5 Tips to Begin the New Year Right: School Smarts

1. Be Proactive

Everyone has been guilty of procrastinating at some point. Whether you waited to read the last chapter in your textbook until the night before the following day’s test or you tried to finish an essay in the library 30 minutes before class. Use the opportunity of a new year to alter these habits. If your teacher assigns something two weeks before it’s due, work on the assignment a little at a time. If it’s an essay, you can write a paragraph a day and you will be done a week before the deadline. You can then use the extra week to have your parents edit the paper and check for any grammatical or spelling errors so that you can receive a better grade on the assignment.

2. Be Responsible

No one is perfect, so everyone is bound to make mistakes, but it is important to make the necessary effort in school to eliminate any big errors. For instance, if a teacher assigns a homework assignment, make sure to write it down in a planner or notebook. I know that you think you can remember it, but you might find yourself at home wondering what math problems you have to solve, or what chapters you are supposed to read. Make “to-do” lists and stay accountable by checking off assignments once you have completed them.

3. Be Attentive

If you are a daydreamer or you tend to fall asleep in class, use to new year to develop better habits to pay attention and be alert in the classroom. You may have a million things running through your head in class about friends or family, but it’s important to utilize class time to listen carefully and ask necessary questions. You do not want to return home and realize that you do not understand any of the material. Take notes in class and refer to those notes when you are doing your homework.

4. Be Positive

Attitude is so important when beginning a new year because it is your opportunity to set new goals and develop new game plans for success. Remember that “you are the company you keep”, so a key step in staying positive is surrounding yourself with people who have similar goals you do and people who are focused and willing to put in effort in school and other activities. Take some time to write down things that you can do every day to maintain a positive attitude.

5. Be Focused

Don’t ever forget that you’re in school to learn and acquire the good grades that you need to succeed later on in life. Friends are great and a healthy social life is important, but you cannot become so consumed in chatting between classes and talking on the phone all night that you get distracted from homework, classes, and extracurricular activities. Make sure to maintain balance by following step 1, 2, 3, and 4 as well as developing healthy relationships that support a positive school atmosphere.