Right now, you're standing on a launch pad.

 In a few months, you'll be off to college, work, or taking  a gap year. The way you spend these last few months can either prepare you for a smooth takeoff or a rocky ride. What about these habits?

They are your rocket fuel. 

1. You level up each year

Ask yourself, "Why am I doing this?" before you start studying for that math test or joining five clubs. Clear motivation and focus are maintained by people who know their ‘why’ (Deci & Ryan, 2000). Is it to gain admission to the college of your dreams? Discover something interesting? Make an impression on your future self. Decide on your "why," then make plans for the "how."

2. Take control of your energy rather than just your time

Running on fumes leads to… less than optimal output. According to research done at Stanford, productivity diminishes after a certain threshold of mental tiredness.  Getting enough sleep, being hydrated, and taking genuine breaks may be more productive than you think.

3. Use the 80/20 rule

According to the Pareto Principle, 20% of your actions yield 80% of the results. This implies that  few tasks are far more important than the others. 

Decide what matters most to you, such as the tasks, routines, or abilities that advance you, and focus all of your efforts on them. Prioritize, strategize, move. Ask yourself: What would I be focusing on if my exam would be in the next few hours. This guides you where to start!

4. Who you spend time with matters

In his well-known statement, Jim Rohn stated that "you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." Peer pressure has a direct impact on your objectives, grades, and even behaviors, according to science (Fletcher, 2010). Hang out with people who will push you ahead rather than draw you back.

5. One step at a time

Your brain enjoys little victories. Psychologists refer to this as the "progress principle" (Amabile & Kramer, 2011). If you are required to write a paper, begin with the title. Completed. Next, do the introduction. Completed. You will gradually stop feeling overloaded. Small wins are still wins. 

6. The myth of multitasking.

Do you think you're killing it by watching TikTok while completing homework? I'm sorry, but you lose efficiency every time since your brain moves between tasks quickly (American Psychological Association, 2006). Do your work in blocks. You'll do tasks more quickly and effectively. You can use apps like Forest to help you maintain control when its comes to doom-scrolling. 

7. Put things in writing!. 

According to the "Zeigarnik effect," your brain reminds you of activities that you haven't completed. Your focus is freed when you write them down in google calendar or the notes app. You can use apps like Notion to help you get organized in no-time. 

This will reduce the chances of procrastination (Baumeister & Masicampo, 2011). Bonus: ticking them off feels incredible.

8. Ask, ask, ask

Curiosity is a superpower that may be used in lectures, discussions, and online. Active inquiry has been linked in studies to improved problem-solving abilities and deeper knowledge (Harvard Business Review, 2018). Asking "why?" more frequently will help you become smarter  quickly. And no you're not dumb for asking for clarifying your queries. 

9. Your attention span is your currency

Notifications, constant scrolling, and background TV are all attention vampires. After one distraction, it takes more than twenty-three minutes to refocus, according to a University of California research (Mark et al., 2008). You'll be surprised at how much you can accomplish if you put your phone in a different room for half an hour or even behind your laptop. It should be somewhere where your hands don't reach while studying.

10. Learn outside of the classroom

Photo by Armin  Rimoldi: https://www.pexels.com/photo/crop-unrecognizable-male-students-studying-together-in-park-5553061

School teaches you the fundamentals, but if you want to go above and beyond, study something just because it's intriguing. Watch TED talks, take free online courses (Khan Academy, Coursera), or master a skill on YouTube. This habit accumulates over time, much like interest on a bank account, but for your brain. Reading, writing, algebra, a little history, and even a frog dissection if your biology teacher is feeling ambitious are all included in the beginner bundle. What about the actual magic? That is what occurs when you pursue your curiosity without regard for grades.

It's like when you're scrolling through YouTube late at night and accidently come upon a 10-minute video demonstrating how ancient Romans built aqueducts — and then you're three videos in, Googling "how did they measure water flow without modern tools?" There is no test. There's no homework. Just pure fascination. 

Quick Recap for When You Feel "Meh"

• Begin with your why.

• Rest and recharge are essential aspects of work.

• Concentrate on the 20% that matters most.

•   Surround yourself with driven individuals.

•  Break things down into small, manageable bits.

•  Stop multitasking; it's false productivity.

•    Write things down to clear your mind.

•   Ask "why" and "how" more frequently.

•  Eliminate distractions when working on critical tasks.

• Learn beyond the classroom.

Collectively, these tips can significantly improve one's study life experience. Begin with one or two this week — perhaps reducing distractions and asking more questions — and see how quickly tiny improvements accumulate.