If you do most of your school work online, you might prefer using the calendar app on your device to track your assignments. Your school might also have an online assignment manager you can use. You’ll feel more confident in class if you always remember when your assignments are due! You can include fun dates that you want to remember in your planner, like birthdays and holidays.
For instance, you might have one section for English, one for math, one for science, and one for history. If you just stuff papers in your backpack after class, they’re probably going to get wrinkled and disorganized. That could mean you forget to turn in an important assignment, or you might lose a permission slip that you need your parents to sign. Even if you’re doing most of your schoolwork remotely, you’ll likely have to print out things like notes and worksheets, so a binder will still be helpful.
Try keeping all of your writing supplies in a small case or bag. That way, if you lose a pencil or your pen runs out of ink, it will be easy to grab a replacement. Be sure to double-check that you have the right supplies before the start of each class. For instance, you might keep all of your books in your locker, then swap them out between classes. It might help to color-coordinate the supplies you need for each class. For instance, you might use a red book cover on your math book, then put a red sticker on your math notebook and any supplies you might need for that class. [4] X Research source
To get an extra jump on the next day, you can even take a moment to pick out what you’re going to wear when you wake up the next morning! Being prepared for class every day will make it easier to focus on your lessons, rather than what you’re missing. This could eventually help you improve your grades!
For instance, you might take a few minutes every Friday after school to go through your papers and toss out the ones you don’t need. That way, you’ll have a fresh start when you go back to school the next Monday. Recycle anything you’re sure you won’t need again, like notes that you already copied or a scrap sheet of paper you used for a math problem. If you’re not sure whether you’ll need a paper again, keep it to be on the safe side—it might come in handy when you’re studying for a test. You could also ask your teacher whether it’s something you’ll need again.
If you do have to miss a day of school, check whether you can do your schoolwork remotely that day. If that’s not an option, talk to your teacher about how you can make up the work that you missed. Although it’s very important to be present at school as much as possible, stay home if you have fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or any other signs of a contagious illness. [8] X Research source
If you have a hard time staying focused when you’re in class, try sitting in a desk near the front, where it might be easier to avoid getting distracted by your classmates. If you’re struggling to focus during remote learning, try changing up your study area to help block out anything that might distract you. You might also use an app on your tablet or phone that will block out things like texts or social media notifications. It’s okay if your thoughts drift once in awhile during class—that happens to everyone! Just try to go back to paying attention as soon as you notice it happening.
Unless they are busy, make eye contact and say hello to your teacher when you enter the classroom. When class is over, say goodbye. If you’re doing mostly remote learning, send an email introducing yourself at the start of the semester, and try to participate in as many getting-to-know-you assignments as possible. Many teachers really love the chance to get to know their students better, so don’t be afraid to talk to them!
If you’re shy, you might feel a little intimidated to speak up in class. Just try to push through that feeling, though—it will get easier with practice. Remember to listen respectfully when your classmates or the teacher are talking. In some cases, participation actually counts toward your final grade in the class!
If you have any questions during class, write them in your notes, along with the answer when you figure it out. If your teacher repeats a word or phrase, it’s probably important. Write it down. Taking good notes will make it a lot easier to study for your tests!
Asking questions in class is helpful if you’re mostly following along, but you got a little confused on one part of the lesson. Try talking to your teacher after class if you usually do well in that subject, but you feel like you’re starting to get left behind. You can also email your teacher if staying after class isn’t a good option. A one-on-one tutor can be helpful if you feel like you’re way behind your classmates.
If you have a dedicated study space, like a desk in your room, try personalizing it by adding pictures of your friends, hanging posters on the wall, or displaying small objects that make you smile. You can even write down phrases to motivate yourself, like “Don’t give up!” or “You can do it!” Just be sure not to include anything that will distract you too much. Pick a quiet area away from other people, if you can. If that’s not possible, ask your family members to give you some quiet time when you need to be studying.
Think about the times of day you tend to focus best. If you come home from school full of energy, that might be a great time to study. On the other hand, if you come home exhausted and perk up after dinner, you might do better studying in the evenings. [13] X Research source Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that homework isn’t that important—it can sometimes account for a really big portion of your final grade in a class. Not only that, but doing your homework each day will help lock in whatever you learned in class that day, which can help you on your final exams. [14] X Research source
In addition, it can help keep you from feeling burned out and overwhelmed.
Try re-writing your notes neatly so they’ll be easy to read. In addition, you can add in any clarifying details, questions you still have, or diagrams that might help you understand the topic when you’re studying later.
For instance, if you need to learn 20 words in Spanish by the end of the week, you might break it into 4 sections of 5 words each. You could then study a new group of words each night. Just remember to go back over the sections you already studied so you don’t forget them. For a big exam, break up the material you need to study and write a study schedule. Try to study 20–45 minutes a day over the course of a few weeks.
For a big paper, for instance, you may need to research at the library on one day, write an outline another day, and then spend an hour or two every day for the rest of the week writing the rough draft and the final draft. This can help keep you from feeling overwhelmed with a large project. In addition, it will keep you from having to rush to get it finished at the last minute.
Join an after-school club in something you really like for an easy way to meet people who share your interests. Try talking to the people you sit next to in class before and after the bell rings. Even just saying hi and smiling can make you seem friendly and warm. Making friends can be hard sometimes, so don’t beat yourself up if it doesn’t happen right away. Just keep being nice to people and take good care of yourself. If you do that, chances are good that you’ll find some like-minded friends sooner or later.
Try signing up for team sports, dance, or track if you’re athletic. Even if you don’t think of yourself as being coordinated or strong, you’ll still benefit from getting up and moving for at least 30 minutes every day. If you’re trying to study and you can’t concentrate, try taking a brisk walk, do some jumping jacks, or bust out your favorite dance moves!
You might not always be able to pick your own meals when you’re in middle school, but do try to make healthy choices when you have an option. For instance, if you’re getting a drink from a vending machine, you might get a bottle of water instead of soda.
If you’re a preteen, you need 10–12 hours of sleep every night. If you’re a teenager, you need between 8 1/2 and 9 1/2hours of sleep each night. [21] X Research source Don’t try to stay up all night cramming for a test. Your brain needs sleep to process what you’ve been studying. [22] X Trustworthy Source American Psychological Association Leading scientific and professional organization of licensed psychologists Go to source Try not to take a nap after school—that can make it harder to sleep at night. [23] X Research source
