7 tips to help you achieve academic success

7 tips to help you achieve academic success

January 11, 2023

What is academic success?

Academic success means different things to different people. Whether you want to explore a subject
area that you’re passionate about or enhance your credentials to advance your career, one of the
primary purposes of education is to help you reach your full personal and professional potential. To
achieve your vision for success, it’s important to create clear, actionable objectives and develop good
habits and skills to guide your learning and keep you on track in your studies.

How do you achieve academic success?

Setting achievable short- and long-term goals is one key to academic success. When you set actionable
objectives and incorporate skills and behaviors like time management, good study habits, and resilience,
it’s easier to create and execute an effective study plan, track your progress, and reach your milestones.
If you’re unsure of where to start when it comes to making a plan, read on to explore seven tips you can
implement to align with your unique needs and experiences.

1. Work on your time management skills

One of the most critical skills for academic success is effective management of your study time. Time
management skills are essential because they help ensure you stay on top of all your readings, projects,
and exams. Managing your time well also requires you to stay organized, prioritize your tasks, and plan
out a daily, weekly, and monthly study schedule that you stick to. How you choose to manage your study
calendar is up to you, but you should create a system to track your project deadlines, exams, and study
sessions in a way that’s easily accessible—whether that be a time management app on your phone, an
online daily planner, or a physical calendar. As long as you carve out specific amounts of time each day
or week to ensure you accomplish your high-priority items, you will set yourself up for success. It can
also be helpful to let the important people in your life know about the times you have reserved for your
studies so you can avoid distractions and stay focused on the tasks at hand.

2. Set small goals to help you accomplish large goals

One of the best ways to help you meet your larger, long-term goals is by tackling smaller goals that will
help you achieve the results you desire. Create SMART goals that are clear and realistic and use your
resources and time productively. SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable,
Relevant, and Time-Bound. By setting SMART goals, you give yourself the opportunity to take a hard
look at your objectives, understand what is motivating them, and pinpoint the actions you need to take
to meet them. An example of a SMART academic goal is, “I will work to improve my grade from a B to an
A by devoting four hours a week to studying my notes, readings, and flashcards for the next three
weeks.”

3. Surround yourself with supportive people who motivate you

When you lean on people who support your educational journey, it can invigorate you and help stoke
your determination. With family, friends, and coworkers, it’s important to open up about your
experience of returning to university to enhance your skills—including both your accomplishments and
your challenges. It can also be helpful to share with your instructors and peers at Penn LPS Online.
Because your coursework includes group projects, presentations, and online discussions, you’ll have
many opportunities to collaborate with your classmates, share your experiences, and help each other to
excel in your studies. And you’ll also interact with Ivy League faculty and practitioners who are experts in
their fields who will be more than willing to support you by addressing any questions or concerns you
may have.

4. Build good study habits

Developing and maintaining good study habits is critical to your academic success. When you make good
study habits a part of your daily routine, it can increase your efficiency, confidence, and effectiveness
while reducing anxiety about your coursework. The reality is that your days are likely already packed
with work, family, and other personal responsibilities, so it’s crucial you carve out time to devote to
studying. To help you build strong study habits, it’s beneficial to create a consistent and structured daily
plan. Ensure that you have a dedicated environment that is conducive to studying and avoid
procrastination by holding yourself accountable to your dedicated study sessions. These tips can help:

Take effective notes when listening to lectures or reading course materials

Taking effective notes is extremely helpful for understanding course material and completing
assignments—and there is a definite strategy for doing so. First, be selective and pay attention to the
concepts that your instructor indicates are important—and look for section headings or summaries in
your readings that highlight essential material. Then, once you’ve identified major concepts, rewrite
them in your own words to help make them more understandable and memorable. Finally, go back and
recap each idea in one or two sentences to streamline and highlight key takeaways.

Create mind maps

A mind map is a diagram that represents how various ideas relate to the main concept. Using mind maps
can be an effective way of organizing and summarizing key concepts, particularly if you’re a visual
learner. Start by writing the central concept in the middle of your page and then draw curved lines
branching out with related ideas. Then, you can add branches to the related ideas with further points.
You can also use different colors, pictures, and line lengths/widths to make your maps more memorable
or highlight the most important concepts.

