Sharpening Your Mind for a Productive Academic Journey
Sadik Omolola
The hustle and bustle have finally begun! It’s a new academic session, a new dawn—a new, exciting yet challenging phase. The scent of anticipation fills the air. Before you are pages of notebooks, textbooks, and clusters of materials, whether printed or not. Once again, it’s that time of year to see your classmates almost every day, attend lectures, and tackle new courses.
However, it’s not just about books and lectures; it’s about nurturing one of the most powerful tools you possess: your mind. To excel in this new academic session, it’s crucial to make mental preparations, explore different strategies to enhance focus, manage stress, and cultivate a positive mindset. Even before the first lecture begins, mental preparation sets the foundation for your entire academic journey.
Reflect on your previous academic performance. This point is for those who’ve been here a while! Take some time to evaluate your past performance. Analyze the areas where you struggled and figure out what you need to do differently to improve your grades.
Take notes and keep them handy; they’ll serve as valuable references as the session progresses.
Set academic goals. Setting academic goals will provide you with a sense of direction and the motivation to strive for better grades. Especially for freshmen, setting academic goals will help you adapt and thrive in this unfamiliar environment. Set SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) goals for yourself. These goals can include achieving a specific CGPA this session, actively participating in the organizations you join, making new friends, expanding your social circle, and improving your performance in specific courses.
Create a study plan. Developing a study plan that suits your lifestyle and schedule is imperative. Your study plan should consider factors such as class schedules, work commitments, your social life, extracurricular activities, and other personal obligations. A well-crafted study plan will help you avoid procrastination, stay on track, prioritize your academic work, and ensure that you remain focused throughout the session.
Adopt good study habits, such as taking frequent breaks, using flashcards, practicing active listening, and summarizing key points. Doing these can positively impact your ability to comprehend.
Manage Stress. University life can be demanding, which is why managing stress is crucial. Practice stress-relief techniques from time to time, such as deep breathing exercises, taking breaks to rest, and spending time outdoors at night to enjoy the fresh air.
Prioritize sleep. A well-rested mind is more alert and effective at retaining information. In short, put your ‘To-Do List’ aside sometimes and prioritize sleep.
Engage in hobbies and connect with peers. Pursue interests outside of academics that recharge your mind and prevent burnout. Whether it’s sports, arts, music, volunteering activities, or anything else, taking these breaks and interacting with peers will provide a refreshing pause and help you build a strong support system.
It’s important to understand that academic success requires more than just attending classes and completing assignments. Your mental state plays a crucial role. A positive mindset is likely to result in improved academic performance, while a negative mindset can lead to the opposite.
