12 Organizational and Time Management Tips for High School Students
1. Use your school planner to stay organized. Fill in things you must do (classes, work, practice, etc. that you can't change). Write down appointments and class assignments.
Make a daily checklist. Set priorities. Do the most important tasks first.
2. Set achievable goals when you set goal that are unrealistic it sets you up for failure. You want to aim to set goals that are difficult, yet are achievable.
3. Organize some key areas in your life, for example your bedroom, study area, car and locker. By organizing these key areas it will improve your ability to stay on schedule
and stay focused during your hectic schedule. You will avoid the must frustrating
situation like looking for an assignment that is due and you have no idea if its in your
locker piled high with papers, the car that hasn’t been cleaned for a who know how long,
or your bedroom that looks like an atomic bomb hit it! Being unorganized will cause
problems in nearly every area of your life and developing the skill of organization will
immensely improve your ability to become successful at whatever you pursue.
4. Schedule the most difficult tasks for times when you are alert. Geometry, for example may be hard enough when you're fresh. When you're tired, it will be impossible!
5. Establish a regular time and place for study. Utilize this space to study during the day if possible.
6. If you have a study hall during school utilize it. Focus on your assignments and to do list in your planner.
7. Use daylight hours to study whenever possible. For most students for every hour of study done in daylight hours, it will take them one and a half hours to do the same task at
night. Study during the day especially during study halls.
8. By using flash cards, summary sheets or your notes, you can use short periods to study on your spare time while you're waiting for class to start or for a friend to pick you up.
9. Take study breaks. Do not schedule a night before test cram session. Several short 50 minutes sessions are more affective than one long session.
10. Review Your Notes Every Day. You'll reinforce what you've learned, so you need
less time to study. You'll also be ready if your teacher calls on you or gives a pop quiz.
11. Prepare and organize whatever possible the night before. A few examples would be to pack your book bag and lay out what you intend to wear the next day.
12. Get a Good Night's Sleep. Running on empty makes your days seem longer and your tasks seem more difficult.
The following suggestions
will help you improve your study skills
SET UP A SCHEDULE. For classes that are harder, make sure you give yourself more time to study or do homework. Also make time for recreation and social activities; they are just as important as your grades.
START STUDYING FOR 10-15 MINUTES AT A TIME AND THEN BUILD UP TO LONGER PERIODS OF TIME. Start reading/studying for 10-15 minutes. Then build on that by 10 minutes once you become comfortable studying for at least an hour at a time. So work hard, but be realistic. If you can no longer concentrate or remember what you have read, stop. Do not waste valuable time.
REWARD YOURSELF. Reward yourself for studying, learning a difficult topic, or completing a project. Go to a movie, spend time with your friends, or do the things you put off in order to study. You are more likely to study again and concentrate if you know there is a reward at the end of completing a task.
FIND A GOOD LOCATION. Where you study can determine how much concentrate. Make sure the place is comfortable, but not too comfortable. Sitting at a desk or table is best. Avoid lying across the bed. You want to try to study in the same type of situation that you will be testing. This helps with remembering the things you studied for the test.
USE THE SAME PLACE FOR STUDYING. This will help you with your memory when it is time for a test. It will also help you to concentrate better, because you will be in a routine or habit of studying in the same place.
MAKE SURE IT IS A QUIET PLACE. Having a quiet place to study is also important. Playing your favorite CD, or radio station, or even the TV will get in the way of you concentrating on your studies.
ELIMINATE THE OBVIOUS DISTRACTIONS. Talking on the telephone is a major distraction when you are trying to study. Other distractions that you should look out for are the radio, TV, video games, family talking around your study area. Even seeing your books for another class can distract you. So put them away until you are ready to study for the next class. Once you get rid of, as many distractions as you can you will improve you study skills.
EMOTIONAL MOODS. Try studying in a similar emotional mood you have during a test. This also increases your memory during testing. When you are too relaxed during studying it does not match the same level of emotions as when testing. This also works in reverse. If you are too psyched-up or tensed during your test, you will not be able to remember what you studied. This is why it is important that you learn to calm yourself down during tests.