How to Succeed at Academic Studies - Seven Guiding Principles

Academic success contributes immeasurably to financial, physical and social advancement in our society. It has become the goal of an increasing number of persons worldwide. However, despite its prevalence, success in academic studies continues to elude too large a segment of our population. But you can now put past academic failure behind and reach for the success that awaits you by applying the principles outlined in this article.

1. Set your goal

Goal-setting is important. It gives you focus. Without it, you have no idea where you want to go. Write your study goal and post it on the refrigerator or in some other prominent place where you can read it regularly. Make friends with persons who share your goal to achieve academically. You can be a source of encouragement for each other when quitting seems to be an option.

2. Get Enrolled and Get Rolling

Once you have decided on the course of study you want to pursue, choose an institution and get enrolled. Make it a priority to attend classes regularly. Give your full attention to the teacher or the lecturer during class time. Too often, persons attend classes not so much to learn but to socialize with friends. Let your main reason for attending class be for the purpose of learning. Ask questions when you do not understand a concept being taught. When the teacher ask questions or throws out a topic for discussion, make sure you participate.

3. Take notes

Take notes of the main points of each lesson. If you happen to miss a lesson, ask the teacher or a fellow student to supply you with their notes. Note-taking forms an important part of the learning process. Taking notes keeps your mind focused on what is being done in class. It aids memory by linking a visual component to the information stored in the brain. It allows you to review the lesson at a later date.

4. Review Your Notes

As soon as possible after the lesson, you should review your notes. Reviewing your notes will help you remember more of what was taught in the lesson. At this stage you should write any observations or ideas that were prompted by the review. Note questions that may have arisen. Seek answers the next time you attend class.

5. Produce quality Assignments

When given assignments, do not wait until the last minute and then put something together hurriedly or worse yet copy and paste information from the Internet. Instead, start your research early. Use a variety of sources from which to glean your information. Use books, magazines, journals and the Internet. As you read, note ideas and quotations you may want to use in your assignment. Write your assignment in your own words based on your understanding of the topic as treated in the sources you read. Credit all sources you used in your assignment.

6. Develop Memory Strategies

Your area of academic study may require you to remember and recall many facts. Finding strategies that will aid recall would be invaluable to you at this time. Link the known information to the information you want to remember. For instance, if you want to remember that Bastille Day is July 14 and you know that your mother was born on July 14, then link Bastille Day to your mother's birthday in your mind. In music the word "FACE" has been used to help students to remember the names of the spaces on the treble clef. Another strategy is to find practical applications for concepts you need to remember. These are just a few strategies for aiding recall. You can develop some of your own.

7. Prepare For Examinations

As examinations approach, you should review all topics covered in the syllabus. Pay special attention to areas of weakness. Obtain past exam test papers in the subject you are studying and practice answering those questions. Check your answers to see how well you did and learn from your mistakes. In addition to individual preparation, you may want to review with a group of fellow students. Group review allows for cross-fertilization of ideas with each individual in the group contributing to the review process.

Academic success requires you to remain firm to the ideal of achieving your goal. It also requires much preparation and discipline. You can be the proud holder of that High School diploma or that degree that will facilitate you on your upward social and financial journey through this world.