This surprising practice will improve your grades.
If you ask a group of students what’s the best way to improve your grades in school, most say study harder, get help from your teacher or a tutor, or find new ways to learn the material.
But there’s another way students can improve their academic performance, and the answer might surprise you.
I’m talking about mindfulness. Mindfulness is a simple yet powerful practice that boosts academic performance and can help manage stress. It’s what I like to call “The Zen Edge.” The calm, cool, and collected edge that keeps the best and brightest students operating at their highest levels.
Mindfulness involves paying full attention to the present moment. It’s about being aware of your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings, and top-performing students know this is what gives them that added edge they need to excel. Practicing mindfulness has been shown to improve academic success in multiple ways.
Here are a few ways “The Zen Edge” has helped students:
Improved focus and concentration. One of the most exciting benefits of mindfulness is the enhanced levels of focus and concentration. Mindfulness exercises, such as meditation and deep-breathing techniques, train the brain to stay on task. Students report fewer distractions while studying and a better ability to absorb and retain information. For example, a study published in the journal Psychological Science found that students who practiced mindfulness performed better on tests requiring attention and memory (Zeidan et al., 2010).
Reduced stress and anxiety. Students often tell me they feel high levels of stress and anxiety, especially around exam time. High levels of stress can negatively impact a person’s ability to concentrate and perform well academically. Mindfulness has helped to reduce academic-related stress by promoting relaxation and helping students stay calm. When students practice mindfulness, even for a few moments, they learn to manage their reactions to stressful situations better, which leads to a more balanced and less anxious state of mind. Research from the University of Cambridge found that mindfulness training significantly reduced anxiety, which in turn improved exam performance among students (Galante et al., 2018).
Enhanced emotional regulation. Mindfulness, or as I call it, “The Zen Edge,” also improves emotion regulation, which is crucial for academic success. Students who have learned to manage their emotions effectively have been less overwhelmed by frustration or disappointment. The emotional stability allows them to approach challenges with a clear mind and a positive attitude. A study in the journal, Mindfulness, revealed that students who practiced mindfulness experienced fewer negative emotions and had a more optimistic outlook, contributing to better academic outcomes (Bajaj et al., 2016).
Better time management. Practicing mindfulness has also helped students become increasingly aware of how they spend their time, which has led to better time management skills (more on that in my 6 Executive function skills to master post). Students who get a handle on their time prioritize tasks more effectively and avoid procrastination. This means that they are more likely to complete assignments on time, meet deadlines and prepare well for exams. Mindfulness encourages a proactive rather than a reactive approach to studying, which in turn makes students more organized and efficient.
Improved memory and cognitive flexibility. Applying “The Zen Edge” through mindful practices has enhanced focus for many students and enhanced their memory and cognitive flexibility skills. As I’ve talked about before, cognitive flexibility is the ability to adapt to new information and think creatively, and those skills are vital for problem-solving and critical thinking. A study in the journal Consciousness and Cognition found that mindfulness training improved working memory and cognitive flexibility in students (Mrazek et al., 2013).
Incorporating mindfulness into a daily routine doesn’t have to be complicated. Students who started with just a few minutes of deep breathing or meditation each day have shown great progress. As your student becomes more comfortable with the practice, they too will likely see improvements in their focus, stress levels, and academic performance. That’s the power of the “The Zen Edge.”
