--- title: Improving Academic Performance | study skills (2) description: study skills | Here you will find blog posts with pertinent information on taking tests, studying, college admissions, and more. Be sure to read some posts today. (2) --- # Improving Academic PerfORMANCE Learn how to improve yourself through targeted learning and improved study skills. Browse by All News study skills academic performance improve study habits improving academic performance online tutoring growth mindset how to improve my grades improve academic performance improve your grades online educational resources tutoring 1-on-1 tutoring GMAT Blog deliberate practice study tips motivation preparing for the initial tutoring session study help ACT/SAT IQ New tutors brain science college student grit online tutors personalized education private tutoring time management Brain Rules LSAT MCAT Reading Comprehension Uncategorized college prep coronavirus high school improve test scores improving grades mindset private tutors study habits working with an online tutor College Admissions GRE Grit drives academic performance Hiring a tutor Improving Writing Study Planning deliberate practice at school distance learning hard work how to study efficiently increase your academic performance malleable brain math skills online tutor tips organization skills set clear objectives share details share materials strategic study plan study strategies studying ACT/SAT study skills College Applications GMAT GMAT prep John Medina LSAT Prep Managing Stress New Partnerships Paul Tough Strategy Development calculus tutoring college admissions interview college advice college entrance education system gre test prep improving cognition memory techniques neuroplasticity note-taking online classroom online statistics tutor productivity remote learning study the right way test prep strategies tutoring skills tutoring tips undergraduate student ACT ACT study help Boston tutors CPS selective enrollment California tutors Carol Dweck Cognitive Skills College majors Customer service ELA ESL tutoring GMAT reading comprehension GMAT testimonials Heidi Grant Halvorson How to Study for standardized exams Key Factors v. 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It’s a busy time of year in general, and the mounting strain of a large looming test can feel outright agonizing! Fear not. Here is a list of go-to tips to help you be your most prepared and confident self going into those final exams (or any tests, at any time!) [mindset](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/mindset) [study skills](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/study-skills) [how to improve my grades](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/how-to-improve-my-grades) [improve study habits](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/improve-study-habits) [study tips](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/study-tips) [study strategies](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/study-strategies) [improving academic performance](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/improving-academic-performance) [habits](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/habits) ![habits-1.jpg](https://www.myguruedge.com/hs-fs/hubfs/habits-1.jpg?width=320&name=habits-1.jpg)In a previous article on the [power of habits](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/using-the-science-of-habits-to-improve-performance-in-school-part-i),  we discussed how habits are a tool our brains use to be more efficient. Instead of consciously analyzing every situation, thinking about various courses of action, and then deciding what to do, we use habits to automatically do this or that to save time. In theory, this allows us to decide to use our brain power to focus on things that really matter and really do require conscious deliberation. This is sometimes a good and sometimes a bad thing. It’s good when the habit is brushing our teeth each morning and night, or looking both ways before we cross the street. It’s bad when we grab a few cookies without even thinking about it when we are bored, or react negatively to constructive feedback. [study skills](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/study-skills) [improve your grades](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/improve-your-grades) [improve study habits](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/improve-study-habits) [grit](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/grit) [Grit drives academic performance](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/grit-drives-academic-performance) [improving academic performance](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/improving-academic-performance) ![grit-1.jpg](https://www.myguruedge.com/hs-fs/hubfs/grit-1.jpg?width=320&name=grit-1.jpg)Failure ain’t what it used to be. Or, at least, failure is *understood* differently today, as we examine more closely how much it actually helps us in the long run. When we allow failure and setbacks to be learning experiences and jumping off points for the development of resilience and grit, our lives transform. We refine our character all the more, but like a fine work of art that benefits from revision and reframing. Nowhere is such an experience in growth more valuable and applicable than education. [mindset](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/mindset) [study skills](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/study-skills) [how to improve my grades](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/how-to-improve-my-grades) [improve study habits](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/improve-study-habits) [study tips](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/study-tips) [study strategies](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/study-strategies) [improving academic performance](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/improving-academic-performance) ![habits.jpg](https://www.myguruedge.com/hs-fs/hubfs/habits.jpg?width=284&height=177&name=habits.jpg)We write a lot on this blog about how academic success (and other types of success) is much more a function of the choices you make and the effort you put in than a function of your intrinsic or genetic talents. In other words, most recent research suggests, and we firmly believe, that academic skills are built through practice and success comes through developing better strategies and making better choices.  [growth mindset](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/growth-mindset) [mindset](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/mindset) [Carol Dweck](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/carol-dweck) [study skills](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/study-skills) [improve study habits](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/improve-study-habits) [psychology of success](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/psychology-of-success) ![Screen Shot 2017-11-28 at 12.04.49 PM.png](https://www.myguruedge.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202017-11-28%20at%2012.04.49%20PM.png?width=288&name=Screen%20Shot%202017-11-28%20at%2012.04.49%20PM.png)As many readers of this blog know, MyGuru tries to be much more than a place where parents and students can look for a private tutor. We are trying to build a community of parents, students, tutors, and other experts where ideas about how to be healthier, more productive, and academically successful are exchanged. [study skills](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/study-skills) [Writing Sample](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/writing-sample) [improve your grades](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/improve-your-grades) [improve study habits](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/improve-study-habits) [Improving Writing](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/improving-writing) [improving academic performance](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/improving-academic-performance) [improve my writing](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/improve-my-writing) [how to write an essay](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/how-to-write-an-essay) [essay writing](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/topic/essay-writing) ![how-to-write-an-essay-2.jpg](https://www.myguruedge.com/hs-fs/hubfs/how-to-write-an-essay-2.jpg?width=320&name=how-to-write-an-essay-2.jpg)When a paper is looming, it can be easy to get into absolutes and assume that, unless you can get something really fantastic down in the next couple of hours, you’re doomed. But let’s remember the old adage *Rome wasn’t built in a day - *and neither was your essay, short story, or research project. *All *good writing comes from rewriting. Even the greatest writers on earth will admit that their first drafts and ideas were often lackluster. Sometimes downright terrible. So don’t be discouraged. Be willing to write poorly, and then be willing to improve! (Remember that [growth mindset](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/the-classes-that-scare-you)!) ### Follow this blog