essay on how to become a better student

How to Be a Better Student: Effective Study Habits and Tips

By: Author Paul Jenkins

Posted on April 6, 2024

Categories Self Improvement , Education , Inspiration

Striving for academic success is a commendable goal, and becoming a better student is within your reach with the right strategies and mindset. It all starts with effective study techniques and smart time management. By selecting a quiet place to study without distractions , you’re setting the stage for better focus and retention. Remember, the frequency and quality of your study sessions are more influential to your grades than just their duration.

To enhance your learning, it’s not only about hitting the books but also engaging with the material in a constructive way. Asking questions and seeking clarification when you don’t understand ensures you’re not just memorizing information but truly comprehending it.

Developing a positive attitude towards your studies can transform your educational experience. You’ll find that goal setting and completing assignments punctually will contribute to your sense of accomplishment and encourage a sustained commitment to academic excellence.

Your journey to becoming a better student also involves self-care and knowing when to reach out for support. Balancing study time with activities that promote mental health is crucial. If you find yourself struggling, don’t hesitate to ask for help . Tutors, study groups, and academic resources are available to guide you, and they can make a significant difference in how you manage your workload and stress.

By building a network of support and adopting effective study habits, you’re paving the way to becoming a better student and achieving the academic success you’re aiming for.

Setting Academic Goals

Achieving academic success begins with setting clear and attainable objectives that guide your educational journey. Careful planning and regular assessments will keep you on track as you navigate through your courses and academic requirements.

Understand Your Major

Get to know the core requirements of your major; this will provide a roadmap for your education. Whether you’re studying engineering, literature, or any other field, familiarize yourself with the essential courses and experiences that will contribute to your proficiency.

Define Realistic Goals

Setting realistic goals ensures that they are achievable and aligned with your abilities and commitments. Use the SMART criteria to craft goals that are:

• Specific : Clearly define what you want to accomplish.
• Measurable : Determine how you will measure your success.
• Attainable : Make sure it’s possible to achieve the goals with the resources you have.
• Relevant : Ensure your goals are pertinent to your major and future aspirations.
• Time-bound : Set a deadline for when you want to achieve your goals.

Review Progress Regularly

Regularly reviewing your progress toward your goals allows you to adapt and make changes as needed. Set aside time each week or month to reflect on your achievements and challenges, and adjust your goals accordingly to maintain a realistic approach to your academic growth.

Creating an Effective Study Plan

Crafting an effective study plan is a key component of academic success. It involves structured scheduling, regular breaks to refresh your mind, and collaborative learning through study groups.

Draft a Study Schedule

Begin by setting up a study schedule that aligns with your time management goals and daily routine . Using a calendar or planner , block out specific times each day dedicated to studying. This structure should reflect when you are most alert and productive, ensuring that your study sessions are efficient. For example:

• Monday – Wednesday – Friday: 9 am – 11 am (Math)
• Tuesday – Thursday: 2 pm – 4 pm (History)

Incorporate Study Breaks

To maintain focus and prevent burnout, it’s important to include short, regular breaks within your study schedule. Aim for a 5-10 minute break after every 30-45 minutes of study time. These pauses serve as a mental reset, allowing you to return to your materials with a clear mind.

Join Study Groups

Participating in study groups can enhance your learning experience. It encourages you to engage in different perspectives and reinforces your knowledge through discussion and explanation. Look for group members who are committed and have similar academic aspirations, which will help keep your sessions productive.

Optimizing Your Study Space and Time

Creating an effective study space and managing your time wisely are crucial for academic success. Focus on finding a quiet area, reducing disruptions, and controlling notifications to enhance concentration.

Choose a Quiet Place

To maximize focus , select a study space away from high-traffic areas where noise is minimal. A quiet room or a secluded corner in a library can be ideal. Ensure this area is consistently available to associate it with studying and productivity.

Minimize Distractions

Remove potential distractions from your study area. This means turning off the television and keeping your study space clutter-free. A well-organized desk can prevent unnecessary distractions and keep you immersed in your studies.

Manage Notifications

In today’s digital age, smartphones are a major source of distraction. Manage your notifications by either silencing your phone or using apps to block interruptions during study sessions. This will help you maintain a high level of concentration and prevent breaks in your focus.

Developing Good Study Habits

Mastering good study habits is key to making your learning journey both successful and enjoyable. Active engagement with material, honing your note-taking skills, and consistent review can transform how effectively you study.

Active Learning

Active learning involves you taking charge of your educational experience. To engage actively, participate in discussions, ask questions, and seek to apply knowledge in practical scenarios. Study groups and hands-on projects can be particularly beneficial, as they encourage you to process and use information in real-time, leading to a deeper understanding.

• Break down complex topics into manageable parts to better understand them.
• Use mnemonic devices to memorize facts and terms.
• Teach others what you’ve learned; explaining concepts can reinforce your knowledge.

Effective Note-Taking

Your note-taking strategy should allow you to identify key points quickly and efficiently.

• Always head your notes with relevant details : date, topic, chapter number.
• Use bullet points or numbered lists to structure information.
• Highlight important terms in italic or bold for easy reference.
• Develop a system of symbols and abbreviations to save time.

Consider reviewing notes soon after class to retain the information better, capitalizing on the benefits of a strategy like the 27 Good Study Habits of Straight-A Students .

Regular Review and Practice Tests

Reviewing material regularly and taking practice tests are among the most effective study habits you can cultivate.

• Schedule brief review sessions each week, rather than waiting to cram before an exam.
• Make use of practice tests to evaluate what you know and what needs more attention.

Revisiting material in spaced intervals is a strategy supported by psychological research, making retention more successful. For more detailed insight, explore the psychological underpinnings of this and other strategies in the article 11 Good Study Habits to Develop .

Regular review and practice tests not only build your confidence but also highlight areas you need to focus on, ensuring that you utilize your study time as effectively as possible.

Enhancing Learning Techniques

To optimize your study habits, it’s crucial to harness a range of learning techniques tailored to your personal style. Enhance your academic performance by identifying your individual learning style, adopting effective memorization strategies, and engaging in active reading techniques.

Identify Your Learning Style

Understanding your learning style is fundamental in enhancing how you absorb and process information. Are you a visual learner who benefits from diagrams and color-coded notes? Or perhaps you excel as an auditory learner through listening to lectures or discussing topics out loud. Some learners thrive on physical actions or hands-on experience, making them kinesthetic learners. Pinpointing your style will allow you to adjust your study methods for maximum efficacy .

Utilize Memorization Strategies

Next, focus on memorization strategies that reinforce your retention. Techniques such as the ‘Chunking’ method, where you break down information into smaller, manageable units, can greatly improve memory recall.

For instance, when remembering a long string of numbers, group them into chunks rather than trying to memorize the whole sequence. Association is another powerful tool; by connecting new information to something you already know, you create mental bridges that help you recall the details later.

Engage in Active Reading

Finally, active reading is essential for deep comprehension and long-term learning. Start by previewing the chapter headings, subheadings, and summary information to get a roadmap of what you’ll be learning.

As you read, ask yourself questions, summarize passages in your own words, and highlight or underline key points. This strategy transforms passive reading into an interactive experience, enabling you to engage with the material more profoundly. Make sure to review your notes soon after to reinforce the concepts in your mind.

Participating Actively in Academics

To excel academically, it’s important for you to immerse yourself fully in the educational experience. This means not just being present in the classroom but also engaging deeply with your professors and classmates to enrich your learning journey.

Attend All Classes

Consistency is key. Make it your top priority to attend all classes. Not only does this exposure to lectures give you valuable information, but it also offers opportunities to participate in discussions, which has been linked to improved educational outcomes . Remember, each class is a chance to:

• Absorb new material
• Clarify doubts by asking questions in real time

Engage with Professors

Your professors are your guides through the complex landscape of academia. Engage with them by:

• Visiting during office hours to explore topics in more depth
• Asking thoughtful questions to demonstrate your interest and understanding

These actions not only show your commitment but also allow you to develop a professional rapport with your teachers, which can be vital for your academic advancement.

Build Relationships with Peers

Strike up conversations with your classmates to form study groups or discuss lecture materials. Your peers can provide diverse perspectives that enhance your own understanding of subjects. Collaborative learning approaches have proven to be effective, as shared by Along , and building these relationships can also lead to lasting friendships. In the classroom, try to:

• Contribute to group discussions
• Support others when they ask questions or need clarification

By actively participating in each of these areas, you’ll find yourself becoming not just a better student, but a well-rounded academic individual.

Utilizing Academic Resources

Making the most of academic resources can significantly enhance your educational journey. It’s important to remember that you have access to a variety of tools designed to support your learning process. Here’s how you can leverage some of these valuable assets.

Make Use of the Library

Your library is a treasure trove of knowledge with stacks filled with books on virtually every subject. Start by familiarizing yourself with the library catalog to find materials relevant to your courses. But don’t stop there; explore the library’s database subscriptions for scholarly articles, historical documents, and special collections that can offer deeper insights into your field of study.

• Search and Research: Utilize the search tools provided to find books and articles for your assignments.
• Study Spaces: Find a quiet corner or group study room to focus on your work without distractions.

Seek Help from Tutors

Tutors can be instrumental in your academic growth. Don’t hesitate to ask for help when you’re struggling with a concept or a specific subject. Tutoring services often include one-on-one sessions, group tutoring, and even online assistance to cater to your learning style and schedule.

• One-on-One Sessions: Ideal for personalized attention to tackle challenging subjects.
• Group Tutoring: A great way to learn collaboratively and gain different perspectives.

Explore Online Resources

In today’s digital age, you have the advantage of accessing a wide array of online resources . From academic journals to interactive tutorials, you can find countless tools online to complement your studies. Online forums and educational platforms offer opportunities for engaging with peers and professionals from your field of interest.

• Educational Platforms: Websites like Coursera and Khan Academy offer free courses on a variety of topics.
• Interactive Tools: Use virtual simulations and interactive quizzes to test your knowledge and understanding.

Balancing School with Other Activities

Successfully managing your time as a student means finding the right mix of academics, extracurricular activities, sports, and social interactions. It’s about striking a balance that allows you to excel in school while also taking care of your health and enjoying life.

Participate in Extracurricular Activities

Engaging in extracurricular activities can enhance your school experience by developing new skills and passions. Choose activities that align with your interests and goals. For example, joining a debate club could sharpen your public speaking skills, while being part of a robotics team might ignite a love for engineering. Prioritize and limit your activities to those that are truly meaningful to you, preventing overcommitment.

• Choose Wisely : Select activities that truly interest you, not just what looks good on a resume.
• Time Allocation : Dedicate specific hours each week to these activities and adhere to them.

Fit in Time for Sports and Exercise

Physical activity is crucial for maintaining good health. Integrate sports or exercise into your weekly routine to help relieve stress and keep your body strong. This doesn’t mean you need to spend hours at the gym—find something enjoyable that fits into your schedule, like a quick jog between classes or a team sport with friends after school.

• Weekly Schedule : Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, as recommended by health guidelines.
• Fun Factor : Choose an activity that you enjoy so it becomes a highlight of your day, not a chore.

Maintain Social Relationships

Your social life is an important part of your overall well-being. Achieving academic success doesn’t mean sacrificing time with friends and family. It’s about managing your time efficiently to fit in important social interactions . Whether it’s a quick coffee with a friend or a family dinner, ensure to carve out time for these relationships.

• Quality Over Quantity : It’s not about the number of social events you attend, but the quality of the interactions you have.
• Plan Ahead : Use a planner to schedule in time for social events, just as you would with your academic work and other commitments.

Staying Motivated and Managing Stress

Maintaining enthusiasm for your studies can significantly impact your academic success, while effective stress management ensures you stay composed and ready to tackle challenges. Here’s how you can set goals, reward your progress, and keep stress at bay through proven techniques.

Set and Celebrate Achievements

Identify clear, attainable goals for each study session or semester. When you set realistic goals , you give yourself a clear roadmap of what you’re aiming to accomplish. After reaching a milestone, take a moment to celebrate your success—this will boost your morale and motivate you to keep pushing forward.

Develop a Reward System

Incentivize your hard work by establishing a reward system . For each target, you hit, whether it’s finishing an assignment early or acing a test, reward yourself with something enjoyable. It could be as simple as a favorite snack or an episode of a TV show. This strategy keeps your motivation levels high and makes studying more enjoyable.

Practice Relaxation Techniques

Incorporate relaxation techniques into your routine to manage stress efficiently. Taking short breaks to meditate can replenish your mental energy. Additionally, practices like deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation can lower stress levels and help maintain focus during study time.