Break up study sessions

While some long study sessions can’t be avoided, if you can break up your study time into shorter
increments, you will be doing yourself a favor. That’s because your brain needs these breaks to process
and store the information that you learn. And stopping to grab a snack, listen to a podcast, or grab
coffee with a friend can help you relax, improve your mood, and allow you to focus better once you
return to studying.

5. Develop your patience and resilience

In a world where our attention spans seem to be getting shorter and instant gratification is often
celebrated, it can be difficult to cultivate patience. But if you want to be successful in reaching your
academic goals, you’re going to have to learn how. Practices that can be helpful to overcome impatience
include being more mindful of your reactions to your environment, calming your mind by practicing
deep breathing or meditation, and rewarding yourself when you reach set milestones.

Resilience refers to your ability to adapt to and overcome life’s challenges. If you’re interested in
learning more about how to become more resilient you should look into APOP 1200: Human Flourishing:
Strengths and Resilience at Penn LPS Online. This course explores the science of positive psychology and
how we can leverage our strengths to contribute to the greater world and enhance our personal well-
being. You will also learn about the physical and psychological protective principles and factors that
comprise resilience and how they can be nurtured to help you flourish in your academics, career, and
personal life.

6. Take care of yourself physically and mentally

You can’t expect to meet your goals if you experience burnout. That’s why it’s so important that you
take care of your physical and mental health. Some effective ways to take care of your body include
eating a well-balanced and nutritious diet and exercising regularly. Remember that being active doesn’t
have to involve going to the gym—it can also be taking a dance class, going for a bike ride, or walking
your dog around the neighborhood. The endorphins that your body produces when you exercise can
help improve your disposition and relax your mind. You should also prioritize sleep to help boost your
immune system, reduce stress, and increase your ability to focus on your studies. Did you know getting
outdoors can improve your mental health? Not only will you enjoy the fresh air, but exposure to sunlight
is also believed to increase the release of serotonin, a hormone associated with improved mood and
sense of calm and concentration.
 Finally, schedule time just for fun! Whether you engage in your favorite hobby, work on a creative
project, or go out to dinner with your partner, when you make the time to do activities that you love, it
benefits your well-being and ultimately increases your chances of academic success. And it’s important
to note that if you do find yourself feeling overwhelmed or struggling mentally during your studies that
reaching out to a professional therapist is always a healthy step to take.

7. Practice positive thinking

People who maintain a positive outlook on life may cope better with stress, have stronger immunity,
and experience healthier and happier lives. Consequently, cultivating a positive mindset can be
invaluable when it comes to learning. Positive psychology is the scientific study of what helps people to
thrive in all aspects of their lives. In APOP 1000: Introduction to Positive Psychology at Penn LPS Online,
you will explore the underpinnings of positive psychology, address questions surrounding what it means
to be happy, and learn the theory and science that supports the conceptual framework of well-being.
With hands-on experiments and group activities, you’ll discover how to build well-being in yourself, in
organizations, and in communities. So, when you’re registering for courses, do yourself a favor and
consider this one.

Are you ready to achieve academic success?

Congratulations on committing to continuing your education and furthering your personal and
professional development. In addition to advancing your academic and career goals, lifelong learning
can also help you improve your self-confidence and self-worth, renew your creativity and motivation,
build soft skills such as critical thinking and adaptability, and enhance your overall quality of life.

The Ivy League courses, certificates, and degree at Penn LPS Online are designed with adult learners like
you in mind, offering the flexibility to obtain new career skills, indulge your unique passions, or earn
your liberal arts degree on a schedule that works with your busy life. At Penn LPS Online, you can pursue
your academic goals while building a foundation grounded in the arts and sciences and broadening your
professional prospects.

