There are many different videos on YouTube, articles on Facebook, and posts on Tumblr that give advice about academic success. Success in classes, in graduate school, in your social life, and everything in between. Instead of combing through many different sources and flooding your feed with a hundred people giving out advice, I condensed some of this advice into a more general post that will apply to several different aspects of academic and personal success.
1. Take advantage of resources
Ever since the Internet became the number one source of information, there has also been an uprising in the amount of resources available at our fingertips. In terms of academics, resources like Quizlet, Coffitivity, Dictionary.com, Khan Academy, Google, and the Forest app are some of the greatest inventions of our time. It can be the difference between a passing or failing grade if these resources are utilized and put to good use.
In terms of your personal and professional life, resources such as mobile banking, budgeting apps like Mint, health trackers, a good planning app such as Planner Pro can make your life much more efficient. Other useful resources are the public bus schedule for emergencies, apps such as Cartwheel and Fandango, a decent system of navigation, and something to keep you on time such as an alarm system. There is an endless amount of useful information available at our fingertips and we should take advantage of it.
2. Keep track of everything
When it comes to being on top of your life, writing things down, keeping a budget, and keeping track of everything important you have to do is essential. There are different ways of doing this, such as keeping a planner (paper or electronic), using sticky notes in places and ways you will remember them, and constantly keeping and updating a to-do list. Whether you need to remember a doctor's appointment, job interview, lunch with a friend, or merely meeting with a professor, you will be on top of it.
3. Take care of yourself
Something that many people forget in the hustle and bustle of school and professional life is to take care of yourself. This means eating regularly, drinking plenty of water and liquids, getting enough sleep, and socializing with people you care about. This is reiterated on many sites, articles, and books but it is easily one of the most important parts of success. Sometimes it can be difficult to get enough sleep and have three well-rounded meals but with enough planning and a sleep schedule, it won't be as crazy.
Overall, remember that success comes through hard work and laughter. Never be too serious, let your plans go if you have to, and remember why you're doing what you're doing.
