Narrative:

I began my solo flight to practice pattern work; take-offs; and landings at ZZZ. After two rounds in the pattern (initial take-off; left traffic; a go-around; left traffic; full stop and taxi back to runway xx) I contacted ZZZ tower at runway xx hold short line notifying them I was holding short runway xx and ready for take-off. ZZZ tower cleared me for take-off and right traffic. I confirmed to tower 'clear to take-off runway xx; right traffic.' I proceeded to take off and at approximately 600' AGL I turned left crosswind. ZZZ tower notified me that I was supposed to turn right traffic. Then notified me of traffic at my 10 o'clock and to head east. I replied looking for traffic. ZZZ tower stated the traffic should be straight in front of me. At this point I found the traffic at approximately my 1 o'clock and 45 degrees up. I pushed the yoke forward and continued turning right. The traffic passed over me and I lost sight of the traffic. ZZZ tower then ask what was my intentions. I responded by asking him to provided me direction of what I needed to do. He directed me to enter the left downwind runway xx for a full stop and then cleared me to land; full stop runway xx. I proceeded to land and taxi to park. This incident was due to me receiving right traffic direction prior to take off and confirming back to the tower this direction and then making a left crosswind turn. This was not a decision based on confusion or distraction. I understood the direction of the tower. I believe this was due to the time lapse between receiving the direction from the tower and when the action took place and the previous pattern work performed was left traffic. After taking-off and climbing; I turned left traffic with confidence. Once the tower notified me; I immediately realized my mistake. To prevent this from happening in the future; I personally need to recognize the power of repetitive training forming habits and be alert to procedures that deviate from those patterns. In this case; all my previous pattern work had been done with left traffic. Even though I fully understood the direction of the tower; by the time I took off and climbed to an altitude to initiate my crosswind turn; I followed my previous pattern work.

Related reports:

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Student Pilot reported incorrect turn to crosswind resulting in a NMAC.

Narrative: I began my solo flight to practice pattern work; take-offs; and landings at ZZZ. After two rounds in the pattern (initial take-off; left traffic; a go-around; left traffic; full stop and taxi back to Runway XX) I contacted ZZZ Tower at Runway XX hold short line notifying them I was holding short Runway XX and ready for take-off. ZZZ Tower cleared me for take-off and right traffic. I confirmed to Tower 'Clear to take-off Runway XX; right traffic.' I proceeded to take off and at approximately 600' AGL I turned left crosswind. ZZZ Tower notified me that I was supposed to turn right traffic. Then notified me of traffic at my 10 o'clock and to head east. I replied looking for traffic. ZZZ Tower stated the traffic should be straight in front of me. At this point I found the traffic at approximately my 1 o'clock and 45 degrees up. I pushed the yoke forward and continued turning right. The traffic passed over me and I lost sight of the traffic. ZZZ Tower then ask what was my intentions. I responded by asking him to provided me direction of what I needed to do. He directed me to enter the left downwind Runway XX for a full stop and then cleared me to land; full stop Runway XX. I proceeded to land and taxi to park. This incident was due to me receiving right traffic direction prior to take off and confirming back to the Tower this direction and then making a left crosswind turn. This was not a decision based on confusion or distraction. I understood the direction of the Tower. I believe this was due to the time lapse between receiving the direction from the Tower and when the action took place and the previous pattern work performed was left traffic. After taking-off and climbing; I turned left traffic with confidence. Once the Tower notified me; I immediately realized my mistake. To prevent this from happening in the future; I personally need to recognize the power of repetitive training forming habits and be alert to procedures that deviate from those patterns. In this case; all my previous pattern work had been done with left traffic. Even though I fully understood the direction of the Tower; by the time I took off and climbed to an altitude to initiate my crosswind turn; I followed my previous pattern work.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.