How To Become An Independent Student-Studying at the university level requires a different mentality and set of abilities than studying at a lesser level. If you want to escape the risks of university education and instead kick butt, you must become an independent learner. The holy grail of education is self-independent learning. It is regarded as the cornerstone to successful learning because it transforms how students absorb and apply what they learn.
Many students may find this intimidating since they depend on instructor assistance, and the shift may be challenging. On the other hand, students will learn to take their learning into their own hands and proceed on the route to success with the right direction and care.
Who Is An Independent Student?
An independent student is one who can take charge of their own education. These are pupils who can take the initiative and make sound judgments without the assistance of teachers. Independent students take the initiative. They are excellent problem solvers who also know when to seek assistance. Independent students consider and prepare for the future.
They are deliberate in their research and choose the appropriate approaches for their course. They manage their time well and are committed to self-improvement. Finally, an independent student recognizes that they are accountable for their education. They take control of their lives and realize that no one will press them to invest more effort or time into their accomplishments.
How To Become An Independent Student
1. Set Objectives
Set academic objectives for oneself that relate to both short-term and long-term learning. It is critical to self-direct your successes, whether one of your objectives is to attend college someday or to obtain a decent score on an upcoming exam. Goals can help you stay focused throughout your study and remember what you are working for.
2. Maintain Focus
Independent students understand how to concentrate in the face of distractions. They understand that they are accountable for their own development and do not allow other people or circumstances to get in their way. They prioritize academics and have their eyes fixed on long-term educational ambitions.
3. Make A Schedule
A planned schedule after school might help you keep academic attention at home. Your daily regimen should include a set time and location for homework and studying. The idea is to limit distractions and commit to prioritizing assignment completion above other activities. A regimen for getting ready for school each morning might also be useful.
4. Believe You Are Intelligent
The assumption that your intellect is immutable is known as a fixed mentality. You are either intelligent or not. You are either a “test person,” or you are not. On the other hand, independent students have or are developing a growth mindset, which is the concept that your level of intellect can be enhanced. They think that they may grow smarter with hard effort, patience, and proper study skills. So believe you are what you want and strive to achieve it.
5. Build Your Confidence
Be bold to ask questions, and be confident to join reading groups. Believe it or not, confidence isn’t something you have or don’t have—or it doesn’t have to be. Self-esteem is something that may be deliberately built through time. Think about the qualities that you like in yourself. They may be associated with your education, physical appearance, personality attributes, or any abilities or skills you possess.
Write them down, post them where you’ll see them frequently, and add them to the list. You may also boost your confidence by telling the negative voice in your brain that you’re not good enough—not it’s true! Working on your self-esteem will help you reduce your reliance on others and give you the confidence to excel in your education.
6. Know When To Seek Assistance
An independent student understands the importance of problem-solving on their own. Changing your perspective on an issue, or taking a break and returning to it, might help you glimpse a glimmer of a solution.
However, get assistance if you’ve attempted to solve an issue and are still stuck. An independent student recognizes that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. So, talk to your instructor if you’re having trouble understanding a subject or figuring out how to handle your next essay.
7. Never Be Surprised By Due Dates
There is never a justification for missing a deadline you were unaware of. So don’t bother trying to recall due dates. Instead, devise a system to track every practice test, essay due date, and exam.
Independent students organize their homework around due dates. They work from the essay deadlines to determine when to begin, when to complete the first draft, and when to submit. They are aware of their test or exam period so that they may plan when to begin their revision.
8. Always Take Notes
Do you recall everything from today’s class? No, you don’t. Within an hour of learning anything, people forget about half of it. Add in several college-level coursework, obligations, and stress, and that figure could quickly rise for college students.
Taking notes, whether on paper or on a laptop, helps you assimilate and recall class content for extended periods (mainly when you regularly review them). According to studies, most students who take notes do better in class.
9. Get Enough Sleep
It’s difficult for a college student to combine school, personal life, and a job (if you’re working), and we’ve all seen 1 a.m. submissions. However, don’t underestimate adequate sleep’s impact on your academic performance. According to Harvard.edu, just 11% of US college students sleep well, and 40% feel well rested only two days per week.
Make sure to get adequate sleep, even if it means preceding some of your spare time. Your grades will improve, you will achieve more, and being a better student will be easy.
10. Take Your Time
It is critical not to overburden oneself when juggling all of the demands of college. You may be able to graduate sooner if you take 20 credits every semester, but you risk jeopardizing your grades and expertise if the workload becomes too difficult.
More than 80% of students report feeling overwhelmed by the number of tasks they must do. Burnouts negatively impact your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Make and stick to a routine to minimize burnout. It should involve regular physical activity, leisure time, and social activities.
11. Don’t Miss a Class
This advice most likely took you off guard. But it goes hand in hand with taking notes. If you have a choice between an on-campus and an online class, take the on-campus option for greater learning. Especially for courses in which you believe you would struggle.
You’re more aware, attentive, and focused when you’re in a real class. If there is no other option and you must take courses online, try to focus as much as possible. Find a quiet place and stay there if feasible. This is particularly critical if you want to complete college early – you don’t want to skip courses as your workload increases.
12. Make Rules
The key to being a great student is maintaining concentration on crucial topics. However, it is now more difficult than ever. Set some ground rules for yourself to prevent being distracted every 10 minutes. For example, don’t use your phone or computer (save for taking notes) in class, when completing assignments, or studying for exams. Likewise, the television should not be playing in the background. Instead, focus your whole concentration on the work at hand.
13. Establish Expectations With Your Friends
Your friends must understand your desire to improve yourself. It does not imply that you should forego all of the enjoyment of college. Instead, it indicates that everything has a proper time and place. If you keep to your routine and plan, you will have more free time to rest. However, your buddies should recognize that your priority is long-term if the midterm is approaching.
14. Make New Friends
Your college’s professors are the finest source of support, course aid, and even career advice. They’ve been where you want to go. Demonstrate your interest in and knowledge of the subject topic throughout the class hour. Participate actively so that people notice you. Even better if you can connect with them outside of class. People often approach college teachers in search of students who can provide value. Be the type of student eager to take on new responsibilities and put your classroom knowledge to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Create a self-service creation zone at home
- Establish a homework plan
- Allow children to work in their manner
- Positive reinforcement and incentives
- Self-evaluations
- Remind them that struggle is beneficial
Independent learning occurs when a person is able to think, act, and pursue their own studies independently, without the same levels of assistance provided by a teacher at school.
First, it can foster curiosity by giving opportunities for long-term study and other activities. It can foster teamwork by integrating parents and others in the learning process, serving as a key motivator.
Numerous studies show that your critical thinking and analytical abilities are most efficient between 2 and 5 p.m. During this phase, your brain may be very effective at absorbing and digesting new information. Afternoons are also ideal for exploratory learning.
Distractions have a detrimental impact on study time and learning quality. When attempting to concentrate on studying, avoiding all types of distractions, including mobile devices, television, and computers is crucial. Students should make every effort to study in a distraction-free atmosphere.
Reference
- https://www.uottawa.ca/gazette/en/news/five-bad-study-habits-avoid
- https://www.connectionsacademy.com/support/resources/article/6-keys-for-online-students-to-develop-independent-study-skills/
- https://breezycollege.com/how-to-be-a-better-student
- https://www.carinocounseling.com/blog/how-to-become-independent
- https://www.lsbf.edu.sg/blog/motivation-and-inspiration/what-is-the-best-time-for-studying-day-or-night/
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