Good study habits are essential for academic success in high school, college, and beyond. From this lesson plan, students will learn how certain behaviors and practices can lead to better long-term memory, reasoning, attention, problem solving, and ultimately, greater academic success.

1. Habits for Success: The Building Blocks to College-
Readiness

2. 1. What does it mean to be consistent?
2. What is Bruce Lee trying to convey about his training
philosophy?

3. 1. How do you achieve excellence, according to Aristotle?
2. How does this relate to Bruce Lee’s philosophy?

4. Habits for Success

5. 5
Attention
FACT 1: When it comes to attention, our brains are incapable of focusing on more than
one thing at a time.
- A person who is interrupted takes 50% longer to accomplish a task and makes up to 50%
more errors.
FACT 2: Our attention span is about 10 minutes at a time of concentrated effort. Trying
to cram more in does not leave time for brain to digest new information.
How can you use this fact when studying?
- Do one thing at a time and create a distraction-free zone. Close the tabs on your
computer, set your phone aside so it’s not in your vicinity when you’re studying.
- Take breaks. Focus on a task for 25-30 min, then give yourself a 5 min break to let your
brain process before proceeding.
www.brainrules.net

6. 6
Memory
FACT 1: The more personally meaningful or emotional a new learning, the more likely
you are to lock it in to memory.
How can you use this fact when studying?
- For new information you are reading, annotate the text with connections you can make
from your own experiences. Find a real-world example that relates.
- For vocabulary and foreign language, try writing sentences that use new words or concepts
in ways that are meaningful to you.
- For math, try making a tune , rhyme, or catchy association for remembering a new concept.
Google it for inspiration.
- Across all subjects, try putting a new concept or idea in to your own words. Try teaching a
family member the idea you’re trying to retain.
www.brainrules.net

7. 7
Memory
FACT 2: We remember best when the studying conditions closely match the original
learning environment.
How can you use this fact when studying?
- For homework, try to have your space and materials match the original classroom as best
you can.
- For presentations, do a “dress rehearsal” - practice what you’ll present, and how you’ll set
up, in an environment that mirrors the classroom.
- For exams, do practice tests under the same conditions you’ll face on the day. If it’s timed,
practice this. Multiple choice, free response, essay? Do a dry run of each format- it’ll help
your brain jump in to action when you need it to perform.
www.brainrules.net

8. 8
Memory
FACT 3: If we don’t repeat information, it disappears from working memory. To recall
information over longer periods of time, gradually repeat it.
How can you use this fact when studying?
- Do not cram. Last minute studying will not stick in your memory.
- Plan ahead and calendar your studying. You know when a test is coming. Give yourself
a few weeks in advance to revisit information briefly each night.
- Repeat material in cycles. For example, if you have multiple exams coming up try
studying two subjects per night for 30 minutes each. Monday: Math and History; Tuesday:
English and Science.
www.brainrules.net

9. Sleep
9
Research confirms that sleep loss hurts your ability to think in every measurable way.
Sleep loss hurts:
- Attention: you won’t be able to focus at school after a night of little sleep
- Working memory: learning and new skills get solidified in your brain after a good night
sleep. If you didn’t sleep, you won’t retain that information
- Mood: the less sleep you get the worse your ability to regulate your emotions
- Quantitative skills: problem solving ability requires good sleep
- Logical reasoning ability: making sound judgments, both in school and life, require
sleep
- General math knowledge: your ability to recall math information takes a hit when you’re
low on sleep
www.brainrules.net

10. 10
Sleep
Studies show that a healthy night’s sleep can boost learning significantly.
How much sleep you need is highly dependent upon each of our own biologies. On average, a
good rule of thumb is 6-8 hours per night.
Tips for getting a good night sleep:
- The darker your room, the better you sleep.
- If possible, set your room temperature to around 68 degrees F.
- Reserve your bed for sleep only. Avoid doing school work or leisure activities in bed.
- Screens are stimulating and keep you awake. Avoid using your phone or computer in
bed, as screen time makes it more difficult to fall asleep.
- Set a cut-off time for caffeine intake. Refrain from drinking coffee or tea at least 4 hours
before bed.
- Establish a bedtime routine. The more consistent you are with when you go to bed and
when you wake up, the more benefit you’ll get from sleep.
https://thelocker.whoop.com/2017/05/01/understanding-the-stages-of-sleep-how-to-optimize-it-with-whoop/

11. 11
Exercise
Studies show that exercise improves long-term memory, reasoning, attention, and
problem solving.
How much exercise do you need to see the benefit?
- It turns out that even if you do as little as walk several times a week, your brain will benefit.
- A great goal would be to get 30 minutes of aerobic exercise (jogging, biking, swimming, etc.)
for two to three times a week.
How can you incorporate this fact in to your study habits?
- When taking breaks between homework tasks, consider going for a short walk as well as
doing bodyweight strength exercises (push ups, sit ups, squats)
- Consider joining a sports team or exercise club! Not only is this good for your brain health
and academic performance, many colleges look for candidates who have participated on
sports teams.
www.brainrules.net

12. 12
How Study Habits Translate to Micro-Scholarship $$
By internalizing these study habits, getting consistent sleep, and prioritizing your health and
wellness, you will be practicing the behaviors that make you college-ready.
Make these part of your routine and you’ll be that much closer to academic achievement and
honors and awards that’ll earn you money for college.

13. 13
Reflection Activity
3
Write about three new ideas you learned from this presentation.
2
Write two questions that were prompted from this information.
1
Write one action you intend to commit to from this presentation.