Improving Through Feedback

Feedback is a powerful tool that can fuel your academic growth and enhance your skills. By learning to use feedback effectively, you can turn mistakes into stepping stones for success, proactively seek guidance, and take advantage of extra credit opportunities to advance your knowledge.

Learn from Mistakes

Identify your errors : After receiving feedback, take the time to understand what went wrong. Review your work and note the areas that need improvement. To aid your learning, create a simple chart to track common mistakes and their corrective actions.

Ask for and Act on Feedback

Actively engage with feedback : After you’ve received feedback, whether it’s from a teacher or peer, don’t just acknowledge it—act on it. List the key takeaways and create actionable goals.

• Update your study plan with specific objectives
• Rewrite or redo an assignment incorporating the feedback
• Schedule a meeting with your teacher if you need to ask for help to understand the feedback better

Seek Extra Credit Opportunities

Go the extra mile : If you’re looking to boost your grades or deepen your understanding, keep an eye out for extra credit projects. These assignments can provide a platform for you to:

• Demonstrate your commitment to the subject
• Apply feedback received on previous work
• Explore topics that are beyond the curriculum, which can spark new interests and show your initiative in learning

Remember that improvement is a continuous process , and leveraging feedback is key to becoming an effective learner.

Preparing for Class and Tests

To excel as a student, it’s crucial to be proactive about your learning process. This means not only being present in class but also arriving ready to engage and understand the material. Let’s focus on how you can best prepare before stepping into the classroom or sitting down for a test.

Make a Checklist Before Class

Start by creating a checklist of what you’ll need for class. This should include:

• Your textbooks
• Notebooks or loose-leaf paper for taking notes
• Writing utensils
• Any completed homework
• Questions you have about past material

Crossing off each item gives you a clear visual confirmation that you’re ready to learn.

Review Materials in Advance

Always review the material you’ll be covering in class beforehand. That means skimming through the chapter, reviewing past notes, or looking over assignments. Regular review sessions can dramatically improve your retention of information, enabling you to participate more actively and sit in the front row with confidence.

Show Up Prepared

Coming to class prepared is more than just bringing the right materials; it encompasses:

• Showing up on time
• Sitting in a spot where you can thoroughly engage, like the front row
• Setting a positive mindset for learning

Remember, taking notes is integral to your success. It helps cement the information you hear and provides an excellent basis for when it’s time to study hard for tests.

Adopting Healthy Lifestyle Habits

Adopting healthy lifestyle habits is crucial for being a successful student. Focusing on your health by getting sufficient sleep, eating well, taking mindful breaks, staying active and hydrated, can significantly boost your productivity and focus.

Prioritize Sleep and Nutrition

Sleep is the foundation of good health. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to ensure your brain functions optimally. Your diet also plays a critical role in maintaining high energy levels and concentration. Start your day with a balanced breakfast and include plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains in your meals. A study has shown the linkage between student health and their academic performance, emphasizing the importance of proper nutrition and rest.

Take Regular Healthy Breaks

Incorporate short, healthy breaks throughout your study sessions. This can mean a brisk walk, a few stretches, or a calming meditation. These breaks help to clear your mind, reduce stress, and improve your focus when you return to your tasks. Structured breaks are key, so consider the Pomodoro Technique : 25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break.

Stay Hydrated and Active

Hydration is crucial for cognitive function. You should drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily. Carry a water bottle to remind yourself to drink regularly. To stay active , incorporate simple exercises like walking to class or using the stairs. Regular physical activity can boost your mood and energy , helping you stay more engaged with your studies.

Navigating Advanced Courses and College Work

Facing advanced courses and college work can be a challenge, but with the right mindset and strategies, you can thrive. Below, you’ll find specialized advice to approach hard classes, develop effective study strategies, and engage with your college community.

Approach Hard Classes with a Positive Mindset

Embrace the challenge of hard classes by recognizing that they offer unique opportunities for growth and learning. Begin by setting realistic goals for each course and remind yourself of your ability to improve through dedication and resilience.

Develop College-Level Study Strategies

Your college experience will be marked by independently managing a lot of information. To excel, hone your study skills by:

• Time Management: Use a planner to track assignments and deadlines. Block out study time for each class, treating it like a fixed appointment.
• Active Learning: Engage actively with material through summarization, concept maps, and teaching the material to others.
• Regular Review: Spaced repetition, where you review notes and readings at scheduled intervals, is key for long-term retention.

Connect with the College Community

The strategies for academic success aren’t limited to solitary study sessions. Engage with your college’s community to enhance your learning:

• Study Groups: Join or form study groups to gain new perspectives and insights on the course material.
• Academic Advising: Seek out advisors and professors during office hours for guidance on course selection and academic pursuits.
• Campus Resources: Utilize libraries, writing centers, and tutoring services that can provide support and enrichment for your courses.

Leveraging Technology for Learning

Embracing technology can transform your learning experience by providing you with innovative tools and resources that are designed to enhance your understanding and efficiency. Here are some specific ways you can incorporate technology into your study routine.

Use Educational Apps and Tools

You have a world of information at your fingertips with educational apps and tools. For instance, apps like Khan Academy offer free lessons in a variety of subjects, allowing you to learn at your own pace. Additionally, project management tools like Trello can help you organize your assignments and break down large projects into manageable tasks.

Set Reminders and Alarms

Your smartphone or computer can serve as an excellent academic assistant. Use it to set reminders for important dates and deadlines. By setting alarms , you can also allocate specific time blocks dedicated to studying, ensuring that you make the most of your time without forgetting any of your academic commitments.

Access Online Study Aids

There are numerous online study aids that can supplement your learning. Websites like Quizlet provide flashcards on various subjects which help in reinforcing your knowledge. Additionally, platforms like Coursera or edX give you access to college-level courses, often for free, enabling you to delve deeper into your chosen field of study.

Mastering Time Management and Organization

To become a more successful student, enhancing your time management skills and staying organized are essential. This section will assist you in creating effective habits to structure your study time and organize your tasks.

Establish a Daily Routine

Developing a daily routine is vital for maintaining consistent progress. Begin by mapping out your day with clear time blocks dedicated to studying, attending classes, and personal activities. This structure ensures that you allocate ample time for each responsibility, reducing the likelihood of last-minute cramming.

• Morning: Set a wake-up time that allows for a morning ritual to prepare for the day.
• Afternoon: Block periods for classes, followed by review sessions where the information is still fresh.
• Evening: Reserve time for homework and longer study sessions, along with breaks to recharge.

Use Planners and Timers

A planner is a powerful tool to visually organize your tasks, assignments, and deadlines. Daily and weekly calendars can help you plan ahead and stay on track. Pairing this with a timer during study sessions cultivates focused, efficient learning periods, with short breaks to avoid burnout.

• Outline your week every Sunday to anticipate what’s coming.
• Highlight important dates and tasks.
• Try the Pomodoro Technique: 25 minutes of work followed by a 5-minute break.

Follow Directions and Instructions

Always follow directions carefully whether for assignments, projects, or exams. Careful reading of the instructions can save you time and prevent errors. When in doubt, ask for clarification to ensure that you are on the right path.

• Read through the directions twice before starting.
• Look for keywords to understand the task’s requirements.

By incorporating these strategies into your student life, you can increase your efficiency and effectiveness, allowing for a well-balanced academic experience.

Embracing effective study tips is crucial for your improvement and success in school . First, fine-tune your time management skills; allocate specific hours for study and stick to them. Your consistency will pay off.

Remember, good students aren’t just born; they’re made through perseverance. Cultivate a growth mindset that sees challenges as opportunities to learn. This attitude will serve you well beyond your school years.

Use active learning strategies:

• Make summary notes in your own words.
• Discuss topics with peers.
• Teach concepts you’ve learned to someone else.

Stay organized with a planner or a digital app to track assignments and deadlines. It’s easier to prioritize tasks when you can see your week at a glance. Check off completed tasks for a sense of accomplishment.

Form or join study groups. Sharing insights and questions with classmates can enhance your understanding and make learning more enjoyable.

Stay healthy; a well-rested mind is key to retention and cognitive function. Prioritize sleep, nutrition, and exercise.

Lastly, don’t hesitate to seek help. Your teachers and tutors are there to guide you. Reach out when you’re struggling to grasp a concept.

By adopting these habits and maintaining a positive outlook, you set yourself on a path toward not just academic excellence, but a lifetime of learning.

Essay on Being A Better Student

Students are often asked to write an essay on Being A Better Student in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Being A Better Student

The importance of discipline.

Being a better student starts with discipline. This means following rules, doing homework on time, and respecting others. Discipline helps you stay focused on your studies and goals. It also shows your teachers and classmates that you are serious about learning.

Time Management

Time management is very important. It helps you organize your day so that you have enough time for studying, playing, and resting. Make a daily plan and stick to it. This way, you will not feel rushed or stressed about your school work.

Active Participation

To be a better student, you should take part in class. Ask questions if you do not understand something. Share your ideas and listen to others. This will help you learn more and improve your communication skills.

Healthy Habits

Eating healthy food, getting enough sleep, and doing exercise are also important. These habits keep your body and brain strong. They help you concentrate better in class and remember what you learn.

Positive Attitude

Lastly, keep a positive attitude. Believe in yourself and your ability to learn. Do not be afraid to make mistakes because they are part of the learning process. Remember, being a better student is about improving yourself and enjoying your learning journey.

250 Words Essay on Being A Better Student

Introduction.

Being a better student is a goal many strive for. It’s not just about getting good grades, but it also involves learning life skills and growing as a person. Here are some ways to become a better student.

Be Organized

One of the most important steps to becoming a better student is being organized. Keeping your study materials in order and having a clear plan for your tasks will help you study better. Use a planner to track homework and study times.

Taking part in class is another key step. This means listening carefully, asking questions, and sharing your thoughts. Active participation helps you understand the topic better and remember it for a longer time.

Study Regularly

Studying should not be left for the last minute. Regular study helps you understand topics deeply and reduces stress. Try to study a little bit every day instead of cramming all at once.

Healthy Lifestyle

Good health is important for good learning. Eating healthy food, getting enough sleep, and regular exercise can help your brain work better. Remember, a healthy body is home to a healthy mind.

Respect Everyone

Being respectful to teachers, classmates, and everyone around you is a sign of a good student. Respect helps create a positive environment for learning and growth.

Being a better student involves more than just studying hard. It’s about being organized, actively participating, studying regularly, living a healthy lifestyle, and being respectful. These steps can help you not just in school, but also in life.

500 Words Essay on Being A Better Student

Being a better student is a goal that many young people aim for. It’s about more than just getting good grades. It’s about learning new things, growing as a person, and preparing for the future. Here are some ways to become a better student.

Pay Attention in Class

The first step to being a better student is to pay attention in class. This means listening to your teacher, taking notes, and asking questions when you don’t understand something. Don’t let your mind wander or get distracted by other things. If you focus on what’s being taught, you’ll find it easier to understand and remember the information.

Do Your Homework

Homework might seem boring, but it’s a key part of learning. It helps you practice what you’ve learned in class and prepare for tests. Make sure to do your homework each day, even if it’s hard or you don’t feel like it. If you’re having trouble with a task, ask your teacher or a classmate for help.

Studying isn’t something you should only do before a test. It’s a good idea to study a little bit each day. This will help you remember the information better and reduce stress when exams come around. Try different study methods to see what works best for you. Some people like to read notes out loud, while others prefer to draw diagrams or use flashcards.

Take Care of Your Health

Your health is important for being a good student. If you’re not feeling well, it’s hard to focus on your studies. Make sure to eat healthy foods, get enough sleep, and do some physical activity each day. These things will help keep your body and mind in good shape.

Have a Positive Attitude

Your attitude can make a big difference in your studies. If you think positively and believe in yourself, you’re more likely to do well. Don’t get discouraged if you find something difficult. Keep trying and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Remember, every mistake is a chance to learn something new.

Being a better student takes time and effort, but it’s worth it. By paying attention in class, doing your homework, studying regularly, taking care of your health, and having a positive attitude, you can improve your grades and learn more effectively. Remember, the goal isn’t just to get good grades, but to learn and grow as a person. So, keep working hard, stay positive, and strive to be the best student you can be!

