Study Habit to Get Better Grades in College

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  • January 3, 2019 at 5:06 am #4688
    Anonymous
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    The goal is ultimately to fully master programming languages (C, Java, etc.) but getting better grades in college is supposed to be the tangible proof of that mastery. The grades are also a kind of short term goal that I have to meet as each year goes by. The mastery that comes with the grades just happens to be the long term goal.

    To achieve that goal, I have to be someone that doesn’t get tired of studying. I need to have the will to study despite not being in the mood. I need to believe that I can get the hang of programming. I should approach my studies in a way that doesn’t make me afraid to make mistakes.

    I’m going to get one book for each of the programming languages available, and then I’ll take the exercises from each chapter and work on them one at a time, thirty minutes each day aside from my current class schedule.

    January 4, 2019 at 6:27 am #4695
    Ofpad
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    Hey, Tyrone! It’s good to know that you are looking to become someone that doesn’t stop studying even if it gets boring. I think it’s a good idea to look for books that specify what skill level is appropriate for you. Some books will be beginners guides, others at the intermediate level, and others at the advanced level. You’ll need to be aware of this so that you don’t get overwhelmed by picking up a book that will still be beyond your capabilities.

    January 8, 2019 at 5:23 am #4689
    Anonymous
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    30 Minutes of Extra Study a day is the absolute bare minimum, considering that I already do this on top of what I need to do to pass the class. This early on, I will set the upper limit at 1 hour.
    Every week, I’ll add one minute to the extra study time. I’ll use a timer to keep track of the time.
    If the study time gets too long, I’ll split it into sets of two hours on the weekends.
    During weekdays, I’ll keep the extra study time at two hours max. During weekends, I’ll keep it at 4 hours max.

    January 9, 2019 at 6:29 am #4696
    Ofpad
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    So far, so good! I suggest splitting your study time during the weekdays to two sets of one hour each, since you want your extra study time to be 2 hours max from Monday to Friday.

    January 14, 2019 at 5:45 am #4690
    Anonymous
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    On weekdays, I will probably start the study habit after my morning routine, around 7AM. The same applies for the weekends, but it’ll be before I start my wind down routine. around 8PM.

    Link to the Amazon Calendar
    https://www.amazon.com/Magnetic-Dry-Wipe-Monthly-Calendar/dp/B07BNBNJ4Z?ref_=Oct_TopRatedC_490575011_1&pf_rd_p=8327ec9e-4d4e-5f5c-886f-600e7d3b9327&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-6&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=490575011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=F5HP86Y3ZVBVK799ENWH&pf_rd_r=F5HP86Y3ZVBVK799ENWH&pf_rd_p=8327ec9e-4d4e-5f5c-886f-600e7d3b9327

    To make my habit easier to do, I placed the book near my PC in my room so that I can see it as I go about my morning routine. I always go into my room to get changed so I will see the PC and be reminded to do my habit that way.

    Other events I can use as a trigger for my habit include my flossing, after I walk my dog, and after I get my breakfast and coffee. I’ll try to see first if doing my habit after changing my clothes works before I test out these other triggers.

    January 15, 2019 at 7:25 am #4698
    Ofpad
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    Hey, Tyrone! Do let us know when you have tested the other triggers. We look forward to hearing the results.

     

    January 21, 2019 at 5:50 am #4691
    Anonymous
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    The first small step is to turn on my PC and open my book. I have the exercise I am currently working on Bookmarked, so I don’t forget where I left off. All I need to do is to open the programs needed (like NetBeans) and then start the exercises. I won’t be able to stop until the timer rings.

    The Identity Mantra is: I don’t forget to do an exercise from my book everyday.

    January 22, 2019 at 7:23 am #4697
    Ofpad
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    This is a good idea. I also suggest that if you have an exercise that you had to leave unfinished from a previous day, you should leave it visible on your desktop so that when you turn on your PC you will be reminded of what you need to finish.

    January 28, 2019 at 5:57 am #4692
    Anonymous
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    One of the decisions I have to make that will interrupt my habits is to figure out which book to get next just before I finish the previous one. I’ll make it easy for myself by buying the book online and ahead of time.

    One of the biggest things that stop me from doing my habits is if schoolwork is big enough that I have to dedicate so much more time for it than usual. It’ll be easier for me if I integrate my extra study time with whatever huge schoolwork relates to programming so that I hit two birds with one stone.

    While I study, I turn off the modem for the internet which is downstairs and far away from my room. That way, I am not easily tempted to connect to social media while I study.

    January 29, 2019 at 7:26 am #4699
    Ofpad
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    It’s definitely a good idea to turn off your internet connection so that you don’t get distracted while working. If your phone has mobile internet, it’s also a good idea to keep it away from you until you are done with your habit.

    February 4, 2019 at 6:05 am #4693
    Anonymous
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    My dad is strict and is primarily the one checking on my grades, so inevitably he will keep me accountable. He also knows about the habit challenge and is expecting me to make the most out of the money I spent trying the habit challenge out.

    I’m not quite comfortable with announcing my habits to the public, let alone pledging money.

    February 5, 2019 at 7:32 am #4700
    Ofpad
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    Hey, Tyrone. It’s good that your father is holding you accountable. Is he also well-versed in programming? If yes, then it’s a good idea to set aside time during the weekends to talk to him about your progress.

    February 11, 2019 at 6:09 am #4694
    Anonymous
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    • Topics: 3
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    If I do not have the time or energy to study at the normal pace, I’ll do 15 minutes of practice with the most recent programming function that I have learned.

    The biggest events that disrupt my progress are:

    Huge Schoolwork
    Power Outages
    Errands

    If i have a huge schoolwork related to programming, then I will integrate my extra study time with my schoolwork.
    If the huge schoolwork isn’t related to programming, then I will do 15 minutes of practice instead of the full length so that I can dedicate the rest of the time to the huge schoolwork.
    If there is a power outage, then I will continue studying by writing the lines of code on paper and then testing them out when the power goes back online.
    If I have an errand, then I will do them as I walk my dog so that I can retain as much of the extra study time as possible.

    February 12, 2019 at 7:37 am #4701
    Ofpad
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    It’s good that you have a thought out plan B for your habits. 🙂 I would also suggest adding an extra If-Then line for vacations or time where you’re not going to be living in the same room where you study for a while.

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