As the school year winds down, so do we! Here are 15 tips to finish the year strong. School can be especially stressful and difficult as we get closer to the end of the year. Sometimes, we can slack off on completing work and studying enough. Even if you’re not a senior, you can still get a pretty bad case of “senioritis.” Hopefully, these tips will help you improve your academic performance, and help you make the best of the rest of this school year.

1. Refocus your energy on the things that matter the most. Don’t get easily distracted by things that are irrelevant or superficial in the long run, but still find time to relax and enjoy life, just in moderation.
2. Reassess previous assignments in order to understand what went wrong and to prepare for future quizzes and tests.
3. Create a schedule for yourself, plan out time requirements in order to complete every assignment. Try to stick to your schedule, making adjustments, and taking enough time to study.
4. Get help if you need it. Many teachers are happy to help their students and aid them in improving overall. As well, fellow students can help explain things in ways that make more sense. Study groups are useful too. They can be very effective before big tests or exams.
5. Reorganize assignments, notes, projects, and quizzes/tests. This will make it easier to find what you’re looking for later.
6. Take short breaks while studying and working on assignments, which helps to maintain focus.
7. Try to get as much sleep as possible, so you can start each day focused, alert, and ready to learn.
8. Create a study environment that is distraction-free, stocked with supplies, and quiet, so it is easy to concentrate.
9. During any assessments, make sure to relax and breathe if you have any anxiety, and attempt to answer every question to the best of your ability. If you don’t know something or if you are spending too much time on a specific problem, come back to it later.
10. Prepare any items and things that you need for school the day before. That way, you can start the day organized and stress-free.
11. Eat a healthy breakfast and snacks each day to make sure you have enough energy to fulfill your full potential.
12. Start projects and essays many days in advance, again planning your time wisely, so they can be completed on time, thoroughly and effectively.
13. Forgive yourself for anything that you feel you’ve done wrong. It’s best to move on and start fresh in a new direction with an open mind.
14. Commit to everything you set your mind to. Believe that you can achieve the best for yourself and go on from there.
15. Remember to sit back once and a while and reflect on all of the accomplishments and good things that have happened, both school-related and not.

Citations:

Shand, Kim. “5 Tips to Finish Your Year Strong.” MindBodyGreen. N.p., 28 Aug. 2012. Web. 25 Apr. 2014.

Smith Luedtke, Heidi. “Finish the School Year Strong.” MetroKids.com. Rivista, 2013. Web. 25 Apr. 2014.

“Test Anxiety Introduction.” Test Anxiety Tips. N.p., 2013. Web. 25 Apr. 2014.