Most individuals think that intelligence is the main determinant of academic success. Students with high scores are known in many instances to be naturally smart and others just cannot perform at the same pace. Nonetheless, studies and practice have demonstrated that talent does not make a strong academic performance. Success in most instances is borne out of habitual practices, habits, established routines and learning to be effective with time.

The process of learning is not an overnight affair. It is a process, which involves patience, repetition and discipline. Not all students who study the longest hours are really the most successful students but those who can create a routine and make the learning process easier and more organized as well as more sustainable.

Consistency is one of the most significant learning habits. It is much better to study a small amount of material every day than to study ten hours before an examination. The human brain is able to store information as long as it is subjected to repetition. This is the reason why even short review sessions daily contribute to the enhancement of long term memory in the students.

The other critical habit is goal-setting. Students tend to be overwhelmed since they have vague goals when studying like I should study math. Good students will divide the work into smaller, more specific objectives such as I will work on five algebra problems or I will review chapter two notes. Certain objectives ensure that the process of studying is manageable and that the learners can monitor the progress.

Learning environment is also a significant factor to success in learning. Any kind of noise, clutter, and phone notifications tend to immerse a student and distract his/her focus. Creating a specific studying room, at least a small section with good light, can make the process of studying much more focused. When the brain has been linked to a particular location in terms of learning, it would be less difficult to get into a state of concentration.

Good students also do not read passively but they learn actively. It is not enough to underline some pages of the textbook or to read the notes again. Active learning refers to the process of interacting with the content through question and answer, summarising in your own words, teaching another person, solving practice questions or with flashcards. Such approaches compel the mind to think profoundly rather than study information temporarily.

Another skill that is a difference between successful and struggling learners is time management. Most students do not spend time wasting, but they lack a proper structure. Such tricks as the Pomodoro method, when every 25-minute people study and take a 5-minute break, enable to keep concentration without getting tired. Rest is imperative since the brain requires taking rest in order to take in information.

Moreover, good students know how to learn by making mistakes. Most students do not want to look at the wrong answers as it is uncomfortable. And errors are one of the best learning instruments. By having the students reflect on why they did not get something correct, they enhance knowledge and do not repeat the mistakes.

Strong study routines also include sleep and health. Students tend to undermine the impact of rest on learning. The brain is not able to memorize effectively without proper sleep. Concentration and mental energy are also enhanced by good nutrition, hydration and physical activity.

Lastly, motivation increases as students can see progress. It is a long road to education and it will take time to improve. Those students who perform well remain motivated because they are not concerned about perfection.

Eventually, academic achievement is not a secret. It is constructed by habits which any learner can acquire. Consistency, structure, active participation, and patience will help every student to enhance his or her learning capacity and achieve his or her objectives.