Level up the semester with the tools and mindset to achieve your learning goals.

One of the best perks of starting a new year is that it gives you a reason to start acting on your goals. Whether it may be new or forgotten, setting your eyes on a goal is an excellent drive to welcome another year.

A New Year’s resolution you may have is to make your study game strong. As a post-secondary student, we both know improving your study habits is up your list. The good news is that it’s a possible feat. With a dash of hard work and the right study essentials, you’re on your way to owning the new semester.

Securing the right tools in your shed is the trick to getting you started on the right track. Diving into a new semester can be overwhelming, but having the right study essentials can make all the difference.

Finding new ways to revamp how you study? Wish granted! We have the study essentials right from students’ backpacks. Here are some of the study essentials they swear by to get them through the study grind.

Music

Listening to music is proven to improve your mood and creativity. However, music is more than that. Did you know music can also improve mental alertness and memory? That’s why it’s no stranger for students to listen to music to improve focus—there’s no better way to keep you on track than a good track.

This is business insights and analytics student Rajkumar’s pick for his study essential. He said listening to lo-fi music or any calm, peaceful music has kept him in focus. Whether he’s doing an assignment or simply working, a constant beat or rhythm keeps his attention on the task.

“You don’t focus on the music. You get to focus on whatever you’re doing,” he said.

As a fan of video games, Rajkumar said he leans towards lo-fi gaming sounds. His latest playlist is lo-fi music inspired by the video game Black Myth: Wukong. He said the relaxing and peaceful sound is perfect to get you in zen mode.

If you’re looking for more soothing music options, there are more ways to find the beats that suit you. Tanvir Singh, an advertising media management student, said looking at your phone’s built-in features can be a good way to do so. As an iPhone user, he uses the hearing feature on his phone to block background noise whenever he studies.

Singh added that the relaxing and familiar tone that his phone offers on loop calms him down. In turn, it sets him up for a more attentive mind, ready to absorb information.

Earbuds

The ever-trusted earbuds complement a musically induced learning session. It is definitely a must-have study essential. Human resources management student Keshmin Vyas said her earbuds have been her weapon for staying focused when reviewing her notes.

Vyas frequently spends her study time at Humber Polytechnic Lakeshore Campus’ Learning Commons. This means that chatters and background noises can be a cause of distraction. But, she said it’s nothing that her earbuds can’t handle.

“They allow me to listen to my favourite songs, and that helps me concentrate as well,” Vyas said.

Vyas noted that she loves to keep her earbuds around as they add an element to her life while studying. She knows that it’s focus time once she has her earbuds on.

Laptop

With everything going digital, it’s unsurprising that a reliable laptop is an essential student study tool. Gaeun Park, an advertising and marketing communications student, said that her laptop is one of the constant contents inside her school bag. She mentioned that the device has enabled her to multitask and get work done efficiently.

Park said that her laptop has been her primary tool in dealing with the information she needs to understand as a marketing major. As a graphic artist, Park calls her laptop her third arm as the vital applications she needs for design work are accessible only through her laptop.

Snacks

Studying can be exhausting, especially when it takes long hours. This makes snacks a good company for your study sessions. A global business management student, Alfred George, lists snacks as his study must-have. George said he needed a steady supply of snacks around to study. It keeps his energy up and his mind sharp to tackle any concept.

“The best study snack for me is a classic Tim Hortons donut or Timbits,” George revealed.

George said he loves how Tim Hortons is easy to grab and quick to eat. This makes it a convenient pick-me-up bite while studying. For him, it is just the right amount of sweetness boost to keep him going.

All set for the study grind!

Having the right study essentials can make all the difference in setting yourself up for academic success. All of these tools work for these students. Take what you can, see what you think works for you and put it to the test.

Regardless of your academic tools, remember that the essential study tool you will ever need is your drive to improve daily. It’s all about grit and your willingness to succeed. This is a study essential that can get you through the highs and lows of the semester.

So, usher in the new year and the new semester with the right tools and a positive mindset in your pocket. Let the new year semester start. Happy learning!

Feature image courtesy of  Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels.

New year calls for a new perspective! Read IGNITE’s article on the best affirmations to start your day.

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