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How Do Following Instructions Help You As a Student?

Published in Student Success 3 mins read

Following instructions significantly benefits students by influencing grades, learning subject matter, and correctly executing skills in an academic setting.

As a student, mastering the ability to follow instructions is fundamental to success. It's a crucial skill practiced in everyday life and directly translates into tangible academic advantages. Based on the provided reference, within an academic setting, following instructions can influence grades, learning subject matter, and correctly executing skills.

Let's delve deeper into how these benefits manifest in a student's journey.

Key Benefits of Following Academic Instructions

Effectively adhering to instructions impacts several core areas of your academic life.

Influencing Grades

Your grades are often a direct reflection of how well you meet the requirements set out in assignments, exams, and projects. Missing a deadline, failing to follow formatting guidelines, or not answering a question fully as instructed can all result in lost points. Conversely, carefully reading and following all instructions ensures you submit work that meets expectations, thereby positively influencing grades.

  • Practical Examples:
    • Submitting an essay by the correct deadline and word count.
    • Including all required components in a science lab report.
    • Answering all parts of an exam question as directed (e.g., "Discuss and provide examples").

Learning Subject Matter

Instructions are not just about completing tasks; they often guide you through the learning process itself. They tell you what to read, what problems to solve, and how to approach complex concepts. By following these steps, you engage with the material in the intended way, leading to a deeper understanding and better retention of the learning subject matter.

  • Practical Examples:
    • Completing assigned readings before a lecture to better grasp the topic.
    • Working through math problems step-by-step as shown in an example.
    • Following the stages of a research project to understand the methodology.

Correctly Executing Skills

Many academic subjects require you to learn and apply specific skills, whether it's writing, problem-solving, conducting experiments, or analyzing data. Instructions provide the necessary steps and procedures to perform these tasks accurately. Following them ensures you are correctly executing skills as taught, which is essential for practical application and demonstrating competency.

  • Practical Examples:
    • Performing a chemistry experiment using the precise measurements and safety procedures outlined.
    • Writing a programming code following the specific syntax rules.
    • Giving a presentation structured according to the professor's requirements.

Summary of Benefits

Benefit Impact on Student
Influence Grades Higher scores, successful assignment completion
Learning Subject Matter Deeper understanding, better retention of concepts
Correctly Executing Skills Accurate application of learned techniques

Developing strong instruction-following habits is a foundational step toward achieving academic excellence and prepares you for tasks requiring precision and attention to detail in future careers.

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