Mark your calendars. The countdown to the start of the school year is on. Not ready yet? Here are some back to school tips for students. Make this year your best one yet.
10 Back to School Tips
One thing all A-students have in common? They implement good study habits weeks before the actual starting date of school.
Listed below are 10 back to school tips that are sure to make the transition from holiday-mode to school much easier.
- Prepare Mentally
- Get Organised Before School Starts
- Make Sure you Have the Right Tools
- Get in a Routine
- Creative an Effective Study Area
- Set Specific Goals for the new Semester
- Set Ground Rules
- Research and Improve Your Study Skills
- Revise Some of Your old Work
- Get Some Rest
Prepare Mentally
A week or two before school opens, start to process your thoughts and feelings about the new school year. If you are feeling unusually anxious, it could be because of:
- Unrealistic expectations from parents or yourself
- Pressure to succeed
- Learning challenges
- Bullying/Other factors
If your anxiety becomes crippling, discuss it with your friends, family or seek professional help.
Get Organised Before School Starts
If you have an outline of the work you will be covering this year, go through it. Use this to create a work schedule. This should cover:
- When you will do homework
- Assignments that are due
- Break times
Make Sure you Have the Right Tools
Your school will usually provide you with a stationery list. Make sure to get all your supplies in advance. Most stores run back to school specials at the start of the year. Try and make use of these savings.
Get in a Routine
The biggest challenge when going back to school? Trying to get in the rhythm of waking up early and being productive during the day. A week before school, go to bed earlier and practice waking up earlier.
Creative an Effective Study Area
Identify a designated study area and make it as effective as possible. Make sure all your study tools are accessible in this space. Your study area should be:
- Clean
- Quiet and private
- Free of any distractions
Set Specific Goals for the new Semester
Setting goals keeps you focused. Before the start of the new semester, jot down some goals you would like to accomplish. Your goals should be:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Attainable
- Realistic
- Time-Based
Set Ground Rules
Once you have set your goals, it’s time to set some ground rules. These are non-negotiables that you will set for yourself. These rules could be things like:
- Putting your phone on airplane mode when you are busy with homework
- Spending at least 3 hours a day on studying
- Going to bed early during the week
Improve Your Study Skills
If you have any regrets about your previous performance, now is the time to change that. Spend some time researching study methods. Some study methods that work are:
- Colour coded notes
- Mind mapping
- The PQ4R (Preview, Question, Recite, Review) Method
Revise Your old Work
Before learning new work, first ensure that you have mastered the work of the previous academic year. Refresh some old concepts by reading through your notes and assignments. This will set a strong foundation to learn the new course material.
Get Some Rest
Make sure you get a good night’s rest the night before school starts. Try to get at least 8 hours of rest. If you are struggling to relax, try the following methods:
- Take a warm bath or shower
- Don’t drink caffeine late at night
- Use lavender essential oil or scented candles to calm you down
Now that you have these back to school tips for students, all that’s left to say is goodluck! Make this academic year your best one yet.
The Countdown Starts!
It’s never too early to start thinking about your goals for the future. Want to further your education beyond school? Have a look at our distance learning courses. Speak to a course consultant for more information:
- Call us for free on 0800 39 00 27
- Or fill out this contact form for a call back
