When it’s time for you to get academic work done—do you have a routine? Is there a place you go, a method you use, a particular time you start, or anything else you’ve identified as the way that works best for you? The best students usually have an answer, and it’s not because they’ve found the one routine that works for everyone (although eliminating distractions and focusing is probably at the top of most lists).
I listened to a podcast this week with writer, actor, and director Jon Favreau. When asked about his process for writing (he most recently wrote, directed, and starred in the movie, Chef), he had a really detailed explanation that included how he starts, where he looks for information, and an explanation of why he jots ideas down in a particular type of notebook. He doesn’t hope that great ideas keep coming or wait until the last minute so he can work under pressure. His routine might not work for other writers. But it’s the perfect routine for him.
I’ve noticed that there’s a similar theme of routines in interviews with successful comedians, athletes, musicians, business titans, and professional athletes—if the work is difficult and it requires preparation to perform at a high level, chances are that routines are behind those who’ve made it successfully.
The best students don’t just study hard. Yes, there’s an impressive work ethic behind their success, but they’ve also paid attention to what works for them and what doesn’t. They’ve refined how they approach their work until what’s left is a system that works for them. That routine becomes part of their preparation. And it feeds their confidence that if it worked before, it will probably work again.