Come to
Class Prepared
Becca Bowen
Some
people set new years resolutions in January but September seems more like the
new year to me since I have always been in school as a student or worked in a
school. With back to school shopping there is a chance to get a new outfit or
two or to make a bigger change in my style with a different hairstyle. I love
getting new stuff! Remember the joy of working with a full box of unbroken
crayons? Fall is also a time when I am eager to clear out my closets to make
room for the new and to think about setting goals for the year ahead. My
biggest goal for this year is add more structure to my routine, to be more
organized, basically, to come to class prepared.
A little advanced preparation can save a lot of stress later. Here are
some tips to help you prepare for a less stressful school year.
- Write it down. Buy a student planner,
calendar, or palm pilot to keep track of due dates. Be sure to pencil in
study time and early work time for long-term projects.
- Organize your space. Clean out the closets,
clear off the desk, and make room for all that hard work you need to do!
A distraction free environment can be essential to getting your work
done efficiently. Try to arrange a space that is private so you don't
have to try to study at the dining room table while your mom is cooking
dinner and your little brother is blowing up aliens in the next room.
- Gather your tools. Collect everything you need
before you start your work so you don't waste time looking for scratch
paper when you get to problem #5.
- Plan ahead. Set your stuff out the
night before to minimize stress. Don't miss the bus looking for the
perfect top to wear or end up at volleyball practice with only one knee
pad.