(Word count: 500)

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Essential Strategies to Help You Become an Outstanding Student

• Community Involvement
• An Introduction to Teaching
• Tips & Strategies
• Policies & Discipline
• School Administration
• Technology in the Classroom
• Teaching Adult Learners
• Issues In Education
• Teaching Resources
• Becoming A Teacher
• Assessments & Tests
• Elementary Education
• Secondary Education
• Special Education
• Homeschooling
• M.Ed., Educational Administration, Northeastern State University
• B.Ed., Elementary Education, Oklahoma State University

More than anything, teachers want to see growth and improvement from their students. They understand that their classroom is filled with learners of many different levels of ability and just want each student to become better versions of themselves. A teacher's job is to differentiate instruction to provide each student with an education that meets their individual needs—this is challenging, but effective teachers make it happen.

Though highly effective teaching is important, it is not the sole responsibility of the teacher to ensure that students are performing well. After all, teachers cannot ultimately control how much effort students are putting forth. Teachers are there to guide, not force.

Students must come prepared to absorb knowledge and try their hardest to apply what they are learning to their lives. Every student experiences school differently, but each of them can improve and become a better student if they try. Becoming an outstanding student can make you much more successful in every area of school, from relationships with teachers to academics.

Try these strategies to become an outstanding student if there is room for improvement in your life.

Ask Questions

This could not get any simpler. If you do not understand something, ask the teacher for help—that's why they are there. Don't ever be afraid or embarrassed to ask a question, this is how you learn. Chances are, several other students have the same question.

Be Positive

Teachers love to work with students who are pleasant and positive. Having a positive attitude will directly impact your learning. Though there will always be bad days and subjects you don't enjoy, it is important to let positivity permeate everything you do. This will make school more enjoyable for you and you will find success easier to achieve.

Follow Directions

Following directions and instructions is an essential aspect of being a good student—not doing so leads to mistakes and poor grades. Always listen carefully and take thorough notes when a teacher is giving instructions and explaining something, especially new material. Read written directions at least two times and ask for clarification if you still don't get it.

Complete Assignments/Homework

Every assignment should be completed to the best of your ability and turned in to the teacher on time. There are two negative outcomes when work is not completed: you miss out on important learning opportunities and your overall grade is lowered. To avoid learning gaps and poor scores, do your homework no matter what. It may not be fun, but it is an essential part of school and learning that excellent students do not skip.

Do More Than Is Required

The best students go above and beyond, often doing more than the minimum. If the teacher assigns 20 problems, they do 25. They seek out learning opportunities and are excited to learn. Try doing extra research about ideas that intrigue you, finding your own ways to practice, and asking the teacher for extra credit opportunities to become a better student.

Establish a Routine

A structured routine after school can help you maintain academic focus at home. Your routine should include a designated time and place for homework and studying that you can count on each day. The goal is to minimize distractions and make a commitment to prioritize completing assignments over other activities. A routine for getting ready for school each morning can also be beneficial.

You should always set academic goals for yourself that apply to both short- and long-term learning. Whether one of your goals is to attend college someday or you just want to get a good grade on an upcoming test, it is important to self-direct your accomplishments. Goals will help you to maintain focus throughout your education so that you always remember what you are working toward.

Maintain Focus

Good students know how to stay focused in the face of distractions. They know that they are responsible for their own learning and do not let other people or situations stand in the way of that. They make academics a priority and keep their sights set on their long-term educational goals.

Stay Organized

Your level of organization directly influences your level of success in school. Try keeping your locker and backpack neat and tidy as well as recording all assignments and important deadlines in a planner or notebook. You will find that school becomes easier to manage when you can find and keep track of things.

Read, Read, Read

Good students are often bookworms. Reading is the foundation of learning, after all. Strong readers are always looking for opportunities to increase their fluency and comprehension by picking books that are entertaining and challenging. Set goals for yourself and check your understanding as you read to instantly improve your reading skills.

Study Hard and Study Often

Developing solid study skills is a great way to be the best student you can be. Learning does not begin and end with the delivery of information—your brain needs time to shift new information into your long-term memory if you are going to have any chance of remembering it when you need to. Studying helps to anchor concepts into your brain so that information can fully crystallize.

Take Challenging Classes

Learn to feel comfortable being challenged. A healthy amount of challenge grows your brain and it is better to experience difficulty than to coast through school. Push yourself to achieve goals that are harder for you to reach for larger pay-offs in the long-run than easy courses will grant you. If you are able, select tough classes that will really make you think (within reason).

Get a Tutor

If you find that there is an area in which you struggle excessively, getti ng a tutor might be the answer. Tutoring can give you the one-on-one help that you need to make sense of difficult courses and concepts. Ask your teacher for tutor recommendations and remember that there is nothing wrong with needing extra help.

• 10 Characteristics of Great Students
• Small Group Instruction
• Strategies for Building Rapport With Students
• Strategies to Handle a Disruptive Student
• 10 Questions to Ask Yourself to Design Your Educational Philosophy
• Classroom Procedures
• Write IEP Goals for Healthy Student Work Habits
• 15 Exceptional Things Great Teachers Do Well
• 4 Tips for Effective Classroom Management
• Collecting Homework in the Classroom
• What You Will Find in the Ideal Classroom
• A Complete Guide to First-Year Teaching
• 5 Ways to Prepare Your Middle Schooler for High School
• 5 Keys to Being a Successful Teacher
• An Educational Leadership Philosophy for School Leaders
• Goal Setting With Elementary Students

• Academic Skills
• Reading, writing and referencing

Writing a great essay

This resource covers key considerations when writing an essay.

While reading a student’s essay, markers will ask themselves questions such as:

• Does this essay directly address the set task?
• Does it present a strong, supported position?
• Does it use relevant sources appropriately?
• Is the expression clear, and the style appropriate?
• Is the essay organised coherently? Is there a clear introduction, body and conclusion?

You can use these questions to reflect on your own writing. Here are six top tips to help you address these criteria.

1. Analyse the question

Student essays are responses to specific questions. As an essay must address the question directly, your first step should be to analyse the question. Make sure you know exactly what is being asked of you.

Generally, essay questions contain three component parts:

• Content terms: Key concepts that are specific to the task
• Limiting terms: The scope that the topic focuses on
• Directive terms: What you need to do in relation to the content, e.g. discuss, analyse, define, compare, evaluate.

Look at the following essay question:

Discuss the importance of light in Gothic architecture.

• Content terms: Gothic architecture
• Limiting terms: the importance of light. If you discussed some other feature of Gothic architecture, for example spires or arches, you would be deviating from what is required. This essay question is limited to a discussion of light. Likewise, it asks you to write about the importance of light – not, for example, to discuss how light enters Gothic churches.
• Directive term: discuss. This term asks you to take a broad approach to the variety of ways in which light may be important for Gothic architecture. You should introduce and consider different ideas and opinions that you have met in academic literature on this topic, citing them appropriately .

For a more complex question, you can highlight the key words and break it down into a series of sub-questions to make sure you answer all parts of the task. Consider the following question (from Arts):

To what extent can the American Revolution be understood as a revolution ‘from below’? Why did working people become involved and with what aims in mind?

The key words here are American Revolution and revolution ‘from below’. This is a view that you would need to respond to in this essay. This response must focus on the aims and motivations of working people in the revolution, as stated in the second question.

2. Define your argument

As you plan and prepare to write the essay, you must consider what your argument is going to be. This means taking an informed position or point of view on the topic presented in the question, then defining and presenting a specific argument.

Consider these two argument statements:

The architectural use of light in Gothic cathedrals physically embodied the significance of light in medieval theology.

In the Gothic cathedral of Cologne, light served to accentuate the authority and ritual centrality of the priest.

Statements like these define an essay’s argument. They give coherence by providing an overarching theme and position towards which the entire essay is directed.

3. Use evidence, reasoning and scholarship

To convince your audience of your argument, you must use evidence and reasoning, which involves referring to and evaluating relevant scholarship.

• Evidence provides concrete information to support your claim. It typically consists of specific examples, facts, quotations, statistics and illustrations.
• Reasoning connects the evidence to your argument. Rather than citing evidence like a shopping list, you need to evaluate the evidence and show how it supports your argument.
• Scholarship is used to show how your argument relates to what has been written on the topic (citing specific works). Scholarship can be used as part of your evidence and reasoning to support your argument.

4. Organise a coherent essay

An essay has three basic components - introduction, body and conclusion.

The purpose of an introduction is to introduce your essay. It typically presents information in the following order:

• A general statement about the topic that provides context for your argument
• A thesis statement showing your argument. You can use explicit lead-ins, such as ‘This essay argues that...’
• A ‘road map’ of the essay, telling the reader how it is going to present and develop your argument.

Example introduction

"To what extent can the American Revolution be understood as a revolution ‘from below’? Why did working people become involved and with what aims in mind?"

Introduction*

Historians generally concentrate on the twenty-year period between 1763 and 1783 as the period which constitutes the American Revolution [This sentence sets the general context of the period] . However, when considering the involvement of working people, or people from below, in the revolution it is important to make a distinction between the pre-revolutionary period 1763-1774 and the revolutionary period 1774-1788, marked by the establishment of the continental Congress(1) [This sentence defines the key term from below and gives more context to the argument that follows] . This paper will argue that the nature and aims of the actions of working people are difficult to assess as it changed according to each phase [This is the thesis statement] . The pre-revolutionary period was characterised by opposition to Britain’s authority. During this period the aims and actions of the working people were more conservative as they responded to grievances related to taxes and scarce land, issues which directly affected them. However, examination of activities such as the organisation of crowd action and town meetings, pamphlet writing, formal communications to Britain of American grievances and physical action in the streets, demonstrates that their aims and actions became more revolutionary after 1775 [These sentences give the ‘road map’ or overview of the content of the essay] .

The body of the essay develops and elaborates your argument. It does this by presenting a reasoned case supported by evidence from relevant scholarship. Its shape corresponds to the overview that you provided in your introduction.

The body of your essay should be written in paragraphs. Each body paragraph should develop one main idea that supports your argument. To learn how to structure a paragraph, look at the page developing clarity and focus in academic writing .

Your conclusion should not offer any new material. Your evidence and argumentation should have been made clear to the reader in the body of the essay.

Use the conclusion to briefly restate the main argumentative position and provide a short summary of the themes discussed. In addition, also consider telling your reader:

• What the significance of your findings, or the implications of your conclusion, might be
• Whether there are other factors which need to be looked at, but which were outside the scope of the essay
• How your topic links to the wider context (‘bigger picture’) in your discipline.

Do not simply repeat yourself in this section. A conclusion which merely summarises is repetitive and reduces the impact of your paper.

Example conclusion

Conclusion*.

Although, to a large extent, the working class were mainly those in the forefront of crowd action and they also led the revolts against wealthy plantation farmers, the American Revolution was not a class struggle [This is a statement of the concluding position of the essay]. Working people participated because the issues directly affected them – the threat posed by powerful landowners and the tyranny Britain represented. Whereas the aims and actions of the working classes were more concerned with resistance to British rule during the pre-revolutionary period, they became more revolutionary in nature after 1775 when the tension with Britain escalated [These sentences restate the key argument]. With this shift, a change in ideas occurred. In terms of considering the Revolution as a whole range of activities such as organising riots, communicating to Britain, attendance at town hall meetings and pamphlet writing, a difficulty emerges in that all classes were involved. Therefore, it is impossible to assess the extent to which a single group such as working people contributed to the American Revolution [These sentences give final thoughts on the topic].

5. Write clearly

An essay that makes good, evidence-supported points will only receive a high grade if it is written clearly. Clarity is produced through careful revision and editing, which can turn a good essay into an excellent one.

When you edit your essay, try to view it with fresh eyes – almost as if someone else had written it.

Ask yourself the following questions:

Overall structure

• Have you clearly stated your argument in your introduction?
• Does the actual structure correspond to the ‘road map’ set out in your introduction?
• Have you clearly indicated how your main points support your argument?
• Have you clearly signposted the transitions between each of your main points for your reader?
• Does each paragraph introduce one main idea?
• Does every sentence in the paragraph support that main idea?
• Does each paragraph display relevant evidence and reasoning?
• Does each paragraph logically follow on from the one before it?
• Is each sentence grammatically complete?
• Is the spelling correct?
• Is the link between sentences clear to your readers?
• Have you avoided redundancy and repetition?

See more about editing on our  editing your writing page.

6. Cite sources and evidence

Finally, check your citations to make sure that they are accurate and complete. Some faculties require you to use a specific citation style (e.g. APA) while others may allow you to choose a preferred one. Whatever style you use, you must follow its guidelines correctly and consistently. You can use Recite, the University of Melbourne style guide, to check your citations.

