Back to School Prep!! 📚

School started for y’all?? Can’t relate 🙈

LMAOOO I’m just playing w/y’all. Welcome back to Shaping Your Future 😚 ! I hope you all made the most of your summer break & had your much-needed relaxation time. The blog is back & unfortunately, that means school is back as well. I thought graduating would be the end of this foolishness 😒. But ultimately, those of us who have graduated still have a lot of school left to complete.

Now for those of you all who haven’t graduated, welcome back as well! I know I’m slightly late because school started for y’all already, (oops 😗) but it’s still not too late to prepare yourselves for the best experience at school yet!

As a student thats been in the game going on 13 years, I know that it doesn‘t matter how “early” or “late” the school year starts, we are never ready to go back. At least I’m not. But as we count down to the first day, there are at least a few things we can do to help us get into the student mindset in order to transition into the new school year smoothly.

1. School Supplies!! ~ It should be a no brainer, which is why it’s first on the list. However, no offense, but a lot of y’all go to school unprepared 😬 & sometimes I do too. If all the advanced, elaborate school supplies aren‘t available to you right now, you can at least bring a few essential items for the first day: a backpack (duh), pencils, paper, & some type of item that helps you contain any worksheets or handouts. This could be a folder or a binder, it just depends on preference. If you take math, not bringing a calculator or the “correct” calculator on the first day can be risky, so make sure you have that in place ahead of time!!

- extra tip : with the world we live in today, it is most likely required of you to have a laptop for class, so make sure you have that & the charger!

2. Bring something to snack on

~ I swear I’m not a bad influence!! I know it’s not education-related, but hear me out. How many of us can’t sleep the night before school starts? How many of us be half-asleep sitting through 90-minute classes in cold rooms?? How many of us have zero energy when it comes to school & it affects our attention span?? That’s why I say to bring something to snack on. Not in class, if you’re not permitted, but at least between classes. I personally recommend something like Red Hot gum to perk you up. A snack won’t enhance your learning & it may not enhance your attention span either, but at least you’ll be awake. You’re gonna need some extra energy for class & if you have any after school activities to attend.

3. Get a head start!!

~ This tip probably mostly refers to college students. We’re able to review our academic calendars & syllabi ahead of time, before school even starts. We can see what materials we need to get for class, when the tests are scheduled for, when our breaks start & end, etc. So if you see that you have to read the class book by a certain date, there’s no harm in getting started early. That’s what I’m doing. I’m fortunate & self-aware enough to know my strengths & weaknesses as a student, & I know that I don’t read fast. Because of that, I need to make sure that I have ample time to get my assignment done, thus I am reading the book before classes start. For those who take more time completing their work & making sure everything they turn in is high quality, I recommend getting a head start on your assignments.

4. Evaluate yourself as a student

~ This part is about knowing yourself. * What kind of learner are you? What is the best way for you to learn? How can learning be made easy or fun for you? Ideally, your teacher would answer these questions about their students & apply it to their teaching style. Unfortunately, one teacher cannot cater to the unique learning styles of 20-30+ students. Some teachers don’t cater to anyone’s learning style at all. That’s why it’s important for you to answer these questions about yourself & apply it to your study habits. Do you need to get some flash cards? Do you need to make a quizlet? Do you need to use highlighters or pictures for reference? I can’t teach you how to study, only you know the best way for you to learn & the best way for you to study. & once you figure that out, you can handle any information that comes your way.

* click on link to view my article about learning styles

5. Think about your goals for the school year

~ Evaluate your last school year. How did you do? Did you achieve everything you wanted to achieve? Are there things you can improve on? Do you have a different set of goals for this school year? Whatever your goals are, you need to define them & then ask yourself what you can do to help yourself achieve them. If you didn’t do as well last year, well that’s why you have another shot. What can you do differently to improve your learning experience? I recommend writing your goals down, how you can achieve them, & things you can improve on. & it helps to implement positive self-talk into your daily routine before you get to school. Tell yourself that you’re an amazing student. You make straight A’s. You’re number 1 in your class. You’re intelligent & you retain information easily. You pass all of your tests. You pass all of your classes. You’re a confident student. Tell yourself whatever you have to in order to uplift your spirits as a student & help you be successful in school.

Other than that, there’s not much I can tell you but to have your supplies in order. Get any tools you need to ensure your academic success, & of course we’re still in a pandemic, so make sure you have your mask & sanitizer on deck!! Be safe going back to school & make this your best year yet.