Try these back to school tips to prepare yourself to get in gear for the academic year ahead and have a productive and successful school year.
It can be easy to underestimate the importance of allowing yourself to have time off, relax and switch off, and the summer holidays is a great opportunity to allow full recuperation before a busy term of school or university commences. Back to school can be a harsh transition for many students, as your priorities shift and productivity becomes a main focus it can be difficult to get used to a more structured routine. This is why it is helpful to get ahead and start preparing yourself early to get back into the swing of balancing work life alongside hobbies, social time and any other pressures of life.
Here are some tips that should ease your anxieties around productivity to help you gain momentum and transition seamlessly into an effective and rewarding study routine.
1. Focus on your mindset.
A lot of the issues that students experience concerning productivity begins with their mindset. In order to amend an attitude of apprehension and negativity towards your studies try and think about something, you will look forward to. Figure out what gets you excited about going back to school or university and what will keep you motivated. Create a mood board that visually establishes some goals, create a study music playlist, maybe go and buy some school supplies, or decorate a study space at home that you will look forward to using. Working to change your mindset, combats the fear often attached to study and productivity which can be the main cause of procrastination.
2. Make 3 small changes to your routine.
To ease yourself into a work-life routine, begin by shifting some of the more relaxed habits you’ve become accustomed to in your break. Getting enough sleep is crucial for focus and productivity – it could be that having late nights and lie-ins in the morning has become a habit in your summer. It’s a good idea to try each night to set your alarm to an earlier time by small increments to wake up each day and change your bedtime routine. It does not have to be extreme, the benefit of making small changes to your lifestyle allows your brain and body to adjust comfortably to a new routine. Think about how you are fuelling your body or the activities you are completing in your downtime – make sure you’re eating balanced meals throughout the day and maybe swap out scrolling on social media for getting outside and being social in person.
3. Reflect on the past year.
If you’re finding it difficult to know where to start, how about setting some time aside to reflect on what was successful and not successful about the last academic year? This could be done with your work patterns or lifestyle habits. Identify what you want to improve on and then set some targets for yourself, so you have a clear direction of what to prioritize when life becomes busy. Next, setting goals for the upcoming school year can be a powerful tool to achieve academic success. By creating specific, measurable, and achievable goals, you can create a roadmap to success and stay motivated throughout the year. Don’t forget to think about steps to avoid procrastination and put your best foot forward.
4. Get ahead on your assignments.
It is important to be kind to your future self, when term begins you’re going to have lots of assignments to juggle. Designating specific tasks to certain days over the holidays will make your workload more manageable and will keep your brain in an active state. Make a start on tackling those books on your reading list, complete all your summer homework or start brainstorming ideas for your upcoming dissertation. Don’t be afraid to keep yourself accountable, habits take time to stick so the earlier you begin the easier it’ll be. Whether you’re in middle school, high school, or gearing up for college applications, you’ll be grateful you started the school year with your best foot forward.
Entering your school calendar into the MyStudyLife school organizer once you get it can be an effective way to start organizing yourself and getting ahead for the new school year. By having a clear view of your schedule, assignments, and exams, you can prioritize your tasks and set achievable goals to stay on top of your workload.
5. Don’t be fearful of a false start.
Like New Year’s resolutions, it is not uncommon to have an all-or-nothing attitude toward implementing new habits and routines when going back to school. However, it is important to give yourself grace, and if you find yourself not sticking to the plans and targets you set yourself for the start of the year, it is key to remember that each day provides a new opportunity to start again. Whether you’re entering high school as a freshman or about to graduate, ups and downs are expected! Keep focused on maintaining a healthy state of mind, even if everything feels chaotic and things aren’t going to plan. As much as academic success is important, your mental and physical well-being should not be sacrificed to achieve this. Staying organized and mastering time management becomes easier the more you do it.