Further resources

• Germov, J. (2011). Get great marks for your essays, reports and presentations (3rd ed.). NSW: Allen and Unwin.
• Using English for Academic Purposes: A guide for students in Higher Education [online]. Retrieved January 2020 from http://www.uefap.com
• Williams, J.M. & Colomb, G. G. (2010) Style: Lessons in clarity and grace. 10th ed. New York: Longman.

* Example introduction and conclusion adapted from a student paper.

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12 Ways to Quickly Improve Your Academic Essay Writing Skills

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Written by  Scribendi

Anyone can learn to produce an academic essay if they begin with a few basic essay-writing rules. 

An academic essay must be based upon a solid but debatable thesis, supported by relevant and credible evidence, and closed with a succinct and thorough conclusion.

By adhering to the best way to write an essay, you can create valuable, persuasive papers even when you're under a time crunch!

What Makes a Good Essay?

As previously noted, the foundation of any good academic essay is its thesis statement. 

Do not confuse your thesis with your opening sentence. There are many good ways to start an essay , but few essays immediately present their main ideas.

After you draft your thesis, you can begin to develop your essay around it. This development will include the main supporting points of your essay, which will scaffold its main body. 

Essays also typically include a relevant and compelling introduction and conclusion.

Learn How to Write a Great Thesis Statement .

Understanding How to Write a Good Essay

When writing an academic essay, you must take a number of qualities and characteristics into careful consideration. Focus, development, unity, coherence, and correctness all play critical roles when it comes to distinguishing an exceptional essay from one that is less than perfect.

The following essay-writing tips can help writers organize, format, and support their essays in ways that fit their intended purpose and optimize their overall persuasiveness. Here are 12 essay tips for developing and writing your next academic paper.

1. Know What You Are Going to Write About Before You Start Writing

While untrained writers might just sit down and start typing, educated and experienced writers know that there are many steps to writing an essay.

In short, you should know what you want to say before you type a single word. The easiest way to narrow down a thesis and create a proper argument is to make a basic outline before you begin composing your essay.

Your outline should consist of rough notes that sketch out your introduction (including your thesis), the body of your essay (which should include separate paragraphs that present your main supporting points with plenty of evidence and examples), and your conclusion (which ties everything together and connects the argument back to your thesis).

2. Acquire a Solid Understanding of Basic Grammar, Punctuation, and Style

Before getting into more refined essay-writing techniques, you must have a solid grasp of grammar, punctuation, and style. Without these writing fundamentals, it will be difficult to communicate your ideas effectively and ensure that they are taken seriously.

Grammar basics include subject and verb agreement, correct article and pronoun use, and well-formed sentence structures. Make sure you know the proper uses for the most common forms of punctuation. Be mindful of your comma usage and know when a period is needed.

Finally, voice is tremendously important in academic essay writing. Employ language that is as concise as possible. Avoid transition words that don't add anything to the sentence and unnecessary wordiness that detracts from your argument.

Furthermore, use the active voice instead of the passive whenever possible (e.g., "this study found" instead of "it was found by this study"). This will make your essay's tone clear and direct.

3. Use the Right Vocabulary and Know What the Words You Are Using Actually Mean

How you use language is important, especially in academic essay writing. When writing an academic essay, remember that you are persuading others that you are an expert who argues intelligently about your topic.

Using big words just to sound smart often results in the opposite effect—it is easy to detect when someone is overcompensating in their writing.

If you aren't sure of the exact meaning of a word, you risk using it incorrectly. There's no shame in checking, and it might save you from an embarrassing word misuse later!

Using obscure language can also detract from the clarity of your argument—you should consider this before pulling out a thesaurus to change a perfectly appropriate word to something completely different.

4. Understand the Argument and Critically Analyze the Evidence

While writing a good essay, your main argument should always be at the front of your mind. While it's tempting to go off on a tangent about an interesting side note, doing so makes your writing less concise.

Always question the evidence you include in your essay; ask yourself, "Does this directly support my thesis?" If the answer is "no," then that evidence should probably be excluded. 

When you are evaluating evidence, be critical and thorough. You want to use the strongest research to back up your thesis. It is not enough to simply present evidence in support of an argument. A good writer must also explain why the evidence is relevant and supportive.

Everything you include should clearly connect to your topic and argument.   

5. Know How to Write a Conclusion That Supports Your Research

One of the most overlooked steps to writing an essay is the conclusion. Your conclusion ties all your research together and proves your thesis. It should not be a restatement of your introduction or a copy-and-paste of your thesis.

A strong conclusion briefly outlines the key evidence discussed in the body of an essay and directly ties it to the thesis to show how the evidence proves or disproves the main argument of your research.

Countless great essays have been written only to be derailed by vague, weakly worded conclusions. Don't let your next essay become one of those.     

6. Build a Solid Thesis to Support Your Arguments

A thesis is the main pillar of an essay. By selecting a specific thesis, you'll be able to develop arguments to support your central opinion. Consider writing about a unique experience or your own particular view of a topic .

Your thesis should be clear and logical, but it should also be debatable. Otherwise, it might be difficult to support it with compelling arguments.

7. Develop an Interesting Opening Paragraph to Hook In Readers from the Get-Go

No matter how you begin your essay, you must strive to capture the reader's interest immediately. If your opening paragraph doesn't catch the eye and engage the brain, any attempt at persuasion may end before the essay even starts. 

The beginning of your essay is crucial for setting the stage for your thesis.

8. Always Remember to Edit and Proofread Your Essay

Any decent writer will tell you that writing is really rewriting. A good academic essay will inevitably go through multiple drafts as it slowly takes shape. When you arrive at a final draft, you must make sure that it is as close to perfect as possible.

This means subjecting your essay to close and comprehensive editing and proofreading processes. In other words, you must read your paper as many times as necessary to eliminate all grammar/punctuation mistakes and typos.

It is helpful to have a third party review your work. Consider consulting a peer or professional editing service. Keep in mind that professional editors are able to help you identify underdeveloped arguments and unnecessarily wordy language, and provide other feedback.

Get Critical Feedback on Your Writing

Hire an expert academic editor , or get a free sample, 9. when developing your essay's main body, build strong and relevant arguments.

Every sentence in the main body of your paper should explain and support your thesis. When deciding how much evidence to include in an academic essay, a good guideline is to include at least three main supporting arguments.

Those main supporting arguments, in turn, require support in the form of relevant facts, figures, examples, analogies, and observations. 

You will need to engage in appropriate research to accomplish this. To organize your research efforts, you may want to develop a list of good research questions . 

10. Choose the Format of Your Essay before Writing It

The final shape that your essay takes depends a great deal on what kind of format you use. Popular college essay format types include the Modern Language Association of America ( MLA ), American Psychological Association ( APA ), and Chicago Manual of Style ( Chicago style).

These formats govern everything from capitalization rules to source citation. Often, professors dictate a specific format for your essay. If they do not, you should choose the format that best suits your field.

11. Create Clear Transitions between Your Ideas

Although unnecessary transition words are the enemy of clarity and concision, they can be invaluable tools when it comes to separating and connecting the different sections of your essay. 

Not only do they help you express your ideas but they also bring a cohesive structure to your sentences and a pleasant flow to your writing. Just be sure that you are using the right transition words for the right purpose and to the proper effect.

12. Always Include an Organized Reference Page at the End of Your Essay

As a key component of MLA, APA, and Chicago Style formatting, the reference or Works Cited page is an essential part of any academic essay.

Regardless of the format used, the reference page must be well organized and easy to read so that your audience can see exactly where your outside information came from. 

To produce a properly formatted reference page, you may have to familiarize yourself with specialized phrases and abbreviations, such as " et al ." 

How to Write a Good Hook for an Essay

The key to a good hook is to introduce an unexplored or absorbing line of inquiry in your introduction that addresses the main point of your thesis. 

By carefully choosing your language and slowly revealing details, you can build reader anticipation for what follows. 

Much like an actual worm-baited fishing hook, a successful hook will lure and capture readers, allowing the writer to "reel them in."

How to Get Better at Writing Essays

You can get better at writing essays the same way that you improve at anything else: practice, practice, practice! However, there are a few ways that you can improve your writing quickly so you can turn in a quality academic essay on time.

In addition to following the 12 essay tips and guidelines above, you can familiarize yourself with a few common practices and structures for essay development. 

Great writing techniques for essays include brainstorming and tree diagrams, especially when coming up with a topic for your thesis statement. Becoming familiar with different structures for organizing your essay (order of importance, chronological, etc.) is also extremely helpful.

How to Write a Good Introduction for an Essay

To learn how to write a good essay, you must also learn how to write a good introduction. 

Most effective essay introductions begin with relatively broad and general subject matter and then gradually narrow in focus and scope until they arrive at something extremely specific: the thesis. This is why writers tend to place their thesis statements at the very end of their introductory paragraph(s).

Because they are generally broad and often relate only tangentially to an essay's main point, there is virtually no limit on what the beginning of a good introduction can look like. However, writers still tend to rely on somewhat cliché opening sentences, such as quotations and rhetorical questions.

How to Write a Good Conclusion for an Essay

Briefly put, a good conclusion does two things. It wraps up any loose ends and drives home the main point of your essay. 

To learn how to write a good conclusion, you will want to ensure that no unanswered questions remain in the reader's mind. A good conclusion will restate the thesis and reinforce the essay's main supporting points.

Take Your Essay from Good to Great

About the author.

Scribendi's in-house editors work with writers from all over the globe to perfect their writing. They know that no piece of writing is complete without a professional edit, and they love to see a good piece of writing turn into a great one after the editing process. Scribendi's in-house editors are unrivaled in both experience and education, having collectively edited millions of words and obtained nearly 20 degrees collectively. They love consuming caffeinated beverages, reading books of various genres, and relaxing in quiet, dimly lit spaces.

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"The Complete Beginner's Guide to Academic Writing"

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The Complete Beginner's Guide to Academic Writing

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Teaching excellence & educational innovation, how can i help students become better writers in the discipline when i am not a writing teacher.

There are a variety of things you can do that do not require expertise as a writing teacher, as well as ways of creating assignments and assessments that will aid students in this academic endeavor.

Share Useful Strategies with Students.

Many of the writing strategies we take for granted (e.g., how to write an introduction, how to research relevant sources) are not at all obvious to our students. And yet, these issues arise so frequently that there are resources available for us to share with our students. For example, the library offers workshops on various topics such as conducting literature searches and evaluating sources that can be scheduled during class time so students all get the chance to learn these basic skills before they need to be applied in writing assignments. In addition, there are several sources of information on the web that we can share with our students on basic writing tips and strategies:

• For general advice on the various steps in writing a term paper, see Princeton University's Writing Center .
• For strategies in writing introductions and conclusions, see MIT's Writing Center .
• For a checklist to help students edit their own writing for grammatical errors, see University of Wisconsin at Madison .

Provide Examples.

Use examples of good student writing to discuss with your students what makes these pieces of writing effective. This helps students identify the elements of good work for particular assignments within particular disciplinary domains that, in turn, helps them become conscious of these elements in their own work. Diverse models of student work also illustrate that there are different ways to approach the same assignment, thus offering students some sense of creative scope.

Model Your Process.

It may also be helpful for you to share with students your process in approaching writing tasks. For example, you can tell students:

• What questions you ask yourself before you begin (you might, for example, ask: Who is my audience? What am I trying to convince them of? What do I want to say, and what evidence can I use to back it up?).
• How you go about writing (Do you sketch out ideas on scrap paper? write an outline? hold off on writing your introductory paragraph until you have written the body of the paper?).
• How you go about diagnosing problems and making revisions in your writing (pdf). (Do you ask a friend to read and comment on your work? Do you step away from the paper for a day and return to it with fresh eyes?).

This is not always easy: it means we must become aware of and then make explicit the processes we engage in unconsciously and automatically. However, illuminating the complex steps involved in writing and revising to both you and your students is a useful exercise.

Design Assignments that Offer Appropriate Practice with Feedback.

Of course, one of the best ways for students to become better writers is through practice. However, as our learning principle on practice and feedback shows, not all practice is equally effective. An important way to help students develop as writers, even in a course not solely designed for this purpose, is to match the writing assignments to the students' skill level and offer practice (with feedback) on the aspects of writing where they can benefit. See more information on designing effective writing assignments and on responding to student writing .

Embed Milestones.

It is also helpful to include milestones into an assignment so that students submit either preliminary drafts (so they can incorporate feedback in their subsequent revisions) or components of a larger paper (so they avoid leaving the entire assignment to the last minute). For example, you could require your students to read and comment on at least two other classmates' early drafts by a specific deadline (for information on peer review, see the University of Wisconsin's Writing Center ).

