How to pass and not go mad 

AKA How to balance student life.

School. Ah, everyones favourite. Don’t we all just love the load of homework and materials to memorise? /screaming internally/ But, it is what it is and there is nothing that we really can do about it, besides actually learning and working hard.

As a high school student, I know how hard it gets at times to focus on school, keep good mental state, eat, sleep, hang out with people and pursue ones hobbies. It’s just madness. However, with the right time management skills and a tad of dedication you can do it. As a straight A student, contemporary dancer, reader, occasional model and (maybe?)a blogger, I want to share some of my tips and tricks on how to excel at school and have time for your other interests. Let’s dive into it!

Tips for more effective learning

Pay attention

Might seem obvious, not everyone does this though. Pay attention during your lectures! It will save you so much time at home, since you will probably understand the topic already or at least won’t be completely lost.

Have your own notes

Writing things down (either during or after the lecture, some sources say that it is better to make notes after, so that your brain is focused on the professor during) can help you remember and suck the knowledge in more profoundly. Make your notes clear, so that they are easier to read and learn from.

Be as active as possible

If you have the time and mental capacity to do so, try to do as many extra point voluntarily activities as possible. They are helpful for: a) increasing your percentage b) showing your teachers that you are active and dedicated student who tries.

Learn consistently

This is a BIG one. Maybe even the biggest one. Instead of cramping for a test the night before, try to learn 'from lesson to lesson'. This means that you will learn your material consistently every week/day, so that when a test comes around, the only thing you have to do is revise. This method of learning is called spaced repetition and it is proven to be one of the most effective learning methods.

Time management

Create a time planner

If you feel like you never have enough time for anything, try creating a time planner. Write down a chronological list of all activities you do during the week. (Monday- school 8am-3pm, training 5pm-6:30pm...)

Then look for empty time windows. (School ends at 3pm, training starts at 5pm, this means that I have an empty 2 hour time window here)

Now, with the exact knowledge of your free time windows, you can plan learning sessions, hang-outs with friends, cleaning sessions, shopping sessions(...) for a specific time window.                                            For example: let’s say that on Mondays and Wednesdays you come home at 6:30pm from training. So, reserve the time between 7:30pm and 9:00pm for learning. This way you know that every week you have minimum of 3 hours reserved for learning. On Tuesday there is a 2 hour empty window between school and training. Reserve this window for hanging out with friends.

This method helps you manage your time better, as well as inform those around you about when you are available. Of course, you can switch up activities in the free windows as suitable. (If there is a big test coming up, switch hang out window with a learning one...)

Prioritise sleep

During test season, sleep might seem like a privilege and something that you sacrifice to gain more time to learn. However, that is a giant mistake. In order to learn more efficiently, your brain needs its rest. While sleeping, your brain gets rid of toxins and, simply said, detoxes itself. Being well rested also brings the benefit of more focus and energy. So, try to prioritise sleep as much as possible.

Cut on your activities

You maybe took a bigger bite, than you can chew. I get it. I myself always want to be the ‘superwoman’. Have as many activities as possible, do everything, be everywhere, know about everything. Sometimes it is the greatest feeling ever, other times it is destructive. There is no shame in dropping one of your activities, if they become too time consuming. Prioritise what you love and/or what you can handle.

Mental health

Meditate

Meditation can help you relieve tension, stress and school anxiety, but it can also help you improve your focus, which will help you do better in school. My personal favourite meditations are the ones on Youtube.

Journal

Put your thoughts and worries on paper. This will ‘declutter’ your mind a bit, help you focus better and relieve your anxiety.

Say no

There is nothing wrong with saying no to your friends once in a while. Prioritise yourself and your needs. Sometimes we may feel pressured to go out and have fun all the time, but it’s okay to stay home and relax occasionally.

Take rest days

Mental health>academic success. If school gets too much and you feel overwhelmed, remember to stop for a while, maybe take a bath, watch a movie, eat your comfort food, sleep more, clear your head... It is important to be in a good mental state in order for you to be able to give school your 100%.

Disclamer: I would like to point out that these are things that I do that might not work for everyone. So, take this post as an inspiration only.

With love, 

Ronie