4 answers
Paula
Student
Greenacres, Florida
1
Question
Updated
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What is the best advice you have ever received regarding maintaining discipline and building useful study habits How did this advice help you become a more successful student? #Spring2026?
Hello my name is Paula! I am currently a senior in high school. I am thinking of studying psychology and minoring in voice performance. I am still not fully committed to a major as I am still keeping my options open.
For me one of the biggest struggles in high school was maintaining a tight schedule for studying. I found myself procrastinating assignments and fulfilling them poorly.
I wish that for college, since I am able to have a little more freedom with my schedule, my studying habits become stronger and more efficient.
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4 answers
Doran Heck
Music Production
19
Answers
Asheville, North Carolina
Updated
Doran’s Answer
Paula,
I'm 55 years old now but if I had to do college over again, I would make it a habit to spend time studying for all my classes even the ones I didn't like. Make this a habit from the start. Since you are not committed to a major, by putting time into each class, you can make an informed decision about what you will eventually major in.
Procrastination makes you wait until the last minute to finish your assignment(s). Doing it this way doesn't allow you to reach your full potential and can ruin your motivation in the long run to do your best during your stay at college. Remember that the habits you practice during college will set the pace for your life after college, so start off strong about finishing your assignments before they are due. Make sure you are organized to do this such as making a notebook for each class and decorating it based on that particular subject.
College is a great time to help you develop as a productive adult in society. Your question about building successful study habits shows you care about having a successful college experience.
Sincerely,
Doran
I'm 55 years old now but if I had to do college over again, I would make it a habit to spend time studying for all my classes even the ones I didn't like. Make this a habit from the start. Since you are not committed to a major, by putting time into each class, you can make an informed decision about what you will eventually major in.
Procrastination makes you wait until the last minute to finish your assignment(s). Doing it this way doesn't allow you to reach your full potential and can ruin your motivation in the long run to do your best during your stay at college. Remember that the habits you practice during college will set the pace for your life after college, so start off strong about finishing your assignments before they are due. Make sure you are organized to do this such as making a notebook for each class and decorating it based on that particular subject.
College is a great time to help you develop as a productive adult in society. Your question about building successful study habits shows you care about having a successful college experience.
Sincerely,
Doran
Thanks for your encouragement!
Paula
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1376
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Paula,
One of the best pieces of advice I’ve seen that actually works is this: don’t rely on motivation, build a simple system you follow even when you don’t feel like it. What this means in practice is giving yourself a small, consistent routine. For example, choosing a set time each day where you study for a focused block, even if it’s just an hour. In college, your freedom can either help you or hurt you, so having a routine creates structure where there isn’t any.
What also helps is breaking your work into smaller, clear tasks. Instead of saying “I need to study,” decide exactly what you’ll do: read 10 pages, review notes, or complete one assignment section. When tasks are clear and manageable, it’s much easier to start, and starting is what builds discipline. Another important shift is learning to start before you feel ready. Most procrastination comes from waiting for the “right mood.” Successful students act first, and the motivation follows.
This advice works because it removes pressure. You’re no longer trying to be perfect; you’re just trying to be consistent. Over time, those small, repeated actions build strong habits, and studying starts to feel more natural instead of stressful. You don’t need a perfect schedule to succeed in college; you just need a system you can stick to, even on your off days.
Best wishes!
One of the best pieces of advice I’ve seen that actually works is this: don’t rely on motivation, build a simple system you follow even when you don’t feel like it. What this means in practice is giving yourself a small, consistent routine. For example, choosing a set time each day where you study for a focused block, even if it’s just an hour. In college, your freedom can either help you or hurt you, so having a routine creates structure where there isn’t any.
What also helps is breaking your work into smaller, clear tasks. Instead of saying “I need to study,” decide exactly what you’ll do: read 10 pages, review notes, or complete one assignment section. When tasks are clear and manageable, it’s much easier to start, and starting is what builds discipline. Another important shift is learning to start before you feel ready. Most procrastination comes from waiting for the “right mood.” Successful students act first, and the motivation follows.
This advice works because it removes pressure. You’re no longer trying to be perfect; you’re just trying to be consistent. Over time, those small, repeated actions build strong habits, and studying starts to feel more natural instead of stressful. You don’t need a perfect schedule to succeed in college; you just need a system you can stick to, even on your off days.
Best wishes!
John Graham
Music Producer
90
Answers
Bremerton, Washington
Updated
John’s Answer
Hi Paula,
I agree with Chinyere. Here is how I was able to succeed in college: I followed a four-step routine, which relied on repetition to make sure I got the info into my brain:
1> Do the homework (reading, exercises, whatever is assigned) - no excuses, just do it within 24 hours, no matter what.
2> Take notes during class, especially during lectures.
3> Type up your notes
4> Read your notes again before the next quiz or test.
This way, I'd been through the material four times before each test - which was sufficient to remember pretty much anything.
Good luck on your journey - you're going to do great!
I agree with Chinyere. Here is how I was able to succeed in college: I followed a four-step routine, which relied on repetition to make sure I got the info into my brain:
1> Do the homework (reading, exercises, whatever is assigned) - no excuses, just do it within 24 hours, no matter what.
2> Take notes during class, especially during lectures.
3> Type up your notes
4> Read your notes again before the next quiz or test.
This way, I'd been through the material four times before each test - which was sufficient to remember pretty much anything.
Good luck on your journey - you're going to do great!
Loved reading this, thanks!
Paula
Samuel Ofori Amanfo
Musician (pianist
1
Answer
Kumasi, Ashanti Region, Ghana
Updated
Samuel’s Answer
Hi Paula, thanks for the question you’ve asked and an answer to your question is very simple
Discipline comes with focus and consistency. Without this twice you can’t achieve what ever you wanna have. So what you need is to challenge yourself you can do it push harder ,don’t look at anyone but rather your goal, and your determination ahead…
Psychology is a great Course to study and it deals with time. And again if you not prepared or like studying i think it will be difficult for you but if youve set your mind to do it trust me you can do it…
You need to take everything your lecturer will say seriously, note down all the important keywords after the lesson read/search about the keywords from 2 or more books to seek more ideal doing this consistency about 3-6 months trust me you will see changes in that course you facing challenges on
Thank you
Discipline comes with focus and consistency. Without this twice you can’t achieve what ever you wanna have. So what you need is to challenge yourself you can do it push harder ,don’t look at anyone but rather your goal, and your determination ahead…
Psychology is a great Course to study and it deals with time. And again if you not prepared or like studying i think it will be difficult for you but if youve set your mind to do it trust me you can do it…
You need to take everything your lecturer will say seriously, note down all the important keywords after the lesson read/search about the keywords from 2 or more books to seek more ideal doing this consistency about 3-6 months trust me you will see changes in that course you facing challenges on
Thank you
Loved reading this, thanks!
Paula