The new school year is right around the corner! Unfortunately, we frequently find ourselves rushing last-minute to get things done in time before the new term begins. With that being said, it is within your best interests to adequately prepare yourself for the new academic year. Whether last year’s grades left something to be desired or you were on top of your game, here are 5 things you MUST do before you go back to school for a smooth and stress-free start to the school year.
Revise Difficult Topics from Last Year
If there is a topic or two that you didn’t quite grasp last year, or know you have difficulty remembering, make sure you revise it before you go back to school. It is important that you understand last year’s material before moving on to this year’s material, especially if future topics will depend heavily on your understanding of last year’s material. If not, you might find yourself having to make time to revise these topics further down the line when things get a little more complicated. Save yourself the trouble and do what can be done now to minimize your workload later.
Complete Any and All Summer Projects/Assignments
There are usually many tasks given to students to complete or begin over the summer break. Ensure that you do all your assignments, projects and homework before school starts. This may help to cultivate a positive first day or even first week back to school and allows you to start this new chapter without worrying about catching up. This is also a great way to revise certain topics without borderline studying. For example, doing a few Math questions everyday will give you the necessary practice to master the topic without spending hours on end stressing about equations and algebra. You get to make progress without the usual stress of balancing all your other subjects and day to day school activities at the same time.
Read Through Syllabus for Each Subject
When tackling new topics, it is important to be as prepared as you can be. Take some time to browse through the general and specific syllabus objectives for each subject that you do. Not only does this introduce you to the topics you will be learning, but it also gives you an overview of what to expect and allows you to determine how difficult the semester will be for you so you can prepare adequately. If you will be moving on to a more complex version of a topic you’ve already learned and struggled with, you are aware of how much studying or practice you should do before it becomes more difficult.
Set New Goals for Each Week/Month/Term
Take some time to reflect on your actions, attitude and habits that either helped or hindered your progress last year, as well as what you want to gain and lose during the upcoming year. This is the perfect opportunity to set new long term and short-term goals or resolutions. Our Student Productivity Planner is perfect for this and can help you to create goals for each week, month or term, and use them to guide you as the semesters go by. These may be as simple as ‘practice math every day for 20 minutes’ or ‘make time to read more’. It sets the tone for the year to be a productive one, and with some healthy study habits, a positive attitude and hard work, you can achieve all your goals. The accomplishment of your goals, whether big or small, also fosters feelings of positivity that can motivate you to do and be more this school year.
Get Your Sleep Schedule Back on Track
If you have not been working or going to summer school, it is more likely than not that your sleep schedule has been completely discarded. For some people, it can be quite difficult to get that schedule back on track. Start by reintroducing an alarm clock to your daily routine a week or two before school to ease yourself into waking up early. Each day, set it earlier than the day before until you’re back to time you usually wake up before the summer break. Studies have shown that reducing your screen time a few hours before bed is also linked to better sleep due to the reduced exposure to the blue light emitted from smartphones, tablets and televisions. You can also:
Avoid snacks full of sugar before bed
Resist the urge to nap during the day
Be consistent, don’t hit snooze and sleep in
Create a relaxing bedtime routine
The summer break always seems to go by the fastest, and in no time, it’s already back to school. The transition from summer break into the new school year can be hectic and tedious, but with these 5 activities, you’ll be more than prepared for what the new school year has to bring.
Which of these activities will you start with first?
NB* Our Student Productivity Planner is also available for sale at our local office.
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