Easy steps to academic goals

1. Plan your time: Make a homework and study schedule so that you don’t forget to do assignments and you don’t have to do last-minute, all-night cramming sessions. Staying on top of your work is your ticket to success in school.

2. Create your own work space: Find a good space for studying and doing homework. This should be a quiet, comfortable place you can go to every day. It should be well lit and free from the endless traffic of other family members. This space should also be free from distractions like your computer.

3. Have a desk or table dedicated solely for your homework: Your work space should be a place where you can leave your papers and book at all times. It is not ideal to have a space where you have to remove your books and supplies and set up again every time you need to study. Make sure your study corner has a fan.

4. Have all of your supplies — pencils, pens, erasers, notebooks, rulers, calculator etc — ready before you start studying: If you don’t have all your supplies in place, you risk the temptation of procrastination, that state of mind where you are jumping up every minute to do something just to avoid the unpleasant task of settling and starting your work.

5. Keep hydrated: Have a glass or bottle of water available before you sit down to study. Your brain uses a lot of water when you study. If you keep hydrated, you’ll study better. If you have your water at your study desk, you won’t be tempted to use the excuse to get water so that you can avoid studying.

6. Cut off all contact during your designated study time: Inform your family and friends that you are unavailable during the time that you set aside for studying. This means no texting, tweeting or checking phone messages.

Don’t take phone calls. As a matter of fact, shut off your cell phone.

7. Organise study sessions with your friends: A well thought-out study group can serve two purposes because it can provide social contact while learning new material. This is not an excuse to lime, but it is a new and innovative way to learn. Your peers’ discussions can help you understand work on a whole new level.

8. Keep moving: You need to take up a sport or do exercise for an hour a day so that you can destress before studying. Exercise will keep you healthier, and less stress means that you can concentrate better and longer. Also, you will need less sleep when you exercise. Make sure you get at least seven hours of sleep a night.

9. Eat healthy: Good nutrition with complex carbohydates, lots of fruit and vegetables helps you to stay healthy and concentrate better. Avoid sugar and empty carbs that make you feel tired and sluggish after the initial kick to your blood sugar.

10. Read every night: Reading is a relaxing way to end your day.

It helps you to escape, and it helps you to build the comprehension and analytical skills you need to succeed in school. If you follow a plan, I guarantee you’ll have a great, productive school year.

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