Looks like it’s that time of year again…back to school. Time to make new friends, learn new things, and explore your passions. Back to school is a daunting time for many and you may be wondering just how you’re going to stay on top of it all this year.
Here are some tips and tricks to help you have your best year of school yet.
1. Set a routine and stick to it. Have a good morning and night routine, making sure to schedule enough time for sleeping and getting ready. Also remember to set aside a couple of hours a day (depending on your courses and grade) for studying. Having a set routine each day makes it easier to stay on track.
2. Find methods of studying that work for you. This is different for everyone and often depends on your learning style. Studies have found that active recalling is a revision method with very promising results. Blurting and making flash cards are also very popular and helpful techniques. Finding out the study methods that work the best for you can make the difference between a B and an A. Stay tuned for an article about good studying techniques coming out soon!
3. Make S.M.A.R.T goals. Are you tired of having super vague goals that you never end up accomplishing anyway? S.M.A.R.T goals are an effective way of creating goals that you will actually be able to achieve! S.M.A.R.T goals are goals that are written with specifics in mind, are measurable, attainable, relevant to your bigger goals, and have a specific time
frame. Check out this step by step guide on creating S.M.A.R.T goals.
4. Use class time wisely. Class time is precious, so use it well. The first step to this is actually attending class! Don’t understand a concept or have a question? Ask the teacher as soon as possible. Make sure to take notes during class and jot down any questions or specific ideas you want to remember. Even better, get a head start on your homework while still in class! This will leave you with a little more time for yourself at the end of the day and is a good way to be time efficient.
5. Make time for yourself. Yes, school is important. But so are you! You can only do your best in school if you are also taking time for yourself. So, find things that make you happy and relaxed. Join a club or sports team. Hang out with your friends. Volunteer for a cause you care about. Watch a movie. Spend time on your hobbies. When you make time for yourself, you’ll be more motivated to study during the time you have allocated for that (which you did while making your daily routine of course!).
6. Make time for self care. Going off of the past point, practicing self care can mean a world of difference when it comes to your mood and long term productivity. Eating right, exercising, and practicing skin care are just a few steps you can take to keep yourself calm and your mind clear. For some self care ideas, check out our past article with 31 self care ideas!
7. Make friends in each of your classes. Even if you’re an introvert or prefer to keep to yourself, try to make a friend in each of your classes. This is helpful for so many things. From having someone to chat to during down time, a class friend can help with work you don’t understand or give you notes when you’re absent. You can even find a group of friends taking the same class as you and create a study group together! Another tip I have is to become friends with your teacher too. It might seem weird at first but even a simple hello each morning can help your teacher see you in a brighter light. This helps a lot when you need extensions or clarifications in class.
8. Break down big tasks. Do you have 5 pages of math homework that dues in a week? While that may seem daunting, breaking down your larger assignments into smaller, more manageable chunks can make things so much easier to handle. With smaller chunks of work, the knowledge that we can complete them quickly helps motivate us to start, which can sometimes be the hardest part. Breaking down your big tasks is an easy way to split the work between many days while making time for all your other commitments.This is another big part of being time efficient.
9. Know when to get help. School can be a stressful time, and it’s okay if you need some extra support. Reaching out for help can be scary but it is so so important. The people around you can’t help you unless they know that you need it. If you ever find yourself struggling with school work, with your mental health, with friends, or something else, reach out to a trusted adult. Don’t be afraid to talk to someone even if you think your struggles aren’t that severe. School is a big part of your life but taking care of yourself is so much more important than grades will ever be.
10. Find true friends. True friends are those friends that you can truly be yourself around. You don’t have to hide. You know they will accept you for who you are. You know you can count on them to be there for you and lift you up when you need it. Oftentimes, the best way to make these friends is to be one yourself. Stick with people who give you the same energy you
give them. School is so much more fun when you’re
sharing it with people you care about.
11. Be yourself and believe in yourself. It may sound cliche but being yourself is such an important part of having a good time. Can you really have fun when you’re pretending to be someone else? Even though it may be tempting to follow the crowd, you really are so much better when you’re doing things that make you happy. Something that may seem cool or normal now isn’t worth changing yourself for. Also, another big tip is to realize that you are capable of so much more than you think you are. Thinking you’re not good enough will hold you back. So as Norman Vincent Peale once said, “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars”.
12. Try something new. Whether it’s a new club or applying for a job, trying out something new is a good way to spice up your year. Although daunting, trying something new often leads to cool experiences and new friends. You could even discover a new passion or receive a really amazing opportunity. If you’re looking for a challenge, try taking a course that intrigues you or applying for a leadership role within your school. With new things, there is always something to discover!
There you have it! Twelve tips, tricks, and ideas to help you have your best year of school yet. So, what are you waiting for? Go out there and enjoy your year!
Written by: Nevadha M
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