Want To Be Successful This New School Year? Try These Daily Practices
As June begins and summer break ends, it’s that time of the year again — to get back to school, meet your friends and teachers, and welcome exciting new opportunities.
For you, this excitement might come with a side of nervousness, as you step into one of the most important years of your academic life.
If you’re wondering how to be a better student this year and achieve every goal you have set for yourself, then we have five words for you — One day at a time.
To succeed, always rely on daily systems that actually work instead of seeking motivation. Here’s how you can build your own routine that works like a well-oiled machine:
Set Up Your Study Space
It’s important to have a conducive learning environment to be at your productive best and stay organised at all times.
- Tidy your desk at the end of each day
- Keep the stationery and books you need handy
- Organise your study materials according to subject
- Write down your goals and display them on your wall
- Keep your schedule on your desk, wall, or whiteboard
- Have good lighting in your room
- Keep a comfortable chair
- Get rid of any distractions
- Add decor that makes you happy – plants, candles, posters
Tip: Carry a small notepad to write down quick reminders, ideas, or fleeting thoughts. Never assume that you will be able to remember everything; write it all down to stay organised.
Good organisation skills will help you succeed in school and will serve you well for the rest of your life.
Create a Weekly Schedule
When you have a lot to accomplish, try to stay one step ahead. Draw a rough timetable in your notebook or whiteboard. And, mark all the upcoming important tasks and events on every day of the week. This will help you keep a track of your school work, extracurricular activities, and social events.
Manage Your Time Efficiently
Time management is the best skill one can learn to ace school, college, and work. It means, being aware and taking action. Block a specific time for each activity on your schedule, and set reminders to begin and finish your tasks.
For example, set aside a couple of hours for assignments:
Monday & Tuesday: 5 PM – 7 PM
Wednesday & Thursday: 4 PM – 6 PM
Friday & Saturday: 6 PM – 8 PM
Now, you can avoid procrastination and stop worrying about other tasks, because you are aware of when and how you will complete them. It also helps to avoid distractions during your focus time.
- Turn off your notifications on your phone
- Keep your phone in another room while you study
- Only check social media during a designated time after you study
- Don’t have too many tabs open on your browser
- Find an accountability partner – a friend who can check on you
- Get rid of apps that don’t serve you
Be Consistent With Your Studies
A vital part of your day must be to review and summarise the concepts you learned in class. This will help you to commit information to your long-term memory and also prepare you for the next day’s classes. Ensure that you practise a few extra questions from your textbook or previous years’ question papers.
When you do consistent work daily, your exam prep becomes less stressful. You can make your study session easier by following practices that work for you —
- Study for 25 minutes, take a 5-minute break, and start again to maintain focus
- Don’t multitask – Finish one task before you move on to the next to avoid procrastination
- Prepare flashcards to use as visual aids to remember formulae or facts
- Give yourself a reward after achieving a goal to have something to look forward to
- Challenge yourself by taking quizzes and practising questions beyond your homework
Tip: Join a study group with your friends. Being around people who are also focused on their ambitions can help you stay motivated. Set aside one or two days a week to study together, compare notes, and resolve doubts.
Participate in Class
Take full advantage of the time you spend in school or in your tuition class. Make notes during every class as it helps you pay attention and remember concepts better. Notes also serve as great revision aids before your exam.
If you have any questions or doubts, ask your teachers, mentors, or peers. This will ensure that you understand the concept thoroughly and also engage in class.
Ask your teacher for feedback to understand the areas in which you need to improve. Don’t be afraid to participate in class because all your teachers want you to succeed and they would be more than happy to help you.
Make Time for Extracurricular Activities
Allocating some time for sports or hobbies is an important part of student life. It enables holistic development while also teaching you important life skills. Spend an hour after school playing with your friends, or sign up for creative clubs.
You can join art, music, or sports classes during the weekend to hone your skills. Participating in extracurricular activities not only helps you expand your horizons, but also looks great on your resume or college application. Make sure you include this activity in your weekly schedule so that you don’t skip it.
Sleep, Eat, Exercise, and Unwind
Taking care of your mental and physical well-being is very important. Give your mind and body a boost by eating nutritious meals on time, exercising for at least 30 minutes every morning, and getting 8 hours of sleep every night. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle improves your brain function and you can perform better at school.
While you’re focused on your studies, don’t forget to take time to unwind daily. This could mean, spending time with your loved ones, reading a good book, watching your favourite show, or taking a walk in the park. Take a break to rejuvenate your mind and also take care of your mental health
Remember, if you’re feeling stressed or anxious, seek guidance from someone you trust or talk to a mental health professional.
Believe in Yourself!
Self-belief is a powerful motivator. But, when you have a daily plan in motion, you are already on the road to success. Remember to stay consistent, celebrate your wins, and learn from your mistakes. If you fail, there is always a new day around the corner with another chance to try again.
Are you ready to try your best to achieve your goals this year? Tell us in the comments below which practices you will follow every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How to start a good school year?
Rewind and evaluate your goals when starting a new school year.Cherish this chance for a fresh start and follow your path of success.
2. What does success look like in school?
Success amongst students can be subjective; for example, some students feel success implies good grades whereas, others may feel growth of a person determines success. Growth in scholastic and non-scholastic activities can be perceived as success in school too.
3. How do you set goals for a new school year?
Think about what interests you and what new you’d like to explore in the school year. Write down clear and measurable goals to get working towards it.
4. What do good yearly goals look like?
Good yearly goals tend to be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound or SMART. Good yearly goals motivate you to work towards achieving important goals as you work through them.
5. What can be some good goals for the school year?
While setting goals for the school year, remember that they should contribute towards your growth and progress. Examples of a good goal could be focusing on learning, creating balance between study, health and well-being.