Require Drafts.

Few people are able to turn out high-quality writing in first drafts. For most people, good writing requires rereading, rethinking, and sometimes fairly extensive revising. Many students, however, misconstrue or underestimate what good writing involves, believing that it's a simple linear process when, in fact, it is complex and iterative. Many students leave writing assignments to the last minute, expecting to be able to sit down and rapidly turn out a good paper. Thus, they may not give themselves enough time to re-examine premises, adjust the organizational scheme, refine their arguments, etc. Requiring drafts forces students to build in appropriate time frames for their work.

Create Rubrics.

A detailed scoring guide or performance rubric helps students to recognize the component parts of a writing task and understand how their competence will be assessed in each of these areas. A good rubric helps students to see what comprises high quality writing and to identify the skills they will need to perform well. You might want to provide your rubric to students along with the assignment so they know what the criteria are in advance and can plan appropriately.

Recognize Cultural Differences.

Besides the differences between skilled and unskilled writers, there are cultural differences that often manifest themselves in the written work of non-native speakers of English. For example, Arabic speakers may develop their arguments by restating their position rather than stating rationales. Japanese speakers are inclined to argue both for and against an issue, and to be more tentative in their conclusions. Some non-native speakers generally provide lengthier treatments of historical context, minimizing their own arguments. For more information about this area, contact the Intercultural Communications Center 's Writing Clinic for non-native English speakers.

Be explicit with students about the behaviors of skilled writers.

Understanding the behavioral differences between skilled and unskilled writers can help us work more effectively with students, even to "warn" them in advance of potential pitfalls to be avoided.

Skilled/successful writers

Unskilled/unsuccessful writers.

Conceive the writing problem in its complexity, including issues of audience, purpose, and context.

Conceive the writing problem narrowly, primarily in terms of topic.

Shape writing to the needs of the audience.

Have little concept of audience.

Are committed to the writing.

Care little about the writing.

Are less easily satisfied with first drafts. Think of revision as finding the line of argument. Revise extensively at the level of structure and content.

Are more easily satisfied with the first draft.

Think of revision as changing words or crossing out and throwing away. Revise only at the level of single word or sentence.

Are able to pay selective attention to various aspects of the writing task, depending on the stage of the writing process.

Often tried to do everything perfectly on the first draft. Get stuck on single word choices or on punctuation, even at early stages. Tend to believe that writing well is a gift you either have or don't have.

Sharing this information with students in advance of writing assignments can aid them in the writing process.

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Student Essay: The Power of Stories to Inspire Strong Leaders

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Maya S. is a Muslim, Egyptian and student athlete who has lived in Saudi Arabia for most of her life. She is 16 and a junior at the American International School of Riyadh, where she is enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program.

In this Student Essay of the Week, Maya talks about how building a platform for others to share their stories has helped her understand why welcoming diversity of thought and experience will make her a stronger, more empathetic leader.

Three steps forward and two steps back. That was my reality during the privilege walk.

In October 2018, I was selected along with 50 other high school students to attend a leadership trip to a farm outside Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We believed that we were all going to learn about how to become leaders with strong voices. However, the trip took a completely unexpected and inspiring turn. Instead, we left knowing how to listen first and speak second.

At the farm, we participated in an activity called a privilege walk , where we were asked to step forward or backward in response to certain questions. From the responses, it became obvious that all of us were struggling with something that those around us knew nothing about.

I learned that the girl beside me once wondered where her next meal would come from. The girl beside her was afraid to leave the house at night because she had been assaulted. The boy to my left had been held at gunpoint. And the boy beside him had a mental disorder. This realization hit me hard. I was able to understand that although it’s impossible for us all to experience the same things, it is possible for us to try and listen to each other and understand each other’s differences. I began to appreciate the meaning of finding beauty in diversity. During that trip I learned that true leaders listen to the voices of others, and as a result they are able to enrich their own points of view.

“Living with anxiety is like feeling alive through the motions of life, but never freely living. It’s being aware of my surroundings, but lost in another world inside my head.”

During the summer of that year, someone I loved dearly was faced with medical issues, and my family began dealing with a lot of uncertainty. Even when it was all over, I felt lost and changed. I couldn’t explain it, but I wished that someone understood. I then began thinking of the people standing around me that day in Riyadh during the privilege walk, and everyone around the world like us. Did we all feel the same desire to be understood? How could we all feel seen and valued, regardless of our stories? I wanted to hear more about the stories of all those kids I met that day in line. I wanted to understand how we all ended up there, despite our different paths. I wanted to create something that would allow them to express their stories.

That summer, I started Voice of Change , a weblog that allows other teenagers to contribute writing that reflects the experiences that have shaped them. The first story I received was “Purpose,” from a girl struggling with depression. She wrote, “Purpose: a reason, a given, motivation , a point. We all live life because we have a purpose. We realize that there is a point, we have motivation and a reason to live. We look forward to things and create opportunities for ourselves. We see a future. Imagine living life feeling as though you have no purpose… That means no reason, no motivation, simply no point… the best way to describe this feeling is as if [you’re] dead. This feeling is depression.”

After I posted the article, which talked about how depression impacted the author’s life, I received comments, emails and texts from others saying that the article communicated what they needed to hear and couldn’t put into words. This initial response fueled the rest of my work. I began receiving other stories about challenging experiences, ranging from sexual assault and racial discrimination, to losing a loved one and struggling with body image. Here are a few powerful quotes from these articles:

“I’m not sure who or what I’m living for, but I’d never want to risk my family members feeling as I do right now. It’s okay that I’m suffering right now, because I have faith that it will pass, eventually it will.” – “Live On”

“I am not ignorant because I’m Arab. I’m not a terrorist because I’m Muslim. I am not a thug because I’m black. I am not who I am because of what you see on the news. I am who I am because of what I’ve been through, and what I have become.” – “Assume”

“Living with anxiety is like feeling alive through the motions of life, but never freely living. It’s being aware of my surroundings but lost in another world inside my head.” – “I Choose Life”

I see my Voice of Change journey as having so much to do with becoming a better leader. It has helped me to see clearly the type of leader I hope to become. I have developed a stronger perspective by understanding the voices and stories of others. I have become more empathetic to other people’s struggles, a quality I will need when I run my own business one day. You can’t understand your customers’ wants or your employees’ needs if you don’t listen and appreciate where they’re coming from. Also, Voice of Change has shown me how much our experiences shape us and contribute to how we see the world and solve problems. Each person offers a unique voice and a different perspective – all powerful and important in their own way.

Related Links

• The Privilege Walk
• What Is Empathy? (Sesame Street)
• Knowledge@Wharton: The Emotional Intelligence Deficit
• Wharton’s McNulty Leadership Program

Conversation Starters

What is empathy and why is it such an important leadership quality? How is empathy related to storytelling? Use the Related Links with this article if you need to better understand empathy.

How have your experiences shaped you? Share your story in the Comment section of this article.

Maya writes that she has come to appreciate “how much our experiences shape us and contribute to how we see the world and solve problems.” Diversity of thought is incredibly powerful in the business world. Why does it hold such value? How does it enrich the team dynamic and important outcomes?

6 comments on “ Student Essay: The Power of Stories to Inspire Strong Leaders ”

Hi Maya, Thank you for sharing your fantastic story with us. Being able to appreciate the people around you and, in first place, yourself is one of the major keys to success and, most importantly, happiness in life, at least according to my experience. We all come from different environments and experiences, the same ones which make us who we are, in our uniqueness and diversity, as you clearly and beautifully stated in your essay. Appreciation is one of those emotions, if that’s how we want to define it, I have learned to consider and embrace later in life, but it is surely the one all the rest comes down to: appreciation for life, appreciation for love from our beloved ones… Having dealt throughout life with friends who coped with depression and anxiety, I can say I have experienced the emotional upheaval that tends to follow this kind of acknowledgements. It gives you a completely different perspective on the world, on the people that surround you and on the way you look at your very own life. On the other hand, I’ve been lucky enough to feel the wonderful sense of relief and joy which comes after helping this people, which taught me the value of the word, indeed, appreciation. In the same way I’ve been able to help my dearest friends deal with these horrible feelings and find a way out of them, I find what you have done with this very same individuals awesome: not only giving them a voice through the blog, but giving their peers the chance to find sympathy and reassurance in their words. Keep it up! And take care.

Sonder – n. The realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own—populated with their own ambitions, friends, routines, worries and inherited craziness (The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows).

I believe that sonder, a short and simple made-up word to describe a complex feeling, perfectly captures the spirit of Maya and her article. Maya realized the complexity of the lives of those around her, that every stranger on the leadership trip had their own unique story to tell, filled with their personal struggles. She reaches the conclusion that “each person offers a unique voice and a different perspective – all powerful and important in their own way.”

Sonder, and more broadly, empathy, is a crucial element of being a good leader. I had my own moment of sonder last summer when I had the opportunity to volunteer at my local Chinese senior center. I started volunteering there because I had to fill my school’s requirement for service hours but ended up gaining much more out of it than that. At first, I was wary of taking on the job because my Chinese conversational skills were acceptable at best and rudimentary at worst. However, I quickly found that the seniors were very welcoming and were just happy that someone was willing to sacrifice their time to help out. I performed tasks such as preparing and serving food as well as helped teach ESL and citizenship classes. I learned about the hard work ethic of the workers and volunteers around me while washing apples. I learned about the amiability and habits of the seniors in the lunchroom. There would always be those in the back table playing cards, the younger seniors chatting in the front, and the seasoned mahjong players upstairs. I even had the chance to hear some of their rich stories, stories of their journeys of emigrating from communist China, stories of their successful children, stories of their war experiences, and stories of their hope in America. I truly understood that these seniors, whom I would not have given a second glance on the street, lived such deep and meaningful lives, each of which would be a thrilling standalone novel.

Just like Maya learned to understand those from different backgrounds, I was able to empathize with these seniors and develop an appreciation for their experiences. We should all have empathy for each other in this world full of division and hatred. Sonder helps us have that empathy not only with those close to us but with everyone around us.

When I became the youngest Student Council President of my school, my idea of a strong leader was someone who could command and lead a group of people with total authority the way they like it. So, that’s what I tried to do during my early days as a leader. I thought I would be a strong leader by commanding the student council and demonstrating my full authority over the rest. But after the first month, like Maya, the experience of being a leader took a completely unexpected and inspiring turn. I learned, like Maya, that you have to listen first and speak second. It is by listening to others that makes you a stronger leader because it is easier to command and display your authority. But it is harder to swallow your pride and listen to others when their opinions or stories differ from yours.

Therefore, in the Student Council that I am in, I launched an initiative called “Listen Monday” with the purpose of listening to everyone’s opinions and views in the student council and utilizing them for the betterment of the school.

By understanding the voices of others it has helped me develop a better perspective. I have become more empathetic to others. Listening to others has allowed me to see the full picture that I have never seen. And because I see the bigger picture, I realized that other’s experiences can help shape how I see the world and solve problems. As Maya said, each person offers a unique voice and a different perspective, all-powerful and important in their own way.

I want to thank Maya for inspiring me.

When I became the youngest Student Council President of my school, my idea of a strong leader was someone who could command and lead a group of people with total authority the way they like it. So, that’s what I tried to do during my early days as a leader. I thought I would be a strong leader by commanding the student council and demonstrating my full authority over the rest. But after the first month, like Maya, the experience of being a leader took a completely unexpected and inspiring turn. I learned, like Maya, that you have to listen first and speak second. It is by listening to others that makes you a stronger leader because it is easier to command and display your authority. But it is harder to swallow your pride and listen to others when their opinions or stories differ from yours.

Therefore, in the Student Council that I am in, I launched an initiative called “Listen Monday” with the purpose of listening to everyone’s opinions and views in the student council and utilizing them for the betterment of the school.

By understanding the voices of others it has helped me develop a better perspective. I have become more empathetic to others. Listening to others has allowed me to see the full picture that I have never seen. And because I see the bigger picture, I realized that other’s experiences can help shape how I see the world and solve problems. As Maya said, each person offers a unique voice and a different perspective, all-powerful and important in their own way. I realized exhaustively now that a strong leader is someone that listens first and speak second.

I want to thank Maya for inspiring me to become a better leader.

Hello L Dau K!

Thank you for sharing your experience and lessons as a student council president. Listening to your implementation of listening Mondays has brought me back to a time when I was the storyteller, pouring my life out, not to a student council president, but to my mother.

