High School Survival Guide
“Are you faced with the undeniable urge to drop out of school altogether, because every day is so long?”
Have you been counting down the seconds until Friday? Do you refuse to log in to the portal, because if you don’t know about the homework, then it doesn’t exist—right? Are you faced with the undeniable urge to drop out of school altogether, because every day is so long? Thankfully, you are not alone.
Many of us are struggling with a condition that can’t exactly be called ‘senioritis’ because we’re not seniors. How can we overcome this unnamed phenomenon and own the rest of our second semester?
Search no more; here are ten quick and easy tips to thriving:
Be careful about asking for extensions, but don’t be afraid to when you need them. Teachers understand.
Yes, studies recommend at least eight hours of sleep per night, but I understand that can feel impossible. So, get there incrementally. This week, set a bedtime for yourself that gives you at least six hours of sleep. Next week, shift that time a half hour earlier and continue as such until you feel well rested in the morning. You will find that, in time, it gets a lot easier to go to bed earlier.
In case the previous step fails: use caffeine!
Take responsible study breaks: fifteen minutes after every hour, or if you prefer the Pomodoro technique (which we all know and love, obviously), five minutes after every twenty-five.
Use a reward system, and do something fun after you get your work done.
When you’re not working, hang out with friends.
As Mr. Steinglass always reminds us: “Practice self-care!”
Carry a water bottle around with you, or make frequent trips to the water fountain to stay hydrated. Studies show that it is important to drink at least 2.5 liters of water a day, which is about ten cups.
Make a list of all of the tasks you need to finish and when you are going to do them: bonus points if your list is color-coded.
If you’re continually perplexed by a subject, meet with your teacher. One-on-one sessions are often more effective than class time.
BREATHE—we really are almost there!
