25 Habits of Mind
Learning Objectives
In this section, you will
- Learn how we build habits
- Explore your own habits
- Learn about 16 Habits of Mind
- Reflect on strategies to cultivate habits
Habit Formation
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
This quote, commonly attributed to Aristotle, expresses how our everyday actions shape our identity. If we change our habits, we can change who we are. We all have good and bad habits, and sometimes replacing bad habits with better, healthier ones can be a challenge. This chapter will help you explore your own habits and build habits that help you become a successful college student.
A habit is commonly defined as settled practice, a disposition that has been formed through repetition of the same act (Oxford University Press). But how exactly do we form habits? To learn more about the psychology of habit formation, view James Clear’s talk and respond to the questions below.
Video Questions
- Clear says that we can be the architects of our environment. What does this mean? Give a specific example that illustrates how this can help us with habit formation.
- Clear recommends that we should optimize for the starting line, not for the finish line. Explain.
- The problem with a lot of habits is that we don’t get immediate rewards. What strategy does Clear recommend to help with this?
- How does Clear’s talk relate to the Aristotle quote “We are what we repeatedly do”? How does he expand on this idea?
- How might Clear’s ideas help you develop successful habits in college?
As a next step, consider what a typical day looks like for you. Can you detect certain established routines or habits (consider morning or bedtime routines, for instance)? Now take a moment to evaluate your habits: What positive and negative habits do you have in general? How do your everyday routines impact your performance at college? Are there any habits or routines you would like to change? Next, consider a typical day in college: What are your positive and negative habits in a college environment? What habits do you consider to be most important to cultivate for a successful college career?
16 Habits of Mind by Arthur L. Costa and Bena Kallick
To help you deepen your understanding of good habits in college, consider the 16 Habits of Mind listed below.
Text version: Habits of Mind
- Persisting — Stick to it
- Managing Impulsivity — Take your time
- Listening with Empathy — Understand others
- Metacognition — Know your knowing
- Questioning and Problem Posing — How do you know
- Gathering Data with All Senses — Use your pathways
- Applying Past Knowledge — Use what you learn
- Creating and Innovating — Try a different way
- Thinking Flexibly — Consider another point of view
- Thinking and Communicating with Clarity — Be clear
- Striving for Accuracy — Check it again
- Responding with Wonderment and Awe — Have fun figuring it out
- Taking Responsible Risks — Venture out
- Finding Humor — Laugh a little
- Thinking Interdependently — Work together
- Remaining Open to Continuous Learning — I have so much more to learn
After reviewing these habits, answer the following questions:
- Of the sixteen Habits of Mind (HOM), which do you use most often as a college student? Give an example of how you have used it, and why.
- Select a Habit of Mind that you don’t currently use, that could be helpful to you in college. Why do you think it could be useful? How do you think it could be of value to you in your selected major? How might it help you in your future career?
- What steps will you take to incorporate this HOM into your approach to learning while at LaGuardia? Provide a concrete example of what this will look like.
Finally, let’s think a bit more about how we can successfully change our habits. In 1890, the psychologist William James wrote an essay called “Habit,” in which he gives some good advice for establishing habits. He advises his reader to “put yourself assiduously in conditions that encourage the new way,” to “take a public pledge,” “never suffer an exception to occur till the new habit is securely rooted in your life,” and “seize the first opportunity to act on every resolution you make.” (James 1914). In your own words, what are the best strategies to establish a new habit? How might you ensure that the Habit of Mind you seek to develop will stick? In other words, what can you (or others) do to persist in cultivating this habit?
References, Licences, and Attributions
Clear, J. (2018, Aug. 7). Atomic habits: how to get 1% better every day [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_nzqnXWvSo
James, W. (1914). Habit. Holt and Company. Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/habitjam00jameuoft/page/n5/mode/2up/. (copyright 1890)
Oxford University Press. (n.d.). Habit, n., III.9.a. In Oxford English dictionary. Retrieved February 9, 2026, from https://doi.org/10.1093/OED/3105659060.
