Not enjoying, partying, gaming, dating, etc.

Don’t stop having fun. If you stop having fun altogether, you will probably face mental health issues associated with monotony, depressed moods, social withdrawal, etc. Being a student has its fun side, and it shouldn’t be taken away. Thoughts like “If I stop all fun, I’ll get good grades” are common in students but they are an example of a damaging thought pattern called Heaven’s reward fallacy.

• Research shows^[12] that participating in intra-college activities, having fun on campus, and engaging in recreation helped freshman students increase their grade-point average (GPA scores).
• Participating in extra-curricular activities like sports, clubs, social interest groups, counseling, guidance, etc. can make school-time more enjoyable. When a students’ needs are satisfied^[13] in a supportive school, they like their school better and that may motivate them to achieve more. Organized activities can even improve grades for the less-advantaged students^[14].
• Moderate amounts of gaming and computer use is linked with academic growth^[15] and development in 10th-grade students.
• Social networking is not clearly linked to improved and worsened academic performance. A review of 23 papers^[16] suggests that the results are highly mixed. Social media affects mental health and personal growth in both good and bad ways. Giving up social media or increasing the time spent on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram might not affect your grades or learning potential. If it is moderate, don’t worry about it.
• A meta-analysis of 29 studies^[17] with a total sample of 19,000+ students across different grades found that boredom predicts negative academic outcomes. Boredom in class is worse than boredom outside of class. Boredom also negatively affects motivation and optimal study behaviors. It is in everyone’s best interest to not experience chronic boredom. Find a way to make things interesting & meaningful.
• Even primary school students can benefit from enjoyment. Boredom, emotions, and achievement are tied together^[18] and have a reciprocal relationship – Higher achievement may foster more enjoyment and less boredom and more enjoyment but less boredom could push for higher achievement.

Study tip: Have fun and don’t be bored.