Before the story begins, I must tell you about my mother. She is a very successful corporate leader of hundreds of people. Of course, when it comes to life, she’s never lost her footing when it comes to parenting. Her dogma for me was always the same as that for her employees. She required me to write a time schedule and reflect on life every day and report my academic progress to her with a PowerPoint presentation every week. Similar to your listening Mondays, but coerced. Of course, these rules also apply to her employees. I argued with her countless times, berating her for treating me, at the time, a 12-year-old, as her employee. Perhaps you have already begun to detest my mother’s parenting philosophy, or that she is just another derelict mother who neglects her children’s emotional needs to give her career 100%. But she was a mother for the first time, and I as her oldest child witnessed her growth and how she became a leader, both to her employees and to me.

Where should I begin my story with this leader? As I counted the episodes that flashed through my mind, neither the long conversation in the evening breeze nor the laughing conversation in the dark living room seemed like the most appropriate beginning of the story. Puzzled, I put down my thoughts and sat down to recall the beginning of our conversations. There’s no longer nameless fear and tension when she approaches me, dreading to hear what she has to say. Instead, I always walked up to her when I found her alone, and the dialogue always began with a sigh. I told her many stories about young love, friends, hobbies, and self-reflection, all parts of me that I was reluctant to reveal in PowerPoints. She is busy all day but never said no when I started a conversation. I could feel that she valued every part of our communication, regardless of how nonsensical it was, taking it wholeheartedly. She would sit down and listen to every word I had to say, and she would take to heart every hint of emotion I tried to convey. She did her best to understand my passions, cater to my needs, and embrace my sentiments. And that’s one of the most valuable lessons she’s taught me as a leader.

My mother’s growth as a leader came naturally to her as she listened to every ebullient story and every heart-wrenching sob. She did what many leaders, even in family relationships, fail to do: give the most attention to her children and subordinates, dwelling on their stories, bringing herself into their emotions, and living their experiences. Simply receiving a comment differentiates from understanding the root of their feedback. Through sharing stories with my mother, as my thoughts became words and leaped out of my mouth, my thoughts received a carrier. The stories I told were imparted with meaning through the process of communication. These words made me who I am and marked every footprint of mine. Not only giving her a chance to guide me but giving me a chance to recourse, bonding two unknown souls by building emotional bridges rather than giving ice-cold PowerPoint presentations. I myself am walking on those bridges, and I will be learning to build them up. Through open communication, we can build bridges high enough to see the world from a bigger view, see the tips of Mt. Everest, hear the mumbles of rhinoceros and vaquitas, and unveil a side of the world that we have never seen before.

In her essay “The Power of Stories to Inspire Strong Leaders”, Maya S. quotes “I was able to understand that although it’s impossible for us to all experience the same things, it is possible for us to try and listen to each other and understand each other’s differences. I began to appreciate the meaning of finding beauty in diversity. During that trip I learned that true leaders listen to the voices of others, and as a result they are able to enrich their own points of view.” This quote taught me that in order to be understood, one must learn to understand.

As an international student living in the states, my school days were certainly different from most of my classmates. There were a lot more plane rides, more hours of memorizing English vocabulary, and less people that paid attention to the struggles I went through. It was hard to focus on the upside of life when I knew that my comfort zone was about 6800 miles away. I felt like I was drowning in my own world, and was unsure of what I needed to do to get out of it.

As time passed, I did learn to embrace my new home. That started with a simple step: Learning about how people here lived. I added Kendrick Lamar and Olivia Rodrigo to my playlist, started to watch the NBA, and reached out for corrections when I didn’t recognize an English word. As I began to understand and appreciate what was around me, it was way easier to fit in. My struggles started to pay off as I received multiple honors and varsity MVP awards. Apart from Academics, I also became much more active in the social circle. I learned more about life here from my new friends, and also taught them some parts of life that I left behind back in Korea. After these changes, I could proudly say that I’m definitely leading my own life.

Maya’s story of the privilege walk reminded me of the change in my perspective before and after trying to understand American culture. At first I was hesitant in getting to know the new environment, but now I see the hidden value of entirely different customs, just like how Maya was able to understand the children with more depth. Furthermore, something Maya did that I greatly appreciate is that she didn’t just stop from enlightenment and took action to advocate for her beliefs. I believe that Maya’s propulsion of creating the “Voice of Change” weblog exemplifies what leaders do to promote their voice to the world. As a person aspiring to be a global leader and a businessman, I was greatly inspired by Maya’s quotes of insight and her action to spread her words.

Our world today is heavily interconnected, and the effects of collaborating across diverse backgrounds have never been more apparent. As I reflect on Maya’s quote and my own understanding, I am reminded that true leaders are distinguished by their ability to seek harmony in differences. My journey from a foreign student drowning in isolation to a confident participant in a global community underscores the transformative power of understanding others to be understood. Of course there are still customs that I cannot resonate with, like pineapple on pizza. But as I step forward into a world of connections and communications, I carry with me the invaluable lesson that true understanding is the cornerstone of meaningful process.

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4 Ways to Help Student Writers Improve

Guiding students to grow as writers is a long process, and it’s not easy. These strategies can help.

As teachers, we often bemoan the fact that “students can’t write anymore” and blame it on everything from texting and social media to the lack of grammar instruction and absence of vocabulary books. The truth is probably closer to the sentiment of David Labaree : “Learning to write is extraordinarily difficult, and teaching people how to write is just as hard.”

Teaching writing is a process—over time and with the right guidance and support our students can grow into better writers. We may feel frustrated that their final pieces aren’t polished to perfection, but if we look closely, within those imperfect final drafts are flickers of insight and bits of mastery.

We need to celebrate these small victories, and be patient as our students gradually master the myriad of skills involved in becoming a writer.

4 Strategies for Supporting Student Writers

1. Emphasize reading: Frank Smith writes in Reading Without Nonsense , “You learn to read by reading and you learn to write by reading.” I tell my students that something magical happens when we read—the words and sentences enter our consciousness, float around, and drift out through our pen or keyboard in our own narrative voice.

When students immerse themselves in John Green, Charles Dickens, William Shakespeare, or J.K. Rowling, those writers’ language and its wisdom seeps into their thinking and pours out into their writing.

2. Give them permission to take risks: Donald Murray has argued, “Many teachers complain that their students can’t write sentences. I complain that many of my students write sentences. Too early. Following form, forgetting meaning.... Sentences that are like prison sentences.”

In order to free my students from the constraints of correctness, I give them permission to break some of the rules that have been drilled into them since elementary school. As we read, we notice how the stylistic choices that defy convention are often the phrases we love the most. We then make bold attempts to experiment with these techniques in our own writing. We begin sentences with conjunctions, take liberties with rhetorical questions, repetition, and figurative language... even sprinkle ellipses with reckless abandon.

One of my students crafted a beautiful passage that was inspired by both Great Expectations and Sherman Alexie’s “Superman and Me.” She loved Alexie’s short, emphatic sentences: “I was smart. I was arrogant. I was lucky,” and how Dickens wove his title throughout the novel: “So imperfect was the realisation of my great expectations....” In a letter to the late author Paul Kalanithi about his memoir When Breath Becomes Air , composed for the Library of Congress’s Letters About Literature contest, she wrote, “You were determined. You were fierce. And you were unstoppable. You fought until your final breath... until your breath became air.”

3. Make them care: I want my students to understand that their ideas can bring about change, so I work to give them choices to write about topics they feel passionate about. They ask probing questions and devote the time necessary to develop a compelling argument, meticulously craft sentences, and carefully choose their words.

And they need to know their words will be heard by an authentic audience , which is sometimes an audience of their peers reached through shared folders on Google Drive and Padlet, and at other times a wider audience reached through writing contests and publishing opportunities .

4. Feedback, feedback, and more feedback: It would be easy to circle errors in red pen, write a few comments, and return papers with a letter grade, but most teachers don’t do that—the amount of time we spend on grading student writing is staggering. And much of this feedback is not improving their writing.

So in the early stages of the writing process, I dedicate time to conference with each student to offer them personalized feedback they can immediately use. Throughout the writing process, students self-assess based on the assignment rubric as I jump in and out of Google Docs to offer additional targeted feedback. As they get closer to a final product, I offer peer editors specific “look fors” and guidelines to further polish and refine their writing. All of this feedback results in final drafts that are much stronger and grades that are higher. But more importantly, students feel supported and encouraged as they’re learning to write.

When we take the time to refine our thoughts in writing, not in the unrehearsed way they often spout too quickly out of our mouths, our words can impact the behavior, thoughts, and feelings of others. My students understand that writing is power, and they well know that we could all use a little empowering.

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How to Be a Better Person

Elizabeth Scott, PhD is an author, workshop leader, educator, and award-winning blogger on stress management, positive psychology, relationships, and emotional wellbeing.

Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and international bestselling author. Her books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk,  "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time.

We all want to be our best, but many people wonder if it's actually possible to become a better person once you're an adult. The answer is a resounding yes. There are always ways to improve yourself. This answer leads to more questions, however.

How can you improve yourself to be a better person? What is the easiest approach? And what are the most important aspects of self to work on? Taking into account your own well-being as well as the best interests of others, here are some of the most important ways to become a better person. 

Let Go of Anger

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We all experience anger in our lives. Uncontrolled anger, however, can create problems in our relationships and even with our health. All of this can lead to more stress and additional problems, complicating life and keeping us from being our best selves. That's why learning to manage and eventually let go of anger is so important to becoming a better person.

Letting go of anger isn't always easy. But the first step is learning more about recognizing anger and knowing what to do when you feel angry in your life.

Recognizing anger is often simple if you make an effort to notice when you feel upset and decide to manage this feeling rather than denying it or lashing out at others as a way of coping. Focus on noticing when you feel angry and why, and know that there is a difference between feeling angry and acting on that anger. Then, know your options.

You can change your beliefs about what is making you angry. This can work by learning more about the situation, or even reminding yourself there may be things you don't know yet.

Remind yourself that maybe that person who cut you off in traffic was distracted by something challenging in their own life. If a friend seems to be rude to you, inquire about how their day is going and find out if there's more that you don't know.

You can also focus on what your "anger triggers" are, and eliminate them as possible. For example, if you find yourself becoming frustrated and angry when you have to rush, work on making more space in your schedule (even if it means saying "no" a little more), and try to eliminate that trigger. If a certain person makes you angry, try to limit their role in your life if it doesn't work to talk things out with them first.

It's also important to learn to let go of grudges and residual anger from each day. Don't wake up holding a grudge from the night before if you can help it. Focus on forgiveness , even if it means you don't let someone who wronged you continue to have an important role in your life. When you stay in the present moment as much as possible, this becomes easier.

Practicing stress relievers like meditation can also help you to let go of anger. Focus on releasing the hold that the past may have on you. Put your attention to the current moment and it becomes easier to avoid rumination and stay in a good place.

Support Others

Helping others may seem like an obvious route to becoming a better person. We often think of "good people" as those who are willing to sacrifice for others. This, in the minds of many, is what makes a person "good." However, good deeds can also make us better people because of the connection between altruism and emotional well-being.

According to research, it just may be true that it's better to give than to receive. So while you may feel too stressed and busy to extend help to others when it's not absolutely necessary, expanding your ability to focus on the needs of others can really help you as well. It’s true:  Altruism  is its own reward and can actually help you relieve stress.

Studies show that altruism is good for your emotional well-being and can measurably enhance your peace of mind.  

For example, one study found that dialysis patients, transplant patients, and family members who became support volunteers for other patients experienced increased personal growth and emotional well-being.

Another study on patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) showed that those who offered other MS patients peer support actually experienced greater benefits than their supported peers, including more pronounced improvement of confidence, self-awareness , self-esteem , depression, and daily functioning. Those who offered support generally found that their lives were dramatically changed for the better.

In addition to making the world a better place, exercising your altruism can make you a happier, more compassionate person. Because there are so many ways to express altruism, this is a simple route to being a better person, one that is available to all of us every day. This is good news indeed.

Leverage Your Strengths

Losing track of time when you’re absorbed in fulfilling work or another engaging activity, or what psychologists refer to as " flow ," is a familiar state for most of us. Flow is what happens when you get deeply involved in a hobby, in learning a new skill or subject, or in engaging in activities that supply just the right mix of challenge and ease.   

When we feel too challenged, we feel stressed. When things are too easy, we may become bored—either way, finding the sweet spot between these two extremes keeps us engaged in a very good way.

You can experience flow by writing, dancing, creating, or absorbing new material that you can teach others.

What may bring you to that state of being may be challenging for others, and vice versa. Think about when you find yourself in this state most often, and try doing more of that.

