Having been a teacher for more than a decade, I’ve noticed there's a stark contrast between successful students and those who struggle. 



It often boils down to the things that they avoid. 

You see, it's not every single minute with studying. It's more about what they consciously choose not to do that sets them apart.

Today, we cover seven habits you should avoid if you really want to achieve success. 

Let's shed some light on these habits, shall we?

01 Doom scroll

Sure, it can be tempting to while away hours on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. However, they're fully aware of how easy it is to lose precious time in this digital maze.

They know that it’s a slippery slope that can kill their productive. It’s so addicitve that experts have compared it to cocaine or alcohol addiction!

This isn't to say they completely shun social media. Instead, they use it mindfully - setting specific times for checking updates or interacting with friends.

It's all about balance. They know that every minute spent mindlessly scrolling is time taken away from their ability to excel.

So the next time you find yourself reaching for your phone out of habit, remember this - successful students prioritize their time wisely, and so should you.

02 Neglect physical exercise

I've seen this one firsthand - successful students never neglect their physical health.

During my university years, my roommate, Alex, was the epitome of a successful student. And one thing that always struck me was his commitment to staying active, even during the most stressful of times.

While others, including myself, would often fall into the trap of studying for hours on end without moving, Alex would always make time for a quick run or a trip to the gym.

It wasn't about the aesthetics for him. He believed that a healthy body led to a healthy mind. And he was right, as I later learned exercise is tied to so many mental health benefits. 

As noted by Heatlhline, studies have shown that exercise can relieve stress, improve self confidence, make our mood better and even promote sharper memory and thinking. 

If these aren’t the ingredients to successful learning, I don’t know what are!

Don't fall into the trap of thinking studying should consume your every waking moment. Take a leaf from Alex's book - physical activity is essential for maintaining focus and mental clarity.

03 Pull “all nighters”

How often do you stay up late the nights before a big exam studying?

I know a lot of students do this. In university I was one of them. I would cram in so much study before an exam getting by on only four or five hours of sleep per night. 

Of course, I thought I was able to do it. When we are young, we often feel invincible. 

But I wasn’t and looking back, this lack of sleep probably hindered me more than helped me. 

The experts back this up. As noted by UC Davis Health, getting enough sleep can increase our attention span and boost memory and learning. 

I know it can be tempting to think that more time you spend revising before an exam, the better you will do but it’s simply not true. 

If you're pulling all-nighters thinking it's helping your grades, you might need to reconsider. Successful students know that hitting the books is essential, but so is hitting the hay.

How often do you stay up late the nights before a big exam studying?

I know a lot of students do this. In university I was one of them. I would cram in so much study before an exam getting by on only four or five hours of sleep per night. 

Of course, I thought I was able to do it. When we are young, we often feel invincible. 

But I wasn’t and looking back, this lack of sleep probably hindered me more than helped me. 

The experts back this up. As noted by UC Davis Health, getting enough sleep can increase our attention span and boost memory and learning. 

I know it can be tempting to think that more time you spend revising before an exam, the better you will do but it’s simply not true. 

If you're pulling all-nighters thinking it's helping your grades, you might need to reconsider. Successful students know that hitting the books is essential, but so is hitting the hay.