With the seasons changing comes the start of something new, and in this case it is the upcoming 2023-2024 school year! Whether it is middle school, high school or college, something that never changes is the hope for the school year to be even better than the year before. Here are five tips from LeadYouth to incorporate in your upcoming school year so you can achieve all of your goals.
Dive Into a Diverse World of Clubs
Get involved in a variety of clubs at your school. Early in the year, most schools have a club fair which showcases all of the different clubs available for you to join. Decide which clubs interest you, but make sure not to spread yourself too thin!
Through my school fair, I joined clubs like Model UN and Speech and Debate to correspond with my interests in public speaking. These clubs helped me become more well versed in international politics and improve my research skills.
Master Time Management
Another tip for success is to establish a system for staying organized. This will ensure that you are staying on top of all of your tasks. Some ways to organize your time is by using tools such as: planners or calendars.
For me, I always write out my assignments, assessments, and meetings in a planner so that I know when things are coming up. This allows me to have a visual representation of my schedule which improves my productivity. And always remember that when it feels like tasks keep piling, it is totally okay to take a break and step away for a few minutes or hours!
Crush Distractions for Good
Similar to organizing your time, creating effective study habits will help you achieve that excellent school year. In a study conducted by Stanford University, it was reported that “38% of students are unable to last more than 10 minutes without checking their phone or social media account, and nearly three quarters of college students admit they are constantly engaging with some form of technology while studying.”
As a high school student, I often find myself falling victim to this issue. The University of Connecticut revealed that “students who multitasked while studying had to study longer and had lower grades on average than peers who multitasked less often.” In order to circumvent this, always make sure to keep your phone and other distractions in another room. Have the mindset to get all of your work done and then reward yourself with screen time.
Boost Your Brainpower: Break a Sweat
With all of the hustle and the constant pressures associated with school, it can get stressful at times. A good way to deal with this is to go outside or be active for at least half an hour each day. When we are stationery for hours on end, we feel fatigued and this can negatively affect our mental health and productivity.
For me, I enjoy going outside and walking or jogging while listening to music. This makes me feel more energetic and happier. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention “Being physically active can improve your brain health, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities.” This shows that being active makes you feel better both physically and mentally.
Beyond the Books...
Although life may seem demanding, it is important to still find ways to have fun. Having fun provides you with a well deserved and necessary break from academic pressures and allows you to recharge. Moreover, these positive experiences create lasting memories and contribute to your personal growth and development.
Whatever this may look like for you, always try to incorporate some time for relaxing and enjoyment. For me, I love going out with friends and family to watch a movie or shop. You should try to create a work life balance to monitor your academic goals and personal well being because both are equally important.
Conclusion
Whether it is increasing your academic participation or just simply having fun, enjoy these times, as once they are gone they will never come back. Additionally, always be sure to work towards self improvement and take one day at a time so that you can have an even better year than the one before.