View our course guide to see what excites you! Enrollment for certificates and courses and applications
for the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences program are always open. Visit our online application and
get started today!
Step 1: Set Goals
Goals help to keep you going by:

 Providing direction
 Increasing your attention and focus
 Increasing your motivation and effort
 Reducing your anxiety and increasing your confidence

Develop SMART goals that are: Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Realistic,

and Timely

Step 2: Have a Positive Attitude

 Be positive about your ability to succeed
 Look forward to what your will learn
 Have an inquiring mind: get curious about your subjects!

Step 3: Manage Your Time

 Set a realistic schedule for yourself
 Know where your time goes (awareness is key)
 Study for 2-3 hours for every hour of class time (eg. if you have 6
hours of class per week, aim to study at least 12-18 hours per
week).

Step 4: Read Textbooks & Course Readings

 Survey chapters before reading; read the chapter summary, look
for bold and italicized words to indicate important concepts
 Review chapters and readings before class
 Re-read chapter and readings after class
 Make study notes

Step 5: Attend your Lectures

  Intend to learn something each class you attend
 Do assigned readings before class- you'll take better notes
 Ask questions: this will enhance your learning process
 Sit in the first few rows - you'll pay closer attention

Step 6: Record your Lecture Notes

 Take notes in class
 Review and edit notes after class (within 24 hours)
 Aim for 3-4 major reviews of your notes before exams
 Highlight import points, draw diagrams, make definitions

Step 7: Prepare for Exams

 Review past exams
 Make practice study questions
 Memorize definitions and formulae - try cue cards
 Know the type of exam to expect
 Eat balanced meals and sleep 8 hours per night

Step 8: Write Your Exams

 Have a positive attitude; do your best
 Arrive early with an extra pen and any necessary supplies (e.g.,
calculator if permitted - with fresh batteries)
 Read test questions and instructions very clearly
 Budget your time; leave time for review
 Relax and don't forget to breathe

Keys to Academic Success

Accept Responsibility
Remember that you alone are responsible for your academic achievement. Your
instructor is your guide and your classmates may help you to understand your
assignments; however, you are responsible for your own success.

Discipline Yourself
Discipline yourself to study everyday at least two hours or until you understand your
assignment. Study to know and to understand, not merely to get a particular grade.

Manage Your Time

Manage your time well, so that you allow time for your personal responsibilities and
time to study. Remember procrastination is a subtle thief that will steal your academic
success.

Stay Ahead
Stay one or more chapters ahead in reading your textbook.

Help Yourself Then Ask for Help

If you are not keeping up in class, do all that you can do to help yourself to improve
your academic performance. (For example: increase your study time, form a study
group, study with a partner, and use all support services available to you at AMSC.) If
you continue to experience difficulty, make an appointment with your instructors to talk
about your academic performance.

Be Present and Prompt

Avoid being absent or tardy. You are required to attend classes from the first day that
classes begin for the semester. Good attendance will give you first-hand knowledge of
your instructors' comments and responses to questions. Also, good attendance shows

Don't Quit
Do not stop coming to class because of a personal crisis, problem, or frustration. AMSC
faculty and staff can help you determine how to manage or cope with these situations.
The Coordinator of Academic Advisement can tell you the best resource on campus to
help you. If you stop coming to class you will earn an "F," which will lower your GPA.

Communicate with Instructors

If you cannot come to class because you are ill, notify your instructors. Try to make
arrangements to make up your missed assignments.

Do Your Best
Only your best is good enough. Strive for "A's" and "B's," even if you have never earned
"A's" and "B's

Diligently Work Until the End

Do not slow down after mid-semester. Work harder than you did at the beginning of the
semester. Sustain your hard work until the end of the semester.

Use Support Services

Find out about AMSC's support services and use them. (i.e., Academic Support Center,
Student Support Services, Office of Academic Advisement, Office of Counseling and
Testing, and Learning Support Counselors.)

Prerequisites
A prerequisite is a course that must be successfully completed prior to enrollment in
another course (See the AMSC catalog for prerequisites.)

Stay Focused
Focus on your academic goals. As far as possible, eliminate negative influences and
distractions that may prevent you from reaching your goal.