Your Morning Routine Could Influence Your Academic Success, New Study Finds
Your Morning Routine Could Influence Your Academic Success, New Study Finds
Your Morning Routine Could Influence Your Academic Success, New Study Finds
Shohreh Parham Explores How Everyday Habits Affect Academic Performance
How do everyday behaviours such as diet, sleep, physical activity and stress management influence academic performance in a university environment? This question was addressed by Shohreh Parham, Associate Professor of Applied Sciences at Wittenborg, in her recent study published in Nutrition & Food Science. The research explores how routine behaviours relate to Grade Point Average (GPA) and provides practical insights for both students and university staff.
What habits really matter?
Parham surveyed 260 students at a diverse international university, focusing on how daily routines like breakfast habits, fast-food consumption, sleep schedules, classroom alertness, and stress levels relate to academic outcomes. She found that students who ate breakfast regularly and earlier in the morning, limited fast-food intake, and reported higher classroom alertness achieved higher Grade Point Averages. Lower perceived stress also correlated with better performance.
Interestingly, not all common habits showed an impact. Sugary drinks and general physical activity were not significant predictors of GPA, highlighting that structured routines and alertness may matter more than occasional lifestyle choices.
How the research was done
The study used a cross-sectional survey design, collecting data at a single point in time. Students completed an online questionnaire that asked about their daily diet, sleep, physical activity, classroom alertness, stress levels, and self-reported GPA.
The data were then analysed using statistical methods to explore how these factors relate to academic performance. Multiple regression models helped identify which habits were most strongly associated with higher GPA, while controlling for other behaviours and demographic factors.
This approach allowed Parham to capture a snapshot of real-life routines and their associations with academic outcomes, providing practical insights that can be applied in everyday student life and university support programmes.
Why this matters for students and staff
Parham explains, “Academic performance cannot be fully understood without considering students’ everyday lifestyle and well-being practices.” She adds, “Universities have a responsibility to support healthy study environments that enable students to perform while maintaining their well-being.”
For students, this research shows that small, manageable habits — like eating breakfast regularly, keeping a structured sleep schedule, and managing stress — can make a measurable difference in focus and academic performance.
For university staff, programme managers, and student advisors, the findings provide evidence to guide the design of support services, well-being initiatives, and learning environments. On international campuses, where students face pressures from adjusting to new environments and juggling responsibilities, understanding the role of daily habits can help universities offer more effective support.
Parham emphasises, “This research supports a holistic approach to student success, linking learning outcomes to health and everyday practices.” She notes that understanding these links can help universities make evidence-based decisions that benefit both students and the wider academic community.
WUP 12/06/2026
by Erene Roux
©WUAS Press
Tags
#Internationalisation
#internationalstudent
#SDG3: Good Health and Well-being
#research
#Impact Statement
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