By Katie Harmon
Now that the school year is back in full swing and the workload is starting to increase, things at school can get pretty stressful. Here at The Branford Buzz have put together a list of ten tips that will help you to have the most successful year possible.
Good luck.
Change up your study spots
Finding new environments to do homework or study will help keep you interested and excited to learn. Some examples of study spots can be your desk, a local coffee shop, the library, or even somewhere outside, like a park or the town green. Just make sure it is distraction free, so you can stay focused. If you can’t change up your spot, maybe change up something else, like grabbing a cool drink or snack to keep things interesting.
Use a Planner or Make a To-do List
This will help to keep track of homework, test dates, club meetings, sports, and other important events. Staying organized and on top of your busy schedule is a major key to success. You don’t want to forget the date of that important test just because you didn’t write it down!
Don’t Procrastinate
If you know about a test or quiz ahead of time, don’t wait until the last day to start studying. Plan ahead of time and study a little bit each day. This goes for homework too!
Use Your Time Wisely
If you have a study hall or even just an extra ten minutes at the end of class, use that time to get some homework done, study, or even to get ahead in a class. Wasting that time will only end up in more work for you to do when you get home.
Make Friends in Class
Friends will make coming to school everyday much more exciting, but having friends in class can also help your grades (that is if you don’t spend all class talking). You can ask them questions about the classwork and remind each other of due dates. You can also help each other out when someone is absent.
Start The Day Off Right
Starting the day with a good breakfast to give you energy for the whole day is very important for busy high school students. Make an effort to wake up a bit earlier to give yourself the time to eat and have a relaxing morning. You don’t want to be rushing out the door and stressing before you even get to class!
Participate In Class
Don’t be afraid to speak up. Your opinions and questions can contribute to valuable class discussions that will help you and your peers gain interest and understanding in the information you’re learning. Get excited about what you’re learning!
Get involved at school
Do not wait to get involved with something. Branford High School has dozens of clubs and activities for students to get involved with. Even if you do not play sports, there are numerous opportunities to meet other like-minded students. Some of the clubs include Model Congress, ping pong, E-sports, student council, even The Branford Buzz. During homeroom, there will be a club fair later this month to showcase the many different opportunities.
Have a good Relationship With Your Teachers
Don’t be afraid to stay after and ask for help if you don’t understand something. Your teachers are here to help and want you to have the best learning experience possible.
Find Stress Management Techniques
The school year can certainly be a very stressful and busy time for many of us, but if you can find some techniques to help you stay calm and collected, you should be able to have it under control. Some examples of stress management techniques are deep breathing, going for a walk, journaling, talking to a friend or therapist (the school social workers are always available), playing with your pet, or anything else that you find works for you!
