A Small Habit or Routine that has Made a Big Difference in my Academic Success by Olivia

A Small Habit or Routine that has Made a Big Difference in my Academic Success by Olivia - February 2026 Scholarship Essay

It is very easy to get lazy, especially in high school. There are times where it seems easier to stop trying and take the easy way out. While I have definitely experienced those feelings, I have been sure to never give in and always keep pushing to do my best. One of the reasons that is possible is by creating a routine to make sure that I am achieving my Academic goals. I am a person who thrives on routine. I struggle on long breaks because I usually don't follow my routine and then I notice a difference in my attitude.
My routine before school has truly helped me with high school, as silly as that sounds. I wake up, make my bed immediately after, get ready for the day, eat breakfast and pack my lunch, and leave for school. While this routine seems pretty standard, it has made a huge difference in my willingness to come to school. It has almost trained my body to know that I have to come to school Monday-Friday. By having this routine, I am able to give my full effort and attention to school because I have almost programmed myself to know that is the way to continue to succeed in school.
I find it very rewarding to get my day started so that I can personally watch myself thrive. Without having a routine for myself, I would find it hard to study, hard to come to school, and I would not have the grades that I do. I find that I am less stressed when I know exactly what I have to do and how I can get things done. Starting the day each morning I find myself more at ease, which is crucial for learning.