The state of flow is a good indicator of whether an activity is right for you. When you're in a state of flow, you're leveraging your strengths, and this turns out to be great for your emotional health and happiness. It's also a very positive thing for the rest of the world because your strengths can usually be used to help others in some way. 

When you learn enough about yourself to know what your best strengths are and find out how to use them for the benefit of others, you're on your way to being a better person, and a happier one as well.

Use the "Stages of Change" Model

Ask yourself: If you had a magic wand, what would you like to see in your future? Ignoring the ideas of how you’ll get there, vividly imagine your ideal life, and what would be included in it.

Take a few minutes to list, on paper or on your computer, the changes and goals that would be included in this picture. Be specific about what you want. It’s okay if you want something that you seemingly have no control over, such as a mate who is perfect for you. Just write it down.

You may follow the lead of many businesses and have a one-year, five-year, and 10-year plan for your life. (It doesn’t have to be a set-in-stone  plan , but a list of wishes and goals.) Keeping in mind what you hope for in your future can help you feel less stuck in the stressful parts of your present life, and help you see more options for change as they present themselves.

There are several ways to focus on change, but the stages of change model can lead you to your best self perhaps more easily than many other paths. This model of change can be adapted to whatever mindset you have right now and can work for most people.

The Stages of Change Model

• Precontemplation : Ignoring the problem
• Contemplation : Aware of the problem
• Preparation : Getting ready to change
• Action : Taking direct action toward the goal
• Maintenance : Maintaining new behavior
• Relapse : Reaffirm your goal and commitment to change

One of the most important parts of this route to change is that you don't push yourself to make changes before you're ready, and you don't give up if you find yourself backsliding—it's a forgivable and even expected part of the process of change. Understanding this plan for making changes can help you to be a better person in whatever ways you choose.

Press Play for Advice on Creating Change

This episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast shares how to use the six stages of change to apply them to your own process of change. Click below to listen now.

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Take Care of Yourself

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You may not always have control over the circumstances you face. But you  can  control how well you take care of yourself, which can affect your stress levels and enable you to grow as a person when you face life's challenges.

Self-care is vital for building resilience when facing unavoidable stressors for several reasons. When you're tired, eating poorly, or generally run down, you will likely be more reactive to the stress you face in your life. You can even end up creating more problems for yourself by reacting poorly rather than responding from a place of calm inner strength.

Conversely, when you're taking good care of yourself (both your physical and mental health ), you can be more thoughtfully engaged with whatever comes, use the resources you have in your life, and grow from the challenges you face, rather than merely surviving them.

Taking proper care of your body, soul, and mind can keep you in optimum shape for handling stress. That gives you added resilience to manage those challenges in life that we all face, as well as those that may be unique to you.

Basics of Self-Care

In terms of self-care strategies , there are several that can help, but some of the most important aspects of self-care include the basics:

• Connection with others

Sleep is important for your emotional and physical well-being because too little or poor quality sleep can leave you feeling more stressed and less able to brainstorm solutions to problems you face. Lack of sleep can take a toll on your body as well, both in the short term and in the long run. Poor sleep can even affect your weight.

The same is true with poor nutrition. A poor diet can leave you feeling bloated and tired, and can add extra pounds over time. You need the right fuel to face life's challenges, but when stress hits, it's often the unhealthy food we crave.

Social Connections

Feeling connected to others can help you feel more resilient. Good friends can help you to process negative emotions, brainstorm solutions, and get your mind off your problems when necessary. It's sometimes challenging to find time for friends when you have a busy, stressful life, but our friends often make us better people both with their support and their inspiration.

Finally, it is important to take a little time for yourself. This can mean journaling and meditation, or it can come in the form of exercise or even watching re-runs at home. This is particularly important for introverts , but everyone needs some time to themselves, at least sometimes.

Learn to Be User-Friendly

Our relationships can create a haven from stress, and help us to become better people at the same time. They can also be a  significant source of stress when there is conflict that is resolved poorly or left to fester. The beauty of this is that as we do the work it takes to become a better friend, partner, and family member, it can also be a path to becoming a better person.

To improve your relationships and yourself, learn conflict resolution skills. These skills include being a good listener, understanding the other side when you are in conflict, and anger management techniques .

These things can help us be better versions of ourselves. They can also minimize the stress we experience in relationships, making these relationships stronger. Close relationships usually provide plenty of opportunities to practice these skills as you work on improving them, so you can perhaps even appreciate the opportunities when they arise and feel less upset.

Mental Health Foundation. Cool down: Anger and how to deal with it .

Post SG. Altruism, happiness, and health: It's good to be good . Int J Behav Med . 2005;12(2):66-77. doi:10.1207/s15327558ijbm1202_4

Cheron G. How to measure the psychological "flow"? A neuroscience perspective . Front Psychol . 2016;7:1823. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01823

Sadler-Gerhardt CJ, Stevenson DL. When it all hits the fan: Helping counselors build resilience and avoid burnout . American Counseling Association VISTAS 2012(1).

National Sleep Foundation. How much sleep do we really need?

By Elizabeth Scott, PhD Elizabeth Scott, PhD is an author, workshop leader, educator, and award-winning blogger on stress management, positive psychology, relationships, and emotional wellbeing.

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Nine Basic Ways to Improve Your Style in Academic Writing

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1. Use ACTIVE VOICE

Don't say:  "The stepmother's house was cleaned by Cinderella."  (Passive.)

Say instead:  "Cinderella cleaned the stepmother's house."  (Active voice.)

Passive voice construction ("was cleaned") is reserved for those occasions where the "do-er" of the action is unknown.

Example:  "Prince Charming saw the glass slipper that was left behind."

2. Mix it up in terms of PUNCTUATION

Here are a few commonly misused punctuation marks that a lot of people aren't sure about:

The  semi-colon (;)  separates two complete sentences that are complementary.

Example:  "She was always covered in cinders from cleaning the fireplace; they called her Cinderella."

The  colon (:)  is used...

a. preceding a list.

Example:  "Before her stepmother awoke, Cinderella had three chores to complete: feeding the chickens, cooking breakfast, and doing the wash." 


b. as a sort of "drum roll," preceding some big revelation.

Example:  "One thing fueled the wicked stepmother's hatred for Cinderella: jealousy."  


The  dash (--)  is made by typing two hyphens (-). No spaces go in between the dash and the text. It is used...

a. to bracket off some explanatory information.

Example:  "Even Cinderella's stepsisters-who were not nearly as lovely or virtuous as Cinderella--were allowed to go to the ball." 


b. in the "drum roll" sense of the colon.

Example:  "Prince Charming would find this mystery lady--even if he had to put the slipper on every other girl in the kingdom."  


3. Vary your SENTENCE STRUCTURE

Don't say:  "Cinderella saw her fairy godmother appear. She was dressed in blue. She held a wand. The wand had a star on it. She was covered in sparkles. Cinderella was amazed. She asked who the woman was. The woman said, 'I am your fairy godmother.' She said she would get Cinderella a dress and a coach. She said she would help Cinderella go to the ball."

Instead say: (there are multiple correct ways to rewrite this, but here's one)  "Amazed, Cinderella watched as her fairy godmother appeared. The woman dressed in blue was covered in sparkles and carried a star-shaped wand. Cinderella asked the woman who she was, to which the woman replied, 'I am your fairy godmother." The fairy godmother would get Cinderella a dress and a coach; she would help Cinderella get to the ball."

4. Closely related to this, avoid CHOPPINESS

Don't say:  "She scrubbed the floors. They were dirty. She used a mop. She sighed sadly. It was as if she were a servant ."

Instead say : (again, there are multiple ways to do this)  "She scrubbed the dirty floors using a mop, as if she were a servant. She sighed sadly."

5. Avoid REPETITION.

Don't say:  "The stepsisters were jealous and envious ."

Instead say :  "The stepsisters were jealous ."  (...or envious. Pick one.)

6. Be CONCISE

Don't say:  "The mystery lady was one who every eligible man at the ball admired."

Instead say :  "Every eligible man at the ball admired the mystery lady."

7. Use the VOCABULARY that you know.

Don't always feel you have to use big words. It is always better to be clear and use simple language rather than showing off flashy words you aren't sure about and potentially misusing them. This is not to say, however, that you should settle for very weak vocabulary choices (like "bad" or "big" or "mad").

8. But also work on expanding your VOCABULARY.

When reading, look up words you don't know. See how they're used. Start a list. Incorporate them into your writing as you feel comfortable and as they are appropriate.

9. Keep language FORMAL and avoid language of everyday speech.

Don't say:  "Cinderella was mellow and good. She never let her stepmother get to her ."

Say instead:  "Cinderella was mild-mannered and kind. She never let her stepmother affect her high spirits ."

So, essentially, when it comes to working on style, there are three things to remember:

Empower yourself with knowledge..

Learn to punctuate correctly, enhance your vocabulary, etc. Give yourself all the tools there are so that you are free to...

...Mix it up!

Avoid repetition of words and sentence structure. Variance promotes good "flow" and is more interesting for your reader.

"Write to EXPRESS, not to IMPRESS."

Above all, write actively, clearly, and concisely.

Amber Carini

Student Learning Center, University of California, Berkeley

©2002 UC Regents

  This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

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How to Be a Great Student in Middle School

Last Updated: August 19, 2023 Approved

This article was co-authored by Jai Flicker . Jai Flicker is an Academic Tutor and the CEO and Founder of Lifeworks Learning Center, a San Francisco Bay Area-based business focused on providing tutoring, parental support, test preparation, college essay writing help, and psychoeducational evaluations to help students transform their attitude toward learning. Jai has over 20 years of experience in the education management industry. He holds a BA in Philosophy from the University of California, San Diego. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has 14 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 76,463 times.

With all of the pressures of life that exist when you’re in your early teens, it can be hard to find the time to focus on being a good student. Social life and personal changes, including puberty and planning for high school, can feel like higher priorities. However, it’s important to do well academically in middle school, as this can directly prepare you for the work you’ll be doing in high school and beyond. In order to be a great student, you’ll need to prepare for school, focus in the classroom, and study nightly.

Being Prepared for School

• If you’re having trouble staying interested in school and being motivated on your own, look for a study group of students in your year. A study group will help keep you motivated by providing socialization and letting you work with other motivated individuals.

• Ask your parents to buy you one folder or binder per subject. That way, you can always place papers and assignments in the correct folder that corresponds to the subject.
• Rather than shoving materials from multiple classes into your backpack, organize the materials into a separate subject.
• Also, avoid letting old papers pile up in your desk or backpack, pull everything out regularly to make sure you haven’t missed an assignment or handout.

• See if your school provides an agenda book or a day planner. A day planner is a great way to keep track of multiple obligations, including classes, after-school activities, and social plans. [3] X Research source

Excelling in the Classroom

• The required textbook and reading materials (handouts etc.).
• A couple of functioning pens and pencils.
• A notebook with blank paper.
• Any class-specific items: for example, a calculator for math class.

• To begin participating, see if you can answer a question posed by the teacher or another student.
• If you’re unclear about something covered in class, don’t be afraid to raise your hand and ask questions. This will help you learn, and chances are that if you’re confused about a topic, other students are confused also.

• Taking effective notes will also help you study better; you’ll be able to review the material from class without having to guess what the teacher lectured on, and you won’t have to struggle to remember important class points.
• Keep your notes organized. Have a separate folder or notebook section for every class—that way, you won’t mix together notes from different subjects. [7] X Research source

• Although it can be tempting to socialize during class, it’s not worth missing the material you’d otherwise learn. Save the socialization for lunch break and after school, and stay focused and attentive in the classroom.

Keeping Up with Homework

• Make sure that your study area is consistent. [9] X Research source You’ll be distracted by new sounds and sights if you study in your bedroom one night, in the kitchen the next, and in the basement the next. Pick a location away from distractions.

• For example, do your homework on weekdays after school from 5:00 to 7:00, and then another hour after dinner from 8:00 to 9:00.

• Flashcards are a great way to learn tricky material. Write a problem or question on the front of the card and the answer on the opposite side. Flip through the cards to learn the material—this can be especially effective before tests. [12] X Research source
• Be aware that some facts—such as periodic elements, will simply have to be memorized. [13] X Research source To aid in this process, try coming up with an acrostic or other memory-aid systems.
• Reading ahead in advance is often helpful if you don’t want to be overwhelmed with the new concepts and information being given to you on the next lecture. Skim the chapter before class to get an idea of what you’ll be covering.

