My big topic question: How can we improve our study habits?
I was inspired to research this question from watching many study vlogs since I was young. For example, I love learning new ways to study effectively from TED Talk, Harvard student Helaine Zhao, and Forbes-recognized entrepreneur Elise Pham. Furthermore, my grandparents told me that studying more instead of sleeping is productive. For example, they were taught that sleeping more than 4 hours a day instead of studying meant that they would not get accepted into their dream university. However, Mr Chang taught me that sleeping at least eight hours a day can make us study more effectively. I hope to learn more about how sleep contributes to our healthy study habits. In addition, I would like to research whether naps are as helpful as sleeping when studying. I also study more efficiently in the library, so I would like to find out how comparing ourselves with others affects our study lifestyle.
My subtopic question: How does comparing ourselves with others positively or negatively affect our productivity?
I always used comparison as healthy motivation for studying. For example, I love studying in the library because it motivates me to study harder. However, I also know that people believe comparison should be avoided due to excessive stress. I want to research how to only get the positive benefits of comparing ourselves with high-achieving students. This question will help me to answer my topic question because I want to make sure that we can use comparison as a motivation to get better marks on exams.
Comparing ourselves with others can helps us achieve our goals (1). It can help us determine what we need to improve on or if we are on track to achieve a specific grade (1). For example, I love asking how others study who score higher than I do, so I can improve my study habits for next time (1). However, to make sure that we only get the positive effects of comparing ourselves, we need to set a realistic benchmark to make sure we do not get too discouraged (2).
In Festinger’s Social Comparison Theory, it states how we assess our potential by comparing ourselves to others (2). Once we reach our goals by comparing others, this may help us to feel confident (3). We most likely compare ourselves with people who achieve higher grades (3). Psychologically, we always want to follow our role models (4). For example, I love watching how to study videos from Havard Students like Helaine Zhao and Helen Piltner to improve my productivity (4). As we surround ourselves with motivated people, we will discover our faults to achieve greater success (4).
By looking at how others solve the same problem as us in school, we can enhance our procedural flexibility (5). This will help us to find the best study method (5). For example, I thought staying up to do my homework was beneficial (6). However, after researching/comparing myself with other university students I realized how our brains are sharpest in the morning (6).
Social media is not a great platform for comparison because we do not always have real life relationships with them (6). The highlight reels do not show us what happens behind the scenes and may create a false unachievable standard to accomplish (6).
I also need to make sure that I am not participating in downward social comparison (7). For example, saying or thinking I am better because I did not fail my English test is how we participate in downward comparison (7). This negatively affects our mental health and our ability to perform because we create overconfidence (7). Additionally, this creates an inflated ego and reduces our ability to be empathetic towards everyone else’s learning styles (7). This temporary state of improved self-esteem encourages us to feel anxious and depressed (7).
1)Improving Productivity | Student Learning Programs. https://studentlearning.stanford.edu/improving-productivity. Accessed 30 May 2025.
2)Social Comparison Theory | Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/social-comparison-theory. Accessed 30 May 2025.
3)Britannica Money. 7 May 2025, https://www.britannica.com/money/productivity.
4)“Productivity Is About Your Systems, Not Your People.” Harvard Business Review, 5 Jan. 2021. hbr.org, https://hbr.org/2021/01/productivity-is-about-your-systems-not-your-people.
5)Way, Samuel F., et al. “Productivity, Prominence, and the Effects of Academic Environment.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, vol. 116, no. 22, May 2019, pp. 10729–33. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1817431116.
6)“AI Productivity Hacks to Reimagine Your Workday and Career.” Career Development Yale School of Management, 24 Oct. 2023, https://cdo.som.yale.edu/classes/ai-productivity-hacks-to-reimagine-your-workday-and-career/.
7)Panel®, Expert. “15 Productivity Hacks To Make The Most Of Your ‘Real Work’ Time.” Forbes, https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinesscouncil/2022/09/14/15-productivity-hacks-to-make-the-most-of-your-real-work-time/. Accessed 30 May 2025.
Thank you,
Sarah Kim
Hi Sarah,
I really enjoyed reading your blog post! You’ve done a great job blending personal experience with research, which makes your writing feel relatable and informative. I really liked how you referenced credible sources like Festinger’s Social Comparison Theory. Your research on the role of sleep and how our study environments can motivate us are insightful and relevant to many people within out age group.
One thing I think you could improve is the structure of your post. Some parts repeat similar ideas (like how comparison can be both positive and negative), and organizing those into clear sections or paragraphs might help make your argument even stronger.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading your post as it was relatable and informative. I look forward to your Celebration of Learning!
Perla
Hi Sarah , your blog is encouraging and educating how sleep contributes to our healthy study habits. Your research will help many on good study habits so as to produce effectives results .
Hello Sarah,
I really enjoyed reading your blog post! The Inquiry question was very interesting, making it entertaining to read. I liked the introduction of your blog post as you thoroughly explained the reason as to why you chose the Inquiry question. Breaking up the paragraphs into short sections makes it easier to follow, which I found helpful within this post. Another component I liked, was that the question asked how comparison can positively or negatively affect productivity. When most people view comparison, they automatically think in a negative perspective, so I was thrilled to see the comparison go both ways. One piece of advice I think would be perfect for your celebration of learning is elaborating on your own personal experience regarding comparison affecting productivity. Sharing your own experience makes it more amusing for an audience, so incorporating that piece into your presentation would make it exemplary!
I love the work you have put into this project, and I wish you the best on your overall celebration of learning!
–Vanessa Vukovic