Keep your desk neat and clean so you don’t get frustrated by how sloppy it is. Keep your tools (pencils, highlighters, staplers) neatly organized so you can find them easily. Make sure the space is well-lit. Dim lighting can give you a headache, which definitely won’t help you stay motivated. Figure out if you work best with silence or with a little background noise. Some people are distracted by noise, while others can’t work without a little music playing in the background.
Study groups should have no more than 3-4 members so they don’t get unruly Meet at least once a week on a regular schedule. You can meet at school during a free period, or after school at somebody’s house. Volunteer to be the group leader/coordinator. You will determine what classes and projects the group will focus on in a given week so that everyone’s working together and helping each other instead of randomly working on their projects. Prepare for each session. Don’t just show up and expect to do work in your study group. Come prepared with insight on the task you’ve been working on all week. Remember to give the group short breaks from time to time to relax and recharge.
Set a patterned routine. Successful people often stick to regular routines to help them stay on task and achieve their goals. [2] X Research source . There might be some variation throughout the week — for example, you might have a club or practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but not the other days. But every week, you should know what to expect from each day. Give yourself a break from time to time. Studies have shown that taking a break to recharge when you feel like you’re going to burn out help improve your productivity. [3] X Research source
Remember to write reminders about long-term projects in the days leading up to the due date, so you don’t forget about it until the last second. You can also use a calendar app on your cell phone to keep track of your obligations. Most apps can be programmed to remind you of deadlines.
List all the different steps you must complete to finish the project. Make a schedule that forces you to finish one small piece of the project per day. For a paper, you might read and summarize one source on day one; another source on day two, a third source on day three; synthesize their arguments on day four; outline your argument on day five; integrate quotations from your sources into your outline on day six; write your paper on days seven and eight; rest on day nine; and revise on day ten.
Remember that nobody can work all the time. Give yourself a little time off when you deserve it. If you don’t meet your goals, keep yourself to your promise. If you goof off on social media for half of the two hours you were supposed to be studying, don’t let yourself watch your favorite TV show!
If you work your best and still fail to meet those goals, don’t be discouraged. Redouble your efforts. With hard work and time, you’ll meet your goals.
Find a quiet environment. Sit cross-legged on the ground in a comfortable position, supporting your back against a wall if you need to. Close your eyes and focus on the darkness. Think about nothing but the darkness that you see. Don’t let yourself think about anything else. When fifteen minutes have passed, get to work!
Create a simple but distinct action that sends a clear message to yourself It should be something you don’t do regularly — wiggling your toes, for example. Every time you feel your mind drifting away, wiggle your toes to snap yourself back into focus.
Try jumping rope, doing jumping jacks, running in place, or any other simple activity you can do easily in your room.
Make yourself get in bed at a reasonable hour, even if you’re not tired yet. Don’t watch TV or use your computer for at least an hour before you go to bed. [10] X Research source Don’t take naps during the day, so you’ll be more tired at night.
Fish with omega-3 and whole grains improve memory function. Dark fruits and vegetables provide antioxidants that improve memory and cognition. [11] X Research source Foods rich in Vitamin B, including spinach, broccoli, and beans, are good for memory and alertness.
Traveling the world Supporting a family Driving a good car Buying season tickets for your favorite sports team Having extra money to see concerts, eat out in fancy restaurants, see plays, etc.
Make a list of all the jobs you can see yourself being happy in. For each job, list the skills you’ll need to do that job well. Match up those skills with the classes and clubs at school that will prepare you for your dream job. Work extra hard in those classes. Join those clubs. Know that working hard in school will ensure a fulfilling career later in life.
Make good use of your downtime at school. Lunchtime and the time between classes is a great time to recharge your energy before your next class by having a good laugh with a friend. Join after-school clubs and teams to find people who share your interests.
