How to Start the Year Off Right
In this article, I will be sharing five of my favourite tips for starting the school year off right. It may only be August, but it’s never too early to start preparing!
1. Get back to a regular sleep schedule
It’s possible that your sleep schedule shifted a bit this summer, but don’t worry, it happens to the best of us.
What’s important now is getting back on track! Figure out what time your school classes start and work from there. Will you have activities before school? Do you need extra time to get ready? These are some things to consider when making a sleep schedule for September. Once you have a time worked out, let’s say, 7am, start practicing waking up at that time. It’s also important to practice going to sleep at a reasonable hour. You know yourself best, so if you need 10 hours of sleep, do it. If you only need 6 hours of sleep to feel rested the next day, that’s good too! On average, though, people need 8 hours of sleep, so if you needed to wake up at 7am, you’d have to go to sleep at 11pm. It might be hard at first, if you’re schedule changed a lot this summer, but it’ll be worth it when you’re ready to go on your first day! It takes time to build good habits, so if you start getting back on track now, you’ll be all set for back to school.
2. Set goals for yourself
Whether you want to improve your grades, join clubs, volunteer, or all of the above, it’s important to outline these goals for yourself in advance.
Try setting some long term goals, as well as some short term ones. A long term goal could be something that lasts the whole year, or even goes into the next. This could be getting your B average to an A, having a productive schedule, or anything else you can think of, these are your goals! A short term goal is something you want to achieve in a short period of time, maybe in a few weeks, maybe in just one semester. It’s also recommended that you try setting some non-academic goals as well, since you have a life outside of school. Maybe you want to join the band, or make some new friends. These are some great examples of non-academic goals you could try for yourself. Whatever you choose, though, just remember that it’s ok if your goals don’t align with someone else’s. Goals are a way to keep you on track throughout the year, no one else. You got this!
3. Organize your workspace
Getting a dedicated work area set up can be critical to success in the school year.
It’s recommended that you set up at a desk in a quiet location, but your workspace can be anywhere! Maybe you work best outside, in a coffee shop, or in your bed! Just make sure it works for you. Wherever you set up, make sure to have everything you need ready to go. Stationary, books, a laptop, and calendars are all things you could use at your work area. There are more, of course, these are just some common suggestions. You want to make your space comfortable, and peaceful for when you have to work. Maybe invest in a nice chair, or get a small plant for your table. Being in a calm space while you’re working is extremely useful, as you won’t get stressed or distracted as easily, allowing you to stay focused. Try getting this space set up now so you’re ready for school. It’ll be worth the effort!
4. Make a day planner
Getting each day organized can mean less stress and more free time for you!
Before starting the school year, or very early into the year, make a day planner, they can be really useful later on. Write down when you’re classes start and end, when you’re done with extracurriculars, and dedicate some time for any homework you may have. Once you have this, fill in any extra time with whatever you want! Maybe you have other time commitments, or maybe you want to write down your meal times. Remember, it’s important to take breaks when needed, so incorporate them into your schedule. When your day plan is complete, look back on it, and see if there’s any free time for yourself. This time can be used however you want, such as for movies or games. Having this day planner, even if it’s just a rough outline, can be very useful once school starts, since you’ll have a better idea of what you need to get done every day. It also promotes better time management, which is a great skill to have. Getting this done early makes it easier, and you won’t have to waste time on it once things start to get busy. It’s a great resource to have, it can make managing school a lot easier than it needs to be!
5. Get the support you need now
This one is crucial to your future success. Having the right supports in place can make your year so much better, and can decrease the struggles you might face otherwise.
Whether you struggle with a specific subject, your mental health, or anything else, there are supports out there for you. People care about you, and want you to succeed. Reach out to your family, friends, guidance counsellors, or teachers for help, they’ll be there for you. Reaching out before school starts is very important, since you might not have time or motivation to do it later. If you know you’ll need help in your upcoming math class, register with a tutor early. If you’ve been struggling with your mental health, seek counselling with a therapist or other trusted person. You’ll be glad you did later on.