders of politics. For guidance, advice, and encouragement, there is a need to move closer to these people. They play some roles in goal setting and career choice to stay focused on future goals
