Though it’s still nearing ninety degrees outside, a school bell can be heard ringing in the distance. The summer months are coming to an end, and school is nearly back in session. But what if your mind still feels like it’s on vacation? Here are a few things you can implement into your routine to make your transition into school a bit smoother.
Reset your sleep schedule
The most important thing to do to get your mind ready to learn new things is sleep. In order to get good sleep, it's necessary to create an effective sleep schedule. Getting eight hours of sleep is essential to let your mind and body rest. Without it, you may be too tired to concentrate on new lessons and will miss important information. Sleep is how our body turns new information into long term memories, which is essential for retaining knowledge and acing your next test. A lot of us are guilty of sleeping in and going to bed later over the summer, but we know this routine doesn’t work with school hours. My best advice is to start adjusting your schedule before school starts. Figure out what time you need to wake up for school, then try to go to bed eight hours before that. Consistency is key, so try to do this every week day. It helps to have a routine prior to bedtime, like reading or stretching to let your body know that it’s time to fall asleep. Check out this sleep hygiene worksheet for extra help creating a good routine!
2. Gather your school supplies
Another important element to getting back into a routine is making sure you have everything you need to be successful in school. This means making sure you have the right books, enough pencils, a planner, and other essentials! Most schools have a list of supplies that students will need for the upcoming year, but if you don't have one you can always reach out to your school administrator or look up recommended school supplies for your grade to get an idea of what you will need. Stores like Staples or Target will have back to school sales starting in late August, so be sure to catch those deals while supplies last!
3. Plan your schedule to stay on track
Once you have everything you need, it’s important to plan out your schedule. I’m a big fan of using the Google Calendar app on my phone, but a physical planner works as well! The second I get the syllabus for class I add all the dates of major exams to my calendar with reminders about them starting the week before. This gives me a better idea of what to study and how to plan my free time. It’s also immensely satisfying to cross things off your list once you have completed them!
4. Fuel your brain to stay focused
Food is another essential element to school success. This may mean something different to everyone, but it is very important to give your body the nutrients it needs in order to function properly! Nutrition (aka food) has a direct impact on brain development and function. Try to pick whole foods like fruits and vegetables, and go for more nutrient dense snacks like protein bars, nuts/nut butters, eggs and yogurt with fruit to name a few examples. Make sure you have enough food with you in order to stay energized throughout the day. If you need any help getting the nutrition you need, check out our website for food, water, and shelter options. Food is fuel, and your mind will need more energy when it’s learning new things!
5. Seek help and utilize tutoring for academic success
So far we’ve discussed elements outside of studying to help you get back into a school routine, but it’s important to feel comfortable with the material you’re learning as well. If you have questions about the material in class, always ask your teacher to clarify the information. If you are uncomfortable raising your hand or answering questions in class, start by asking questions (practice makes perfect!). Additionally, a great supplement to your in class learning is working with a tutor, regardless of your current school grade. RISE Philadelphia is an organization that offers free, virtual, tutoring to K-12 students for all major school subjects in addition to college preparation and planning. If you or your child is interested in getting academic support, sign up to be assigned a tutor here.
Hopefully these tips help to make the transition a bit easier. It’s hard to give up those summer months, but school is a great place to learn new things and grow as a person. Good luck and have a great school year!
Jade McNulty
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
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