It’s the first day of school, and your alarm buzzes at an hour that feels ungodly compared to your noon wake time during summer break. You roll out of bed, slap the alarm off, and try to remember how to tie your tie. Rushing out the door, you feel exhausted and yawn all the way to class. But, the thrill of sitting in your new classes, meeting teachers, and chatting with your friends keeps you afloat.
Let’s jump forward to one or two weeks later when things pick up. You find yourself caught in this cycle of fatigue and worry. Every day when the final bell rings, it seems like you have plenty of time to get everything done before going to sleep at a reasonable hour. However, this rarely is the truth. From extracurriculars, to piles of homework, quizzes and tests to study for, and the temptation of your phone, time flies. Before you know it, it’s almost midnight and you still have to study for that darn Latin quiz (I myself am guilty of this). You plop into bed when you finish and the cycle starts again the next morning. Here are some pro tips for freshmen transitioning to high school, and everyone else returning to school.
First, it’s super important to create a routine as early as you can into the school year to ensure you always manage your time wisely. You’d be surprised how much time gets wasted every time we grab our attention-sucking phones. You just wanted to check an email/text, but you fall down a rabbit hole and start surfing YouTube for two hours. Research has shown that creating and maintaining a routine calms our brains and improves efficiency. We end up spending less time trying to find stuff and getting started with important tasks when we have a routine.
Second, getting a good night’s sleep each day is essential to success in all aspects of your life. If there’s one thing you take away from this article, it should be this. The CDC says the golden number is 8-10 hours per night. I know this may sound unattainable to many, but if you make sleep your number one priority, meeting this daily recommendation will come naturally. Now, you may be wondering, Why is achieving this daily sleep quota so important? How can sleeping a lot help me excel in and out of the classroom? Well, studies have shown that a well-rested brain functions much better than a sleep-deprived brain. This is because while we sleep, our brain files and stores new information and disposes of toxic waste. Also, our bodies “repair cells, restore energy, and release molecules like hormones and proteins,” says Healthline Magazine. Not to scare you, but The Sleep Foundation warns us that when we’re sleep deprived, “the brain struggles to function properly, and neurons become overworked and less capable of optimal performance in various types of thinking.” Good sleep habits improve academic performance and mental wellness.
Third, smile more! A cheerful face welcomes social connection and improves mood greatly. This is backed up by research, and according to SCL Health, “When you smile, your brain releases tiny molecules called neuropeptides to help fight off stress. Then, other neurotransmitters come into play too. The endorphins act as a mild pain reliever, whereas serotonin is an antidepressant.” The moral of the story: smiling simply makes you happier.
Fourth, if you haven’t already, use the Pomodoro Technique to study and concentrate. The Pomodoro Method is when you sustain work for 25 minutes and then take a five-minute break with a reward like a snack or a stretch. Repeat this process until you finish all your homework to reap the maximum benefits. This simple-to-use method is remarkably useful, and it makes homework assignments less daunting, prevents mental fatigue, and improves attention span and focus. There are hundreds of pomodoro timers online, so I recommend you check them out.
Kicking the school year off on the right foot can be a challenge. But, if you follow the research proven strategies above, I guarantee you will find your academic/extracurricular performance skyrocket, and you’ll feel happier everyday.
Thank you to Maya B for editing this article!