The start of a new school year is both exciting and anxiety-inducing. If you’re feeling the same nerves, I’ve got a few tips that will help you crush this upcoming school year. Stay on top of your game with some strategies that always help me balance what’s going on at school with everything else in my life.
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People who are better at time management have better academic performance results than those who don’t. I don’t even need a professional research study to prove that. I experienced it myself.
When I was a junior in high school, I started using a paper planner for the first time ever. I logged deadlines in the monthly calendar layouts and kept track of daily responsibilities on the day-to-day sheets between each month. It felt time-consuming at first, but it’s how I juggled my advanced placement (AP) English assignments.
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Digital planner apps work just as well. They’re perfect for anyone who’s more digitally minded. They also create virtual calendars so you can share events with your parents.
It might be the better option if you’re involved in multiple after-school activities. You can share your schedule with them so they know where you’ll be and when.
2. Schedule Your Friend Time
When I was a freshman, I used all my free time to hang out with friends. High school seemed like it would take all the time in the world. I rarely remembered to study because I was always planning something fun.
Without enough time to study, though, my grades started to suffer. I learned that your schedule has to balance friend time with academic time. Now that I’m a college freshman, I use that skill more than ever.
Setting limits around how much time you’ll socialize, study and achieve your after-school goals is a skill we’ll all need in college and the workforce. It’s better to learn it now and be the best version of yourself when you get there.
3. Learn How You Study Best
Some people absorb all the information they need in the classroom to pass tests. Other people spend hours reciting words from their textbooks late at night. What do they have in common? They had to try at least more than one study strategy to find what worked best for them.
If you remember things you read better than things you heard, you might be a visual learner. See if you absorb information more effectively by color coding concepts or making flashcards. I found that when I took tests after trying those methods, I could remember the image of the information I needed to answer questions correctly.
Auditory learners succeed if they pay attention in class and even listen to recorded lessons once they get home. Try multiple study methods to figure out how your brain works best. You’ll see your grades getting better when you match your mind with the right strategy.
4. Drink Plenty of Water
Before water bottles became trendy, I rarely had water readily accessible. I had no idea how important drinking water is and how dehydration affects the brain.
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Sitting in class isn’t as physically demanding as physical education, sports practice or outdoor activities, but you can still get dehydrated if you don’t drink water throughout the day.
Now I carry a water bottle in my backpack, so I remember to take a couple of sips between classes. Feeling your best makes everything easier, especially a brain-heavy activity like learning in multiple classes each day.
5. Adopt Healthy Sleep Habits
It’s tempting to stay up late watching my favorite shows, but I’m strict about going to sleep at 10 p.m. each night. Getting eight hours of sleep means my brain gets a chance to reset. I crush study sessions like a pro when I’m energized before ever sipping my first caffeinated drink of the day.
Time isn’t the only factor affecting sleep schedules. You should also consider changing how you sleep. Resting on your stomach strains the spine, which might passively make you more awake. I paid attention to how I felt most comfortable in bed to learn which sleeping positions and pajamas helped me drift off into my dreams.
Image Credit: Pavel Danilyuk from Pexels
6. Access Resources When You Need Support
When I find myself struggling with something or feeling overly stressed, I try to remember that there are people waiting to help me. All we have to do is ask.
Contact your guidance counselors for advice or schedule tutoring in a subject when you’re consistently struggling. When my first year in college started, I made friends by visiting the on-campus tutoring center with my big and small questions.
Asking for help isn’t a bad thing. It just means you’re not an expert at everything, which is precisely why we’re in school. Whether you get help in person or online, utilize those resources that are available when you need help. You’ll have greater support and improve your mental health all in one.
Make This School Year Your Best Yet
Utilizing these tips has made it a lot easier to study, keep up with my friends and feel my best all year long. Try them out for yourself to see how they transform your school year.