Community Q&A

You Might Also Like

• Make sure to tell the teacher if you’re struggling to learn class material. Teachers should always be happy to help, or at least recommend ways that you can approach class material to help you grasp it better. Thanks Helpful 6 Not Helpful 0
• Keep your locker clean. Often students are amazed at how many assignments and papers went missing in their locker at the end of the school year. Keeping it clean will help you stay on top of your school assignments. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 0

• ↑ http://www.brighthubeducation.com/teaching-middle-school/3521-study-skills-for-middle-school-students/
• ↑ http://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/succeeding-in-middle-school/
• ↑ http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/info/planningguides/GettingSet.pdf
• ↑ http://www.sylvanlearning.com/blog/index.php/10-good-study-habits-new-school-year/
• ↑ http://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/study-skills-for-middle-school-and-beyond/

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What I’ve Learned From My Students’ College Essays

The genre is often maligned for being formulaic and melodramatic, but it’s more important than you think.

By Nell Freudenberger

Most high school seniors approach the college essay with dread. Either their upbringing hasn’t supplied them with several hundred words of adversity, or worse, they’re afraid that packaging the genuine trauma they’ve experienced is the only way to secure their future. The college counselor at the Brooklyn high school where I’m a writing tutor advises against trauma porn. “Keep it brief , ” she says, “and show how you rose above it.”

I started volunteering in New York City schools in my 20s, before I had kids of my own. At the time, I liked hanging out with teenagers, whom I sometimes had more interesting conversations with than I did my peers. Often I worked with students who spoke English as a second language or who used slang in their writing, and at first I was hung up on grammar. Should I correct any deviation from “standard English” to appeal to some Wizard of Oz behind the curtains of a college admissions office? Or should I encourage students to write the way they speak, in pursuit of an authentic voice, that most elusive of literary qualities?

In fact, I was missing the point. One of many lessons the students have taught me is to let the story dictate the voice of the essay. A few years ago, I worked with a boy who claimed to have nothing to write about. His life had been ordinary, he said; nothing had happened to him. I asked if he wanted to try writing about a family member, his favorite school subject, a summer job? He glanced at his phone, his posture and expression suggesting that he’d rather be anywhere but in front of a computer with me. “Hobbies?” I suggested, without much hope. He gave me a shy glance. “I like to box,” he said.

I’ve had this experience with reluctant writers again and again — when a topic clicks with a student, an essay can unfurl spontaneously. Of course the primary goal of a college essay is to help its author get an education that leads to a career. Changes in testing policies and financial aid have made applying to college more confusing than ever, but essays have remained basically the same. I would argue that they’re much more than an onerous task or rote exercise, and that unlike standardized tests they are infinitely variable and sometimes beautiful. College essays also provide an opportunity to learn precision, clarity and the process of working toward the truth through multiple revisions.

When a topic clicks with a student, an essay can unfurl spontaneously.

Even if writing doesn’t end up being fundamental to their future professions, students learn to choose language carefully and to be suspicious of the first words that come to mind. Especially now, as college students shoulder so much of the country’s ethical responsibility for war with their protest movement, essay writing teaches prospective students an increasingly urgent lesson: that choosing their own words over ready-made phrases is the only reliable way to ensure they’re thinking for themselves.

Teenagers are ideal writers for several reasons. They’re usually free of preconceptions about writing, and they tend not to use self-consciously ‘‘literary’’ language. They’re allergic to hypocrisy and are generally unfiltered: They overshare, ask personal questions and call you out for microaggressions as well as less egregious (but still mortifying) verbal errors, such as referring to weed as ‘‘pot.’’ Most important, they have yet to put down their best stories in a finished form.

I can imagine an essay taking a risk and distinguishing itself formally — a poem or a one-act play — but most kids use a more straightforward model: a hook followed by a narrative built around “small moments” that lead to a concluding lesson or aspiration for the future. I never get tired of working with students on these essays because each one is different, and the short, rigid form sometimes makes an emotional story even more powerful. Before I read Javier Zamora’s wrenching “Solito,” I worked with a student who had been transported by a coyote into the U.S. and was reunited with his mother in the parking lot of a big-box store. I don’t remember whether this essay focused on specific skills or coping mechanisms that he gained from his ordeal. I remember only the bliss of the parent-and-child reunion in that uninspiring setting. If I were making a case to an admissions officer, I would suggest that simply being able to convey that experience demonstrates the kind of resilience that any college should admire.

The essays that have stayed with me over the years don’t follow a pattern. There are some narratives on very predictable topics — living up to the expectations of immigrant parents, or suffering from depression in 2020 — that are moving because of the attention with which the student describes the experience. One girl determined to become an engineer while watching her father build furniture from scraps after work; a boy, grieving for his mother during lockdown, began taking pictures of the sky.

If, as Lorrie Moore said, “a short story is a love affair; a novel is a marriage,” what is a college essay? Every once in a while I sit down next to a student and start reading, and I have to suppress my excitement, because there on the Google Doc in front of me is a real writer’s voice. One of the first students I ever worked with wrote about falling in love with another girl in dance class, the absolute magic of watching her move and the terror in the conflict between her feelings and the instruction of her religious middle school. She made me think that college essays are less like love than limerence: one-sided, obsessive, idiosyncratic but profound, the first draft of the most personal story their writers will ever tell.

Nell Freudenberger’s novel “The Limits” was published by Knopf last month. She volunteers through the PEN America Writers in the Schools program.

How to build credit as a college student

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Key takeaways

• For young people, building a good credit score can open many doors, including renting an apartment and getting your own phone plan.
• There are multiple ways to start building credit as a student, such as becoming an authorized user, opening a student credit card or getting a cosigner.
• It is important to spend responsibly and maintain a solid payment history in order to keep a good credit score.
• Regular reviews of your credit report can assist you in monitoring your credit growth and ensuring there are no unauthorized charges to your account.

A good credit score is key for a lot of important things in life. It will come into play when you apply for a car loan, a mortgage and credit cards. However, a good credit score may also be a factor in ways that you haven’t considered – especially if you’re a young adult just starting your credit journey. For example, some rental properties will use your credit score as a determining factor in their decision to rent you an apartment, and some cell phone providers check your credit to decide whether you can get financing on a phone.

The sooner you start building your credit, the more time you have to work towards building a great credit score. Here are some things you can do to start the process.

Getting a credit card as a student with little or no credit history

One challenge many students face is getting a credit card in order to start building credit. There are a few roads you can take as someone with little or no credit history. Consider the following options:

Open a student credit card

Card issuers know how important it is for students to have access to credit. Credit cards don’t just help with building a credit score, but can also help take care of daily expenses like gas and groceries. For this reason, many card issuers have special student credit cards tailored to students’ needs.

Student credit cards don’t require a previous credit history to apply and often offer school-related perks , like cash back for good grades. Some student cards offer other benefits , too, like increasing your rewards rate for making payments on time. When used responsibly, using one of the best student credit cards can help you grow your credit score.

Want to see if you pre-qualify for one without affecting your credit score? Check out our CardMatch feature to get matched with a card that best fits your needs.

Open a secured credit card

A secured credit card is another option for building credit if you don’t have a credit history or if your credit score took a hit at some point. You’re almost guaranteed to be approved for a secured credit card offer because of the way secured cards are set up.

Much like a debit card, a secured credit card is backed up by your own cash, paid in the form of a deposit. This deposit will serve as part or all of your credit limit. The difference, however, between a secured credit card and a debit card is that secured credit card activity is reported to credit bureaus. Using your secured card to make small daily purchases is a great way to build your credit score and have access to unsecured credit cards in the future.

Become an authorized user

Having a parent or guardian add you as an authorized user on their credit card can be a great way to start building your own credit if you have no history. As an authorized user, you’ll have the benefit of your own credit card and access to the primary cardholder’s credit limit. However, you won’t have any legal responsibility to pay off the debt on the credit card. In fact, you don’t actually have to use the card at all to reap the benefits of activity on the account towards your credit score.

If you’re looking into this option, make sure the credit issuer reports authorized users to credit bureaus as this isn’t always the case. If authorized users aren’t reported, you won’t see any effect on your credit report.

Get a co-signer

Much like with loans, you can have someone co-sign on a credit card for you. You won’t have as many options for credit cards, though.

When you open an account with a co-signer, you are the primary cardholder. You’re responsible for handling all charges on the credit card and bills will be sent to you in your name. However, in the event that you miss payments, your co-signer is liable for paying off the debt on the account. For this reason, it may be difficult to find someone willing to take on the risks involved with being a co-signer.

Tips for growing credit as a young adult

If you’re trying to build credit, getting a credit card is only half the battle. It’s crucial to understand how to use your card responsibly in order to maintain a good credit score. When you’re first starting out, things like reading your credit report or understanding credit utilization can feel overwhelming; but they don’t have to be. Here are some tips for growing credit responsibly:

Don’t apply for too many cards at once

Once you’ve been approved for your first credit card , it may be tempting to apply for another. However, it’s not advisable to apply for multiple credit cards in a short period of time for a number of reasons.

For starters, applying for multiple credit cards in a short period of time can be a red flag to card issuers. In fact, some card issuers have policies discouraging multiple applications . Not to mention that every time you add a credit card to your wallet, you’re adding the possibility of more debt. That’s a lot of responsibility to take on as a student, especially if you don’t have full-time income.

It’s also not great for your credit score. Each time you apply for a credit card, a hard inquiry is made into your credit report. Hard inquiries lower your credit score in the short term, and multiple inquiries can make you look like a credit risk in the long term.

Maintain a solid payment history

Keeping up with your credit card payments is the most important factor in building your credit score. Payment history makes up 35 percent of your credit score calculation and signals that you know how to use credit responsibly. Using credit responsibly really comes down to making purchases you can pay off. While it may be tempting to use your credit card to buy big-ticket items, that could easily lead to a bill you don’t have the resources to pay. It also takes away from your available credit that you may need for something else.

Instead of making large purchases, use your credit card to make small purchases that you know you will be able to pay off. If you want to use your credit card to buy a higher-priced item, come up with a plan for how you will repay the charges before you make your purchase. Missing a payment, making a late payment or even making less than the minimum payment on your bill is all reported as missed payments to credit bureaus. This will put a dent in the credit score you are trying to build and could leave a mark on your credit report for up to seven years.

Spend responsibly

You may be thinking that in order to get your credit score up, you have to use your credit card a lot. However, credit scores are based on consistent account activity, not high numbers. And the two main factors in calculating your credit score are payment history and credit utilization .

Paying your bills is important, but not overspending is just as important. Credit utilization is how much credit you have versus how much credit you spend. It’s recommended to keep your credit utilization no higher than 30 percent of your total available credit. That means if you have a credit card with a $1,000 credit limit, you would use no more than $300 of it at a time.

A rule of thumb for keeping your spending in a healthy place is to use your credit card like a debit card . Only make purchases that you know you can pay off. Keeping your credit utilization low and regularly paying off your credit card purchases will keep your credit account active and your credit score in a good place.

Keep an eye on your account

Monitoring your credit card account is one way to keep up with your purchases, rewards and bills due dates. It’s a good idea to log in to your credit account frequently to check transactions and your balance. You may even be able to set up notifications for each time a purchase is made on your card. This will help you keep track of your spending, your balance and notify you of any fraudulent purchases quickly.

If you notice any suspicious charges , you want to report them to your card issuer immediately. It is possible that your account has been compromised. Not reporting suspicious behavior in a timely fashion could lead to your account being maxed out which will have an effect on your credit score because of someone else’s bad behavior. It could also take longer for the issue to be resolved and your score to recover.

Check your credit report

When trying to build up a credit score, it’s important to track your progress. One way you can do this is by requesting a credit report. You’re entitled to free weekly credit report from each of the three reporting bureaus (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax). To get your weekly copies, simply request them through AnnualCreditReport.com .

Checking your credit report will allow you to track your credit score and activity on your accounts. You’ll also get a breakdown of how you are doing with the major credit score factors which can help you continue to build your score.

Dispute any errors you find on your report

If you ever spot an error on your credit report, you can dispute it. Call or write a letter to either TransUnion, Experian or Equifax — whichever one had the erroneous report. Each bureau has detailed instructions on how to dispute errors on their websites.

The bottom line

Getting an early start on building credit can help you achieve your financial goals before and after graduation , as well as help you obtain financial products and lower interest rates in the future. You can build credit as a college student by signing up for a student credit card or a secured credit card on your own, or you can try to find someone to be a co-signer for you. You could also ask to become an authorized user on someone else’s account.

No matter how you start your credit journey, just be sure to continue building good financial habits along the way. Don’t overspend on your card, and be sure to pay your bills on time, every time.

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