Habits are unconscious patterns of behavior. Habits that are negative often have a rewards that offers instant gratification, thus enforcing said habit. Positive habits typically have rewards that are less obvious or take longer which is why positive habits are easier to abandon. Habits are learned and unlearned subconsciously, however conditioning can also be used to halt unwanted habits.

Conditioning is an adaptive learning process, it is a way that we can train our brain to crave certain behaviors. Conditioning can be used to stop unwanted habit but, at the same time can be used to form positive habits. For example, someone who isn't a morning person but loves to run can use the habit of running and condition themselves to go on morning runs. As time passes a morning run will become habit through conditioning.

It is easy to dismiss a student who doesn't pay attention or always forgets his homework as simply being irresponsible or a “bad student”. However, students often form habits at an early age that can lead to this type of behavior. As educators it is important to attempt to condition students into positive habits. For example, in order to combat forgetfulness the instructor can make writing down the homework part of the “warm-up” or morning procedure. The teacher could also post said homework on the class website to ensure that all students have access to the homework assignment. A student who seems to not pay attention simply might not have good note taking abilities, formats such as Cornell notes or offering guiding questions to help students take better notes and become more engaged in the content.