Summer is nearing its end; it's time to get back to the classroom! Are you ready? If not, these back-to-school tips will help your new semester start off smoothly.
1. Back to School Tip #1: Organize Your Stuff
flickr user evelynishere
Nothing will make you feel more stressed or unprepared than scrambling to find a pencil in your mom's junk drawer three minutes before you leave for the first day of school.
Go shopping now!
Get the basic stuff you need well before school starts - pens, pencils, paper, notebooks. Don't go too crazy, though. Remember, you'll probably be getting a list of supplies you'll need from your teachers. Stick with the basics.
2. Back to School Tip #2: Organize Your Schedule
flickr user theogeo
Follow the time management rules, and get your schedule organized. School time is busy with practices, club meetings, a social life, and oh – homework and studying! Organize your schedule with my time management chart, scheduling in study and homework time, so you're prepared when those big tests pop up.
3. Back to School Tip #3: Plan for Disaster
flickr user howieluvsus
Plans always end up getting changed, so plan for disaster. Your ride won't show up, your schedule will change in the middle of the year, the SAT class you signed up to take is full. If you plan on things not working out sometimes, you won't feel as flustered when things fall apart. Build in some extra weekend time to accommodate for missed plans.
4. Back to School Tip #4: Stay Calm
Flickr user gotplaid?
Stress will lead you straight to poor grades in school and lousy performances on tests. You have to practice some stress relief when you're sweating out a tough test, or trying to solve an unanswerable problem. The calmer you are, the better you'll do!
5. Back to School Tip #5: Surf the Web
flickr user Pink Sherbet
No, not just on Twitter or Facebook. Do a little research prior to school starting. Check out your school's homepage. Learn the layout of the school you'll be attending if you've transferred or are moving up to high school for the first time. Read your teacher's websites. Locate your schedule. Do a quick Google search on the some of the topics you'll be encountering in the upcoming year.
Most of all, prep for the major tests you'll be taking, if the SAT, PSAT or ACT is in your immediate future.
