With the end of summer, it’s finally that time of year again. Whether you’re looking forward to it or completely dreading it, there’s no way to avoid it.
Back to school season.
Although it’s not everyone’s favorite time, (mine for one is Christmas,) there are still ways to make it bearable and memorable as the days go by. Here are some tips and tricks for having a good year.
A. Stay organized!!
Now, this one is definitely obvious, but there’s nothing better than a clear mind and a clear space. There are plenty of apps you can use to stay organized (for example: Google Calendar) and be on top of your schoolwork and other extracurricular activities. Getting organized and staying organized can be fun too! Maybe you like to plan, get yourself a nice planner, some pens and markers, and go crazy! You may be able to make your planner or calendar colorful, which will motivate you to work more on your schedule and stay on top of things.
OF THEM. Make goals!
This is another thing that goes hand in hand with staying organized. How are you going to have a good school year if you’re not sure what you want to aim for? These could be goals for the school year that you want to achieve before summer, semester goals, or maybe even weekly goals. By working on these things, you can feel a sense of accomplishment and be proud of yourself as you work toward and achieve your goals. Setting goals also gives you something to look forward to as you work through the school year.
THREE. To be involved!
Right now, I’m in high school. I haven’t done much in the last three years, but now I find myself joining any club that seems to interest me. It’s really refreshing to get involved in school, and it makes you feel like you’re really a part of your school instead of someone who just goes there. However, getting involved does not necessarily mean school alone. If there are clubs or volunteer opportunities that really interest you, then join them! If you can’t join anything yet, that’s okay! There’s always next year, and there may be other ways for you to get involved in your school or community.
FOUR. Get out of your comfort zone!
There is a saying that there is ‘Nothing better than being at home‘, now that’s true, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to letting loose and trying new things once in a while. You might try or do something you never imagined doing and find yourself enjoying it immensely! Granted, you might try something new and find yourself hating it, but that’s okay too! You still took a chance and put yourself forward, and that’s something to be proud of! Personally, I’m quite an outgoing person and like to keep things routine, but sometimes I find myself doing or trying something that I honestly didn’t expect of myself, and I end up loving it. . So get out of your comfort zone! You might enjoy it!
FIVE. Get plenty of rest!!
Now, that’s another no-brainer, but getting enough sleep (about 8 hours) each night can dramatically change your attitude and your mind. I mean, nobody likes getting up early for school anyway, but at least you’ll be well rested when you wake up. We all know by now that it’s hard to get exactly 8 hours of sleep every night, but make sure you get enough sleep to feel refreshed. And it’s not just waking up in the morning that helps you get enough sleep, it’ll also help you through your day, and you’ll be more alert and less prone to sleep in class! This means you won’t miss any important words on the instruction while you’re trying to catch those Z’s you missed while you were sleeping.
SIX. Plan ahead!
This step can be applied to almost anything. Maybe you’re packing your lunch for school; you can do this the night before school so you can get ready for school faster. Maybe you have a big paper due in a few weeks. Maybe now you can research a topic and start thinking about an essay layout that way you’re not scrambling and trying to figure out if your essay sounds good enough. previous night. I can speak from experience that planning ahead is extremely beneficial. There’s something about doing important work before it’s needed or preparing ahead of time that can fill you with pride and accomplishment. Plus, you’ll never catch yourself trying to get things done again!
SEVEN. Improve your study habits!
Maybe one of your goals for the school year is to get better grades. Or maybe the college season is approaching and you want to maintain your GPA. Either way, it’s good to improve your study habits! There are many ways to do this. You and your friends can get together and start a study group! Or maybe you can start recording class lessons to play back later and take notes. There really is no right way to study. It’s really easy to find a way that works for you! You could form a study group with a few of your friends and meet at the library or hang out for a few hours after school. It might be highlighting, rewriting notes, or maybe not taking notes at all and just listening. Maybe take some time to study after school and listen to a good study playlist and just go over the notes and concepts until you’re sure you understand them. But make sure you can find a way that benefits you, and stick with it throughout the school year. Soon you will see yourself getting the grades you want or improving the grades you already have.
EIGHT. Make new friends!!
Now, this one can be a little doozy. I’m pretty sure we all already have our group of friends, the ones you’ve bonded with since before you can remember. You can still make new friends! Or maybe it’s your year at a new school! It would be a great opportunity to meet new people! Although it may seem nerve-racking to some, meeting new people is always great. For me, making friends is really hard, but over the last few years of high school, and just school in general, I ended up making some really good friends that I’m glad to have by my side. . Although I am not really close to these people anymore, I am still happy to have had the chance to meet them and become friends, a chance that I would not have had if I had not put myself forward. You never know what great and meaningful friendships may result! And it’s always great to create new memories with people (and new memories with the same people too!)
NEW. Work hard! (And don’t be discouraged)
Everyone wants to do good in school, even if we hate it. And it’s good to see that the hard work pays off. So make sure you always put your best foot forward when tackling anything; (homework, assignments, projects, etc.) and do your best. You should be proud of yourself and what you spend your time and energy on. But, unfortunately, there are times when we try our best and don’t get the results we want. Do not abandon !!! It can be daunting at first, just keep persevering and work harder next time, and I’m sure you’ll do much better! And remember, you are more than a leaderboard, letter grade, or test score. It’s a mentality I still struggle with and something that took me a long time to accept. It can feel very difficult at times, that’s for sure, but school and classes, and juggling a social life while learning become much more breathable and easier over time.
TEN. Find ways to relax!!
School is a big stressor. So when you feel stressed, find ways to relax! It can be drinking tea, reading a book, doing a face mask or having a mini dance party! It doesn’t really matter, as long as it’s something that relaxes you and makes you happy. School can be tough at times, but you’re tougher, so don’t let it get the better of you! For me personally, I take some time off in the middle of the week, maybe on a Wednesday (or Friday if it’s a busy and hectic week) and sit on the couch and watch an episode of Gossip Girl while doing a face mask or painting my nails. I just do anything that kind of takes my mind off the stress of the week. Find something that really helps you forget about the week and is also a little reward for working hard and staying productive. 
ELEVEN. Use class time wisely!!
This is a new strategy I learned last year at school: if your teacher has finished the class or lesson and you find yourself having a few moments to yourself, then use them! You can start doing your homework or make a list of things you need to do after school! You can also take this time to ask your teacher any questions you may have about the lesson or about certain concepts that have puzzled you. These small class moments can mean a big difference between the amount of homework you have or the interest in the lesson topic. It’s definitely useful in the long run, so please use it!
TWELVE. Cherish the memories!!
A picture is worth a thousand words, that’s true. Thanks to the photos and videos, you will be able to remember this great school year for years to come. Now, I’m not saying you have to get a professional camera and film, but if you want to, go for it! Looking at photos and videos of a special moment or period in your life brings back wonderful memories and feelings of that moment. You don’t have to capture every moment if you don’t want to, but at the very least, take photos and videos of the moments you never want to forget, or those you might forget. In the end, you might be able to make a little montage or exhibit showing all the wonderful times you’ve had over the year that you can remember forever.
So go ahead, use these tips and have the best school year of your life!
