Contrary to contemporary opinions, routines are more than just timetables and schedules. Rather, they are thorough action plans that one can use to achieve their goals. Following routines may often seem daunting because of the limiting aspect it may seem to have, however, this short article proves how the benefits and importance of using routines can help students attain better academic results.

According to studies conducted, having a routine has helped students manage their time better. Nasrullah and Khan (2015) concluded that students who were successful in their studies were often better time managers. Thus, in order to create routines that reflect effective time management, they argue that there are 3 fundamental aspects of successful routine creation. This involves long range planning, short range planning and having the right time attitude. In other words, students must have long term objectives which can be achieved through weekly or daily short term goals. The mediating variable of having a time attitude would mean that one must “concentrate on results, not on being busy” (Nasrullah and Khan, 2015, p. 68). 

All too often, many students believe that as long as they are preoccupied with tasks and schedule their day to include different activities, then that would equate to effective time management. However, it is important to strike a difference between studying smarter and not harder so one can channel their strengths and abilities into the right responsibilities and activities. Moreover, having study routines has also proven to increase productivity. When students have a plan of what they need to study and when they will do so, it can help them manage their time better so they can fulfill all the tasks they want to achieve, which ultimately improves their productivity levels.

Additionally, creating study routines is important since it can help reduce stress and anxiety. This is because when people do predictable tasks at regular times, they know what is expected and can be less anxious or worried since they feel a sense of control over their day. Hence, using study schedules can help students improve their physical health and mental wellbeing since they can plan out their work while having enough time to rest.

Lastly, using a routine can also help students perform better in their exams and achieve higher grades. Research has shown that there is a significant difference in performance between students who study a day or two before the exam day compared to others who use effective habits to study in advance (Blasiman, Dunlosky and Rawson, 2017).

In conclusion, the benefits of creating routines have proven fundamental for academic achievement. Nonetheless, as with all things in life, a balancing act of using routines to fulfill one’s goals while still having some aspect of flexibility when unexpected changes happen is key to true academic success. Undoubtedly, routines would look different for each student based on their learning techniques and commitments, but having a routine is vital for high performance.

Reference List

Nasrullah, S. and Khan, M.S., 2015. The impact of time management on the students’ academic achievements.

Blasiman, R.N., Dunlosky, J. and Rawson, K.A., 2017. The what, how much, and when of study strategies: Comparing intended versus actual study behaviour. Memory, 25(6), pp.784-792.