With the start of the new semester, many students find themselves feeling drained, unmotivated, and burnt out. Tirelessly working and making deadlines can sometimes feel unattainable, especially when stress carries on throughout the week. Through the more difficult times, students have picked up subtle habits which help to keep the day organized. These actions may seem small, yet they are able to shape the outcome of the day and set up each individual student for success.
Whether it’s pre-prepping breakfast or lunch, getting a good night’s sleep, or even waking up early, it’s these small habits that eliminate unnecessary stress. Something as simple as getting homework done right after school instead of procrastinating can be what makes a student successful. It’s been proven by the International Journal for Current Science Research and Review that small, consistent habits can improve scholastic achievement by up to 20%. These changes may not require much effort or seem significant, but it’s important for each individual student to find what habits and tactics help them succeed.
TLHS student Bo Wilson ‘28 shares that she sets herself up successfully by eating a good breakfast and having an energy drink before school. This habit is what promotes long-lasting energy to get through the day. In fact, a 2019 study by the National Library of Medicine found that students who regularly eat breakfast have significant positive effects on their cognitive development and test on a much higher average.
Several students have noted that mental preparation was key to start their day right. While some students integrate simple steps into their morning routine, others prioritize having a quality night routine. These habits help students feel in control of their day and ease anxiety of what’s next. Emily Elke ‘28 shares how her everyday habit of making her bed “makes [her] feel in control… it’s a small part of [her] day that contributes to the overall productivity of [her] week.” Many argue that it is the night routine that solidifies their success for the following day. Sam Dillon ‘28 says that she prepares her outfit for the next day every night before, which makes a huge difference in the morning.
An NYU study found that almost 50% of students report feeling stressed during the school year. Some Terra Linda students have found ways to combat this by implementing small habits into their routine to ease stress and feelings of being overwhelmed. Kalena Gregory ‘28 shares she aims to complete homework long before nighttime to avoid possible stress. This way, she can spend the rest of the night destressing from the schoolday. Similarly, sophomore Mei Hamelin enjoys playing music on the car ride to school. This habit is proven to boost mood, reduce stress, and improve focus.
All of these students individually shared that it is these small habits that complete their morning or night routine and set them up to be the most successful they can be. Not only do they find productivity and organization throughout the school day are boosted, they find the routine to have long-term benefits. Hamelin explains, “focusing on the smaller things makes it less overwhelming than focusing on the big picture.” These outcomes prove the importance of finding small habits to implement into your routine.
