Expectations rise in high school. Delays, procrastination and laziness are no longer tolerated. Teachers expect a lot more from their students than before, and so do parents and friends. Things get hectic in no time. The key to staying on top is to stay organized.
Steps
Step 1. Get and use an agenda
The agenda is an indispensable tool in high school. Homework, doctor's appointments, club meetings, sports training, parties and much more can be noted on its pages.
The ideal agenda is clean and organized, and provides you with a quick and easy way to check the time and tasks of the day, week and month. Some schools provide or sell agents (which usually contain useful information about the school itself), and in many institutions it is necessary to have one. Even if you don't pass school, buy one on your own, it's a valuable tool for any student. Look for one with a weekly format and a good overview of the month, because they are the best so you can always know what will happen within a few weeks or a month. Also, look for one small enough to fit in your backpack to carry around, and large enough to write appointments and homework on
Step 2. Write your commitments on the agenda so as not to forget them
Now that you have your agenda, use it! The agenda is a tool, it must be used efficiently. If you have a commitment or homework to do, mark it on your diary. Consult the agenda every evening to find out if any event is planned in the near future or to find out what homework you need to do, and every morning to remember what awaits you during the day and if you have any activities to complete. As you get used to using your diary, you will understand how indispensable it is and you will start consulting it more often.
Step 3. Get some binders so you can put photocopies of each subject in them
Don't just stick them into the textbook. You will need to keep everything under control so that you can check grades with teachers and pass your classwork as best you can. There are different types of binders, you can choose between:
- Plastic binders: these are plastic card binders that contain various folders in which photocopies can be inserted and which can be divided into sections. These binders are very light and compact, and by putting the name of the materials on each section you can keep all the material properly separated and at the same time in one place. In this way, if it suddenly occurs to you that you had to deliver a photocopy, you will have it at hand and you will not despair over having left it at home.
- Folders or binders for each subject: This option provides much more storage space, but it can be difficult to keep so many binders. Get them in different colors, one for each material, and label them clearly. Avoid putting photocopies in binder folders, instead try to carry a tool with you to make holes in the pages.
- Binder folders: For subjects where many photocopies are provided and not many notes are collected, this is the best system. If you have a ring binder you can use the folders to keep the subject sheets inside. Having an extra folder is always useful, it can always happen that they fill up excessively.
Step 4. Get a different notebook by subject
Even if it seems a good idea to use a single notebook for five subjects, because you believe you will not forget anything, remember that you will always have to carry the notes of five subjects with you even when you would only need those of one. You would end up telling the teacher that you have lost your homework, when in reality you have only lost them in your giant notebook. The best is to use a notebook for each subject. If you don't want to use many, at least use two or three for specific subjects.
Step 5. Organize your backpack well
It is impossible to be organized when the backpack is full of chewing gum papers and scattered papers. Clean up! Take out all the trash and put the rest away. Get a bag that is roomy and has lots of pockets. Keep all unnecessary stuff at home. Get in the habit of putting things back in an orderly manner, and your backpack will be grateful to you.
Step 6. Establish a home study area
Nobody wants to spend more time than necessary doing their homework, but without doing it you spend a lot of time just getting all the materials. Find a place at home where you feel comfortable and where there are no external distractions from your family. A good idea is to get yourself a desk and place it in your room, as long as you feel its contents don't distract you. You can even get yourself a board that you can get on your lap to study on the bed, as long as you don't fall asleep! Make sure there are bookshelves and drawers where you can put all the necessary school supplies. Keep the environment clean and tidy, so that it is an inviting place to work, or a little messy, if you need to let the creative flow flow.
Step 7. Develop good habits
Set a routine to keep yourself organized. Set a schedule for homework each day, and put your backpack away when you're done. Pack everything you'll need for the next day in your backpack the night before, and pack extra clothing and supplies in advance. Consult your agenda often, and check, maintain and modify your organization system when necessary. Organized people often update their systems to adapt to new situations, and you should too. Try to be on time for class and take the time to put the right books in your backpack. Be efficient and punctual, and try not to waste time and regret it later. With a little practice, you will be ready to break through!
Advice
- Use a pencil case or pen holder to keep your minute school supplies organized: calculator, writing tools, eraser, highlighter, etc. This pen holder needs to be organized too! It is important to keep everything in order in order to find everything easily.
- Take short breaks of 5-10 minutes every hour to clear your mind and avoid stressing yourself. If you feel that you are getting a headache, drink a glass of water and take a break.
- If you start feeling sleepy while doing your homework, drink a glass of cool water. It will help you feel awake.
- Eat something before you start doing your homework. This way you will have energy reserves to be able to move forward. Bring something to eat to school if you can't get breakfast.
- Make sure you sleep well and long at night. Trying to pass a class test in the morning with only four or five hours of sleep on your back is not a good idea. Have breakfast in the morning. If you don't like having breakfast, bring a snack that you can eat before classes start. Studies show that those who eat breakfast before school get better grades than those who don't.
- Keep any photocopies, class assignments, projects, etc. Don't throw away any notebooks, you may need them in the future. Keep them in a box or somewhere that you can easily access.
- Use techniques that make you feel comfortable. Every person is different, what works for someone may not work for you. However the changes can be positive, so try something new, you might be surprised how it works on you.
- Similarly, if there is something that doesn't work, don't reject it without restraint. Try to assimilate the system and adapt it to your lifestyle.
- If a folder or notebook is about to break or is too full, tidy it up. Then decide if it is worth investing some money in a new product or if you just need a little adhesive tape.
- If your folders or binders are full, buy a nice large folder and put all the old papers in it so you can retrieve them if necessary.
Warnings
- Don't be unfriendly and erratic, or you could go back to your messy habits. Try to avoid this by continuing to use your diary and following your organization system even after school.
- The teachers are the ones who make the rules, so better play on their terms. If a teacher insists on having a certain organizational system for the whole class, you can try to dissuade him, but it probably won't work. Some teachers claim to check the notebooks and base part of the students' votes on their organizational skills and the order of their binders.
