A Path to Success: Tips for a Great School Year
The summer heat may still be going strong but another school year has already begun. Here at Tutor Delphia, we know that a new school year is a year full of fresh possibilities. The start of the school year can set the tone for the rest of the year. That means starting off strong allows you to build some great momentum that can carry you through the rest of the year.
Organization is key for a successful school year. Want to go the tech route? MyHomework is a free app that allows you to track homework and upcoming projects. Another option is to have a physical folder for every subject area that includes your notes, handouts, etc. Keep all the subject folders together in an old-school binder. While you’re busy getting organized know that checklists are your friend. Depending on your schedule, you might want to have a checklist for the day, week or month. At the end of the day there’s nothing like the satisfaction of checking things off your daily checklist. A monthly checklist can help you stay in tune with the bigger picture.
Everyone has a different learning style. Do you learn best if you read something from a book or do you need someone to explain a topic to you? Understanding your learning style can help you become more productive and efficient in your study habits. There are lots of free online assessments you can take if you don’t know your learning style. We like http://www.educationplanner.org/students/self-assessments/learning-styles-quiz.shtml because it offers specific study suggestions based on your style.
When it comes to classes, rethink how you take notes. Many schools now allow students to take notes on their laptops. This works for a lot of students and is good practice for college but make sure your typing skills are solid before you attempt this. Trying to take notes with lackluster typing skills almost ensures that you’ll fall behind in that class. If you already take notes on a computer and find that you have documents everywhere, try organizing your notes in a wiki like pbworks.com. Some technical skills are required but being able to add links and pages to your notes is a cool feature. Another trick that works is to make sure to study your more challenging subjects at least a little bit every night. That way you won’t get overwhelmed when classes get more intense and assignments start to pile up. Remember that September may start out slow and easy but by mid-month many teachers will be cranking out the assignments and projects.
Where you study can also make a big difference. Many students find it helpful to have a dedicated space for homework. Hint: this may not be your bedroom. It doesn’t need to be big or fancy, just a space or corner away from any distractions with all your materials and supplies close at hand. A dedicated homework space that you return to every day can train your brain into thinking—this is study time. When you have all your supplies close at hand you are less likely to get up and get sidetracked.
Finally, have fun! Consider taking a class or extracurricular activity that’s not “you.” You never know what you might unlock! If you are struggling of falling behind in a certain class don’t wait too long to ask for help. Here at Tutor Delphia, we offer tutoring in all subject areas. Contact us today to see how we can put you in the right path!