Study Smart:First Aid

First Day at School

The Problem...

Dear Study Smart: The first day back at school always messes me up. Help! -- Nicole.h, Oregon

A Solution

Dear Nicole: As a 3.8 - 4.0 student I have a pretty good plan in my mind for going back to school.

Prepare

1. Prepare for going back to school this summer. Clean out your room, your study, your computer (all those cobweb files of lost school reports) and that way you won't have to be continuously searching for things throughout the year.

2. Get things to organize your school stuff. For instance find places where you can put notebooks, paper, binders, etc., for each subject. Some stores sell inexpensive things called "Mini Chests". These Mini Chests are plastic boxes, five feet high, made up into lots of shelves. They make for a great supply shelf. For me I put my mail in the top shelf, then comes English in the second, then math, science, all the way down the chest.

3. Get all your school supplies in advance. You don't want to go shopping three days into the schoolyear after realizing you don't have what you need. Go to your local supermarket and look for school supplies sales. Try to get good, inexpensive materials. These include a backpack (if you don't already have one or if it's falling apart), a pencil case, a binder (should be sturdy), folders, notebooks, pencils, pens, highlighters, scissors, whiteout, stick-on glue (or rubber cement), tape, staples and a stapler.

4. Get yourself emotionally ready. Try to relax as much as you can before the school year starts. You want to start school in a positive way not a frantic one. Call old friends and try to get together before the school year starts. The week before school starts try to excercise a little, read a little, call some people, have friends come over, go out to a movie, etc.,

5. The day before school starts make sure everything you need is in your backpack and that you're ready to leave for the next day. Eat a good dinner and try to go to bed as early as possible.

The Day School Starts

1. On the day school starts get up on time and get a full, nourishing breakfast. Studies have shown breakfast is a very important meal.

2. Get to school on time. You won't want to start the school year off being late on the first day.

3. Get to know your teachers and if new kids have come to your school or you're starting in a new school try to get to know some other kids.

4. Start the school year right. It is important to have a homework time for yourself, especially if this year your teachers are really the gigantic homework givers.

5. For short-term projects (i.e., due tomorrow, due in two days) start on them as soon as you get home or right after school if you stay after to study.

6. Start right away trying to prioritize what you need to get done and when. Do not procrastinate if humanly possible. Procrastination is probably one of the worst things you can do if you've got a bunch of homework, and believe me I know! Categorize what homework you have when you get home, by subject, priority (when it's due and how big the project is), and its difficulty level.

7. Set priorities. For some kids, it's better to start with the difficult projects, for others its easier to progress from easy to hard. Try to find out what works best with you. If your teacher gives real big projects choose a period each night/day when you will focus on that, so you can progress on it a bit each day instead of doing it the night it's due.

8. Make friends and keep a social atmosphere within the school one. It is important to have friends and be social. If you're lonely it often can make you depressed which makes school a whole lot harder, especially maintaining focus on projects. If you already have friends stick with em' and try to balance your social life with academics. However, it's important not to go too far either way. Going to a midnight bash Sunday night instead of doing homework can drop that grade of yours from point A to point C. Not only does late night partying, and the occasional skipping of homework drop your grade, it can also drain you physically. On the other hand if you're done with homework it's better to go get an ice-cream with friends then try to get ahead of your class. Missing valuable social experiences will hurt you emotionally.

9. Get involved in extracurricular activities - not only for fun but for your resume.

10) Ready for school to start now? Remember to stay healthy, be on time to school and make friends. Go to bed as early as you can, eat good meals and take your vitamins! Exercise, take time out for friends and for your extracurricular activities. Most of all have fun and don't wear yourself out!

Thanks to Melody.d for these answers, to Nicole.h for the question, and to Gina for editing this article.