5 Back to School Study Tips to Stay on Top of Your Schoolwork All Year
Simple habits to set up before the first day of school so you start strong and stay organised.
August 1, 2023 · By Arushi Dubey
As summer comes to an end and the new school year approaches, it is important to make sure you are prepared for the first day of school, whether that is mentally, physically or both. Getting ready before the year even starts is sure to set you up for success and help you achieve the grades you want. Below are a few tips I have curated to help you have a productive academic year, whether you are at school in Dubai or anywhere else in the world.
Prepare Yourself Beforehand
Start planning before the year actually begins. A couple of weeks before the first day of school is a good time to start back to school shopping, whether that is for uniform or stationery. Leaving critical things like these to the last minute is likely to be stressful, and may even result in you not having all your school supplies. Having enough writing material and school stationery is essential to your academic success, as it allows you to work at your full productive potential from the moment you start learning. A lack of equipment can drag down the beginning of your school year, which is far from ideal because it is critical to start off strong.
Create a Study Routine or Schedule
During the last few weeks of the summer holidays, sketch out a rough routine for term time. This could involve deciding on set time slots that you dedicate to homework and projects, and, just as importantly, deciding when you are going to have your leisure time during the school week. It may seem like a small thing to do, but I can guarantee it will keep you organised and reduce your stress levels immensely. You can build the routine online on a website such as Canva, or simply write it out yourself. Lastly, do not put too much pressure on yourself to follow the exact routine you decided on beforehand. Circumstances change throughout the year, and it is completely okay to make adjustments or come up with a completely new routine every so often.
Don't Procrastinate
This is one of the most critical ways you can stay on top of your schoolwork. Doing your homework and projects as soon as you get them is ideal. If that is not possible, try to finish them within three days of when they were assigned. Doing so stops schoolwork from piling up, and avoiding that pile-up is something every student should aim for. As homework builds up, you have more and more to do, which not only eats into your leisure time but can even take away from revision time when exam season arrives.
Set a Fixed Sleep Time
I cannot emphasise enough how important a good sleep schedule is. Sleeping at a decent time matters for your mental and physical growth, and it stops you from feeling groggy on early school mornings. Getting enough rest gives you the chance to be fully alert during school and take in as much knowledge as you can. You are also guaranteed to feel better and work more productively in lessons if you are focused on the class work, rather than forcing yourself to stay awake just to make it through the school day.
Take Notes During Class
Notes are your best friend. They save an immense amount of time and help you grasp harder topics easily. If you take detailed notes and put in the effort during the school day, you will not have to teach yourself anything or spend hours making notes when exam season comes around, which speeds up the whole revision process. You can simply revise from the class notes you already have, and go over anything you find difficult by watching a YouTube video, asking a teacher or tutor, or even asking a friend to help you out.
The Bottom Line
Staying on top of your schoolwork is far easier when the groundwork is laid before term begins. Sort your supplies early, build a flexible routine, tackle homework straight away, protect your sleep, and take proper notes in class. Small habits set up now will carry you through the whole academic year. And if you feel you need a little extra help along the way, you can always request a tutor or work with an online tutor anywhere in the UAE. Good luck!
Arushi Dubey
Student writer at Unitors, sharing study tips for school students across Dubai and the UAE.
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