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• How to Become Organized …………………………….. Page 1
  

• How to Study Effectively ………………………….. Page 1
  

• Caring for Health & Wellness …………………….. Page 1
  

College & Career Readiness Page

A student’s organizational skills are what set them apart from their classmates.

The act of being organized allows for clarity when it comes to balancing deadlines and activities. Being less stressed and more productive can be a direct result of being organized, with the development of a healthy work-life balance being the end goal. You don’t need to aim to be valedictorian, but you can be confident and just as overachieving through these healthy practices!

Here is how you can improve upon your work-life relationship:

A student’s ability to study effectively can ALSO set them apart from their classmates.

Learning AND memorizing material can be done by understanding how best to study, resulting in an increase in academic performance. Mastering this skill could lead to stress reduction, self-efficacy, higher grades, and simply enjoying the learning process.

Here is how you can improve upon your work-life relationship:

1. Utilize Study Methods / Mnemonic Devices

1. While different methods may work for different people, these forms of learning prove most useful:
   
1. The 5/20 rule - Set a timer on your phone for 20 minutes and then place it out of reach. Focus on the task/study session at hand for the entirety of those 20 minutes. Then, once the timer goes up, take a break for 5 minutes- get up and walk around, drive some water/have a snack, or scroll on socials, etc. You can change this rule according to your attention span- if you can sit for long periods, switch from 5/20 to 10/45 (10 minutes of rest and 45 minutes of working).
   
2. Reteach - After you’ve gained an understanding of the material you’ve learned, consider introducing the concept to someone else. When we teach others, it’s not only easier to memorize the material, but you’ll be able to learn of your strengths/weaknesses in the concept.
   
3. Studying Assets - When taking notes (in person or online), utilizing acronyms, visual aids, and associating one thing with another is a great way to both memorize and further understanding.
   
4. Notetaking: Look up ‘Cornell Notes’ and imitate this form of practical, organized notetaking.
   

2. Revisit Material

1. Dedicate a day/a few days a week to revisiting past material so you aren’t forgetting!
   
1. While a study method such as flashcards may be an excellent source of ‘spaced repetition’ (an important term), it may be hard to learn from your mistakes. Thus, keeping a Google document for tracking your studying process is recommended! Type the question/concept you got wrong, then type the correct answer under that. Then, explain how the answer you gave was wrong, and explain why the correct answer is right. This will give you effective insight into your strengths and weaknesses.
   
2. Remember that memorization ≠ understanding!
   

3. Utilize Technology / Your Resources

1. There are so many resources readily available to improve your way of studying and working.
   
1. Utilizing your school’s education platform (Google Classroom, Blackboard, Canva, Schoology, Pearson, etc.) can allow you extra practice and materials. Most teachers/professors provide links to the book from which they teach, the school year’s schedules, study guides, and more. If they don’t, simply ask for recommendations!
   
2. Additionally, there are free resources such as Khan Academy, Chatgpt and other AI resources, (when used responsibly- such as searching for synonyms or checking for errors), and YouTube (don’t underestimate the professors on there)!
   

4. Minimize distractions

1. It’s easy to become distracted while studying. Thus, we advise you to prepare your space in advance.
   
1. As stated, place your phone and other devices out of reach while studying. Be sure that your workspace is well-lit and comfortable, without anything that could be potentially distracting. If you find that home is not a good place to study, consider your nearest library, cafe, or school.
   
2. If you find yourself reaching for your phone or simply scrolling on any device, it's best to put a timer on apps that may be addicting/distracting. You can often find these features in your device’s settings application, then click on the ‘screen time’ category or something similar.

5. Stay Organized:

1. Keep your study materials/resources organized to reduce clutter and streamline your study sessions.
   
1. Create folders to organize your different subjects and tasks! Some browsers allow you to create one with different tabs, and some allow you to create folders on the device’s home screen. Regardless, be smart about how you complete tasks/study!
   

A student’s mental and physical health both influence and impact a student’s academic standing.

Discontentment with oneself or the situation they’re in outside of the classroom can heavily affect their schoolwork, relationships, and overall well-being. To allow students to grow into the best versions of themselves, they need to learn how to respect themselves both physically and mentally. Healthy practices could enhance focus, prevent illnesses, increase productivity and vitality, reduce stress, practice self-care, and improve mood and emotions.

Here is how you can improve upon your work-life relationship:

1. Be Confident in Your Individuality

1. Upon accepting yourself for who you are, the possibilities are limitless!
   
1. It’s easy for students to compare themselves to others and be ashamed of the qualities they possess (can be physically, academically, etc.). However, when you adopt a ‘growth mindset’ (an important term!), you’re allowing room for resilience, positive relationships, leadership potential, and shameless self-expression. We encourage all students to research and embrace a grown mindset, as well as practice healthy affirmations (write them down!) to develop authentic confidence in both their abilities and physical attributes. You receive what you put in both an academic and mental context, so believe in yourself!
   

2. Developing Motivation:

1. The truth about motivation is that it’s not always present- we aren’t truly motivated 24/7.
   
1. However, there are so many different ways to become inspired! Alongside fostering a growth mindset and setting goals consistently (as we highly suggested), celebrate your accomplishments and goal achievements! Creating and enforcing intrinsic rewards, and visualizing your success (perhaps by making a vision board) can be vital forms of motivation. Additionally, seeking inspiration from other people’s stories/lives (in a healthy way) or forms of media (written, drawn/painted, visual, etc.) can be highly motivational.
   

3. Everyday Health:

1. Prioritize Sleep:
   
1. Aim for 7.5-9 hours of quality sleep per night to support cognitive function, mood, and overall health. Track the REM cycles you’d be able to complete before going to bed, as it’ll determine if you’ll feel refreshed or sleepy the next day. (The goal is to wake up at the end of a REM Cycle, which lasts 1h & 30 mins.)
   
2. A rule of sleep-loss is that ‘your body will make time for you.’ If you go to sleep at 2 am and wake up early daily, your body will force you to comply- making you extremely drowsy during the day upon other effects. A healthy sleep schedule is just as important as your education!!

1. Eat Nutritious Meals:
   
1. Fuel your body with balanced meals that include a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Try your best to meal prep (try and talk to your parents to help) and stay away from constant consumption of processed/unhealthy foods. Also, understand that sugar or citrus-related foods/drinks before bed could cause excessive brain activity, influencing your ability to sleep, etc.
   

1. Exercise Regularly:
   
1. Incorporate regular physical activity into your routine to improve mood, concentration, and overall health. Even if it's a 10-minute walk around the neighborhood or yoga as soon as you wake up- your physical health is very important!
   

4. Practice Stress Management:

1. Use stress-relief techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or hobbies to manage stress and promote relaxation.
   
1. To cope with tough situations, put your thoughts and emotions into a journal or piece of work as opposed to projecting them in unhealthy ways. Utilizing breathing methods and practicing level-headedness no matter the circumstance is exceptionally useful as well. Additionally, take constructive criticism as an opportunity. Learn from your lessons!
   
2. It is also best to be aware of how you present yourself both mentally and to other people. Fostering the term ‘emotional intelligence’ does just that- allowing those who adopt the quality to understand how they express themselves and how they impact others.

5. Seek Help When Needed:

1. Don't ever hesitate to ask teachers, classmates, or tutors for help if you're struggling with a particular subject or concept.
   
1. More often than not, people will be happy to help you! Seek support from trusted adults or professionals for mental or physical health concerns. If you notice a pattern of negative habits (which can be either physical or mental), consult someone! You’re never alone.