Back to School: Best Practices for a Great Year

Most students are headed back to school and for some being back in the classroom has been a long time coming. Whether you were in school last year or participated in remote learning, there are some simple things you can do to prepare yourself for a successful school year.

Get Organized

Being organized is key to working through your schoolwork effectively and efficiently. You might choose to have a dedicated space where you can concentrate on homework, but if you prefer to change up your environment, use a small box or tote for your supplies so you can move to other work spaces and continue to keep your supplies organized. Organization should go beyond your homework space; keep your backpack or bag organized as well as your locker. It will help you focus on what’s important and find what you need more easily.

Use A Planner

Take some time at the beginning of each week to update a planner so you can envision what success looks for that week. You may start off the year using this practice, but a commitment to this can wane over time. Be committed to maintaining a planner.

Take Steps

When you have a big project, assignment, exam, or essay in can feel daunting. One strategy for tackling these situations is to break them up into incremental action steps. Use your planner to record key milestones so you don’t procrastinate and risk giving it your full effort.

Network

Building relationships with your peers and teachers is another way to ensure that you have a great school year. Most teachers appreciate a student who will have open communication with them so don’t hesitate to reach out when you need help or have questions. When you have relationships with other students, you can contact them when you miss class, have a question, or want to participate in a study group.

Get Rest

Getting enough rest is an often-overlooked aspect of a successful academic year. It can be tempting to stay up late to get some additional study time in, finish homework assignments, or hang out with friend. But don’t forget that sufficient rest has a direct correlation to doing well at school.

Don’t Bully Yourself

Never engage in behavior that hurts other students and if you are being bullied, reach out to a school counselor, teacher, or parent. But sometimes the biggest problem is that we bully ourselves. Be patient with yourself and accepting of setbacks or weaknesses you have. Unfortunately, we can be unkind to ourselves and that does not contribute to allowing ourselves to be our best selves. Remember that school is not always easy, and you may experience hardships. It is important to take breaks, let your mind rest, and carve in some fun.

There will continue to be added stress because of Covid-19 so the most important thing to remember is to take care of your mental health. Please reach out to a trusted adult and share how you are feeling. There is help available for any challenge you are facing.