School is in Session!
It's that time of year again, school is in session! Let's talk about what you can do this year to get organized and make it your best year yet!
Step 1 - Create a Study Plan
Creating a study plan is essentially an exercise in organization and time management. To create one, begin by writing down your assignments as they are given to you throughout the day. I recommend you use your daily planner. If your school didn't provide one to you they are freely available on the internet or you can check with your local library.
Step 2 - Create a Homework Priority System
It is vital to your academic success that you make a plan each day to tackle your home work after school. Remember, home work should also include time to study for upcoming exams and time to work on projects that have due dates well in the future. Typically, it is best to spend a few minutes a couple of times a day scheduling your work load after school. I recommend taking a break around lunch and another break right after school to do your scheduling.
Step 3 - Color Code Your Priority System
A great way to use your homework priority system is to color code your responsibilities. Use one color for your fixed responsibilities, i.e. school, sports, church, etc. Use a different color for homework time in each of your primary classes, i.e. math, science, english/lit and foreign language. Then use a separate color for your activities, i.e. sports, clubs, activities and another color for leisure time. Post this somewhere you and your parents are likely to see it so that you have a good reminder system. Get a copy of your Weekly Priority Planner HERE. See a completed example below.
Step 4 - Sit up Front
I recommend sitting up front in your classes if given the option. Yes, you're less likely to be able to sleep or goof off in the front of the class, but then again, you're less likely to fall asleep or goof off if you're up there. There is more than enough time for that outside of class, so do yourself a favor and get rid of the temptation. If your still having trouble, consider finding a tutor.
Step 5 - Get Involved
Getting involved is important for many reasons. You will build more friendships, create a more well rounded college application and give back to your community, just to name a few. All of which are important for academic success. I encourage you to look around and sign up to an activity that interests you. There are literally millions of opportunities to get involved out there so don't give up to easily if you don't see something you like right away. I recommend starting at volunteermatch.org, it's a great search engine with tons of ways to get involved in your local community.
Step 2 - Create a Homework Priority System
It is vital to your academic success that you make a plan each day to tackle your home work after school. Remember, home work should also include time to study for upcoming exams and time to work on projects that have due dates well in the future. Typically, it is best to spend a few minutes a couple of times a day scheduling your work load after school. I recommend taking a break around lunch and another break right after school to do your scheduling.
Step 3 - Color Code Your Priority System
A great way to use your homework priority system is to color code your responsibilities. Use one color for your fixed responsibilities, i.e. school, sports, church, etc. Use a different color for homework time in each of your primary classes, i.e. math, science, english/lit and foreign language. Then use a separate color for your activities, i.e. sports, clubs, activities and another color for leisure time. Post this somewhere you and your parents are likely to see it so that you have a good reminder system. Get a copy of your Weekly Priority Planner HERE. See a completed example below.
Step 4 - Sit up Front
I recommend sitting up front in your classes if given the option. Yes, you're less likely to be able to sleep or goof off in the front of the class, but then again, you're less likely to fall asleep or goof off if you're up there. There is more than enough time for that outside of class, so do yourself a favor and get rid of the temptation. If your still having trouble, consider finding a tutor.
Step 5 - Get Involved
Getting involved is important for many reasons. You will build more friendships, create a more well rounded college application and give back to your community, just to name a few. All of which are important for academic success. I encourage you to look around and sign up to an activity that interests you. There are literally millions of opportunities to get involved out there so don't give up to easily if you don't see something you like right away. I recommend starting at volunteermatch.org, it's a great search engine with tons of ways to get involved in your local community.
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