Look at several planners before choosing one. You might like one that has daily pages, or you might prefer weekly or monthly pages. Write down all of your to-do items and scheduled activities in your planner. Jazz it up by using fun pen colors or stickers!
Try Any. do to keep track of reminders and events. Try Listastic to manage multiple to-do lists. Try Focus Booster to help you divide your schedule into manageable chunks. [3] X Research source
Go to soccer practice. Study for Biology quiz. Take the dog for a walk. Take my turn making dinner.
Setting out your clothes for the next day. Packing your lunch. Sending a birthday card to your grandmother. Watching the latest episode of your favorite show.
If you are passionate about the environment, see if your club has an Environmental Club that you can join. If you’re really into music, you might want to invest your time in playing in the marching band or singing in a choir.
Get an A in Biology. Pass the AP exam in History. Improve grade on next French quiz.
Review notes for 10 minutes each night. Start studying for tests 1 week before the test day. Ask teacher for extra credit assignments.
Experiment with different methods. You can always use more than 1 way to study! Feel free to use different methods during the same study session. If you’re a kinesthetic learner, try studying someplace where you can stand up and walk around, and maybe even draw out your thinking on a whiteboard. [10] X Expert Source Alexander Ruiz, M. Ed. Educational Consultant Expert Interview. 18 June 2020.
Studying in small chunks will also help you better retain information. Aim for about an hour each day.
Make it clear to your family members that you don’t want to be disturbed when you’re in your study spot. Set yourself up for success by gathering all the supplies you’ll need. Grab your books, notes, and computer. Don’t forget to grab something to drink and a healthy snack! If you can’t find the perfect study spot at home, consider going to either your local or school library. Keep in mind your learning style when choosing a study space. For instance, if you’re an auditory learner you probably want to be someplace quiet, where you won’t get distracted and confused by the noises around you. [13] X Expert Source Alexander Ruiz, M. Ed. Educational Consultant Expert Interview. 18 June 2020.
English. Take an English class each year and aim for a mix of writing and literature courses, if your school offers all of these options. Math. Take at least 3 years of high school math. Look for a combination of Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Calculus. Science. Take at least 3 years of high school science. Try a combination of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Earth Science. Social Studies. Take at least 3 years in this area, with a mix of U. S. history, world history, and government classes. Foreign Language. Colleges like to see students with a good foundation of foreign language skills, so take at least 3 years in high school. Arts. Colleges look for well-rounded students, so take at least 2 years of art courses. These might be studio art, music, or drama.
For example, if you’re great with words, you might want to take honors English instead of AP physics. You might also be able to get college credit or place out of entrance exams by taking these types of classes.
You can take review and prep courses in person or online. These are really helpful and can make you feel much more confident.
You can ask the counselor about the best classes to take, wise extracurricular choices, and about which colleges they might recommend.
The date when each application is due. Who will provide your recommendations and when you will request them. A schedule for working