So a new school year has now started again and the holidays seem a long way off. Here are some tips to ease the transition from holiday mode back into study mode…
Start going to bed earlier
Students are all refreshed after the summer holidays; at the same time Christmas term is more than three months long. Save your energy and preserve it. Don’t watch one more episode of your favourite sitcom during the week; save that for the weekend. Going to bed early during the week will help keep you alert during the school day and make you more receptive in class.
Join a club or try something new
Now is the time to try something new! There must be something that you have been meaning to do but have never tried. Maybe it’s martial arts, starting a new musical instrument, chess or even participating in the school play.
Try something new before the new school year starts and give it a go! At most schools, there is no long term commitment to clubs for the first few weeks of term. Not only will participating in new extra-curricular activities make your school / university applications more well-rounded but it will also give you a new target to channel your enthusiasm for learning aside from reading text books.
Get organised and stay organised
Particularly for older students, but even for younger children, ensure you are responsible for your own homework and academic activities. Make a calendar or timetable and stick it on your bedroom wall. For older students, make your school timetable the background on your mobile phone. Get into a homework routine and try to stick to it as closely as possible. Getting into the routine is the most difficult part; once you’re in it, it’s easier.
Put time limits on your homework and reward yourself
If you tell yourself that you have only 40 minutes to complete your homework, you are more likely to complete it within that time period as opposed to having an open ended time limit. Reward yourself (for example half an hour of TV or 30 minutes on the iPad) but only if you are able to complete your assignments on time. By giving yourself time limits and rewarding yourself, these will make your actual time studying hugely more efficient.
If you are sitting exams this year; start scheduling and planning now
Yes, it’s true, before you know it, it’s going to be half term. Ask your teacher now what topics you will be covering on the syllabus and when you will be studying them. Put these down in your timetable. For students sitting exams in January 2015, be aware that you will need time for rest, relaxation and yes, revision. Failing to prepare, is preparing to fail. To increase confidence and boost performance, a little bit of work over a longer period of time is hugely more beneficial than last minute cramming.