Selt Discipline For The University Student

It has long been said that one’s level of self discipline affects the amount of success one achieves in life. The university years are the perfect time to develop this life skill and character trait because it is a unique time when adolescence is emerging into adulthood and one’s intellectual capacities are being sharpened. Self discipline can be crucial to success as a student because it has to do with developing the “inner strength” or the willpower to make the right choices and put them into action consistently. Self discipline gives an individual the ability to take action regardless of your emotional state and it can empower you to act according to what you think, rather than how you feel at the moment. Specifically, it can help students with goal setting, study habits and time management.

In order to stay focused and self-disciplined it helps to begin by setting up goals for your life. Ask the big questions-what is my ultimate goal? Why am I here? Why does life matter? Create and find a purpose for your life and try to live it out each day. Look for something bigger than yourself and you can transform your efforts into commitment and passion and your hard work into a “labor of love”. Next, determine your particular goals, academic goals, extracurricular and social activities. Then you can figure out what you can accomplish in a daily and weekly schedule. Stick to your top most priorities as defined by your ultimate goals in life and don’t let distractions get you off course or interfere with getting your daily studying done.

In regards to study habits, set clear goals for each class. Learn material the first time it is presented and if you do not understand the lesson, struggle to figure it out and master it immediately. Don’t be afraid to as a lot of questions. Further, don’t pile new material on something you don’t understand. Failing to learn what you are suppose to learn each day will result in cramming for a test, excessive stress and unhealthy work habits. Always strive to study to retain the information.

Admittedly, the university years can be stressful: trying to manage your time while attending classes, working part-time, and finding social time for interactions with family and friends. Conscious effort is required to distribute your time well. And time management is needed to master a proper balance of your time for your day by day activities.

Do you have a sense that you can control your path through life and not just wait for life to happen and react? Self discipline can produce the inner strength and inner purpose and resolve to wipe out any procrastination or disorder and keep you on course to accomplish great things in life. The more you use it, the stronger you will become.

By: Hem Pichmolika

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Reference :

- Norton University Newsletter, September 2010 / January 2011, Page: 76.