Flickr user Devon Christopher Adams
Whether you are a freshman or a senior who is already counting down the days until graduation, the beginning of the school year can be hectic, but you want to start off on the right foot!
We’ve compiled 10 good habits to help you start your high school year off right.
Get Enough Sleep
Bragging about the late nights and all-nighters make for great party stories but they can wreak havoc on everything else, from your health to your academics. Getting enough sleep means you will not only make it to school on time but that you will also have time for breakfast and find it easier to stay awake and focused during classes.
Eat a Good Breakfast
Student athletes and body-builders aren’t the only ones who can tout the benefits of a good breakfast. Several studies have shown that having a good breakfast is the single best way to start the day. Everyone should eat as soon as they can upon waking. Ideally, you should have a full breakfast but even if you only manage to grab a hurriedly put together sandwich or some fruit on your way out the door in the morning, that’s better than rushing off on an empty stomach. You will need the energy to help you concentrate in classes. If you are still hungry when you get to school, swing by the cafeteria and pick up breakfast there as well.
Get Your Schedule Before the School Year Begins
In many districts, the master schedule for the entire school must be turned in and approved prior to the beginning of the new academic year. Visit your counselor’s office to look at your schedule, and make any changes as necessary. The sooner you know what your schedule is like, the more prepared you’ll be when the first semester begins.
Get Organized the Night Before
Those first few days are always the most intense for some people. This is especially true for freshmen, who need to get used to older students, more frequent class and room changes, and who may be dealing with more people than they are so far used to. Laying out your clothes the night before, making sure you have all your supplies ready near the door before you leave, and making sure you have everything you need before you leave your home will help reduce your anxiety levels in the mornings.
Set Notification Alarms
You can set an alarm to help keep you on schedule for important events such as Homecoming activities, practice sessions, tests, and even social events such as dances. Keeping track of important dates can keep you clear-headed and focused, and lower your stress levels considerably.
Focus On Your Academics
Set good study habits now so that when you get to college you’ll already be well-versed in how to study. Keeping your priorities in mind is important. Of course, it’s also important to learn how to balance school and extracurricular activities and your social life.
Get Help From Your Teachers and Counselors
Your teachers and counselors want you to succeed and are only too happy to help you any way they can, but only if you ask for assistance. If you are really struggling with a class, ask your teacher for help, or see if your school has a tutoring program you can join. It is easier to turn around a bad grading period than a bad semester, and it’s always easier to improve grades and study habits now rather than wait until the semester prior to graduation. When you need help – ask.
Refrain From Participating In Too Many Activities
Want to be on the student council? Great! Thinking of trying out for the team? Go for it! Cool clubs for cool kids after school? Awesome! Just don’t forget that school is still about academics, and if you don’t have good grades, you may not be able to join all these nifty activities. Don’t let a lousy first semester keep you from focusing on what you need to focus on – good study habits, good grades, and a good start to four years that matter more than some people may think they do, and that fly by before you know it.
Additionally, it’s ideal to focus on one or two extracurriculars rather than a large handful of them. Colleges like to see that you’re dedicated to something, rather than only being partially involved in a variety of activities.
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