With a new academic year kicking up again for residents of our student apartments in Missoula, we wanted to take this opportunity to share some habits of good college students that we see embodied in our residents. A new year is ahead of us, and it’s the perfect opportunity to create some new habits (or reinforce some old ones) that will set you up for success in the coming year. These habits can help improve every aspect of your college experience, from your grades to your social life.
Be sure to pass this post along to any friends or neighbors in our community of Missoula student apartments who you’d like to help thrive this year! Now without further ado, let’s get into it!
Find The Right Time Management Tools For You
There’s no one right way to practice time management, and finding the method that’s right for you can take a bit of trial and error. There are lots of strategies to try, from online calendars to pen-and-paper planners, bullet journals, and more. Whatever you choose, it’s important to keep a schedule that helps you keep track of your obligations and plan ahead so you always have enough time for all the things in your busy student life! This is important throughout the semester, but never more so than at the semester’s end, when lots of due dates and other obligations compete for our time and attention.
If there’s one time management tool we recommend most, it’s the simple to-do list. Whether on your phone or written on paper, having a to-do list organized by priority at the top of each day helps keep you on track while you go about your day. Making tomorrow’s to-do list before you go to bed at night can also be a great way to put your anxious brain to rest, knowing that you won’t forget to do those things tomorrow.
Ask Questions
The most successful students are those who take control of their own education, and the simplest way to do that is to ask questions. Raise your hand in class, consult with fellow students, and take advantage of your instructors’ office hours! Professors want to help, but if you never communicate with them, they have no opportunity to do so.
Even when you feel you understand a concept, formulating questions about that concept helps deepen and reinforce your mastery of that concept. Get in the habit of reviewing your notes after class and jotting down a question or two that would help you more fully understand what you’ve been taught. Then ask your instructors and/or classmates for help answering them. Practice curiosity and critical thinking, and you’ll get a lot more out of your classes (not to mention better grades).
Take Care of Your Brain and Body
Physical and mental health are essential to successful learning. Sometimes coursework and other obligations can feel overwhelming, and health can end up taking a backseat. It’s times like these when it’s particularly important to refocus on how you can maintain your physical and mental health amid life’s challenges.
Being healthy doesn’t have to take a lot of time or effort either. Get out of your Missoula student apartment and take a 15-minute walk to rejuvenate your mind and get a little exercise. Take a lunch break and eat a balanced meal. Journal or talk to someone regularly about your stresses and challenges. Hop on down to Brio Fitness for a quick workout. Spend some time in the sunshine (perhaps at our outdoor courtyard). Good health is essential for good schoolwork, so every moment you spend taking care of yourself also helps you be a better student.
Which of these habits do you need to work on most? Whatever your answer, we hope we’ve helped inspire you to make changes that will help you succeed and enjoy your college experience even more! If you found this post helpful and you want to see future recommendations, tips, and features, go ahead and bookmark our blog page for easy access to future posts! Beyond that, be sure to follow us on Instagram so you aren’t missing any community updates, events, and special offers!