By guest contributor Cooper Plotts ’26
This article is part of Northwood School’s Peak Pathways Program—a year-long, student-driven independent study that empowers students to explore topics they are passionate about in depth. Through research, creativity, and real-world application, students take ownership of their learning and produce meaningful work that extends beyond the classroom.
Many Peak Pathways projects culminate during Publication Week, when students share their work with authentic audiences. By publishing in The Mirror, these students contribute to a broader conversation, offering original perspectives, insights, and creative expression to the Northwood community and beyond.
Over this past school year, my goal for Peak Pathways was to improve myself by learning about habits and applying them to my daily routine. I knew that I wanted to use the time in this class to better myself and felt like learning about habits would be a good step in the right direction. During this project, I read Atomic Habits by James Clear, started journaling, and began implementing new habits.
A key point I took from Atomic Habits was focusing on systems rather than goals. For example, rather than saying “I want better grades”, I focused on building study habits like studying for 20 minutes a day leading up to an exam and organizing my assignments ahead of time to keep myself on pace. These small actions didn’t feel overwhelming, which made them easier to stick with. Over time, they became automatic, and the results showed.
Another impactful thing I learned from Atomic Habits was how it made behavior change feel simple and achievable. It explains how habits are driven by cues, cravings, responses, and rewards, helping me understand my actions more clearly. Instead of relying on motivation, it showed me how to shape my environment to make good habits easier to form. Even small changes, like keeping my phone on my desk at night, made a difference. It also emphasized focusing on identity, or becoming the kind of person with good habits, which gave my project a deeper purpose.
One of the first habits I adopted was journaling. At the beginning, it felt awkward. It felt like I was forcing myself to write when I had little to say. But over time, journaling became a space for reflection rather than an obligation. I used it to track my progress, clarify my thoughts, and hold myself accountable. Writing regularly helped me notice patterns in my behavior, both positive and negative, which made it easier to adjust and improve.
Another important concept was habit stacking; attaching a new habit to something I already do. For example, I started journaling right after brushing my teeth at night. Linking the two made it easier to remember and more likely that I would follow through. After this, I started to plug my phone in and leave it at my desk for the night, rather than keeping it right next to my bed. Over time, these small routines built on each other, creating a structure that made my days feel more productive and balanced.
Of course, the process wasn’t perfect. There were times when I fell off track or lost motivation. But instead of giving up, I learned to focus on consistency rather than perfection. Missing one day didn’t mean failure; it just meant I was starting the next day again.
Looking back, this project taught me that change doesn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of small choices repeated over time. By committing to simple habits like journaling and being more mindful of my routines, I built a stronger sense of discipline and self-awareness. What began as a school project became a lasting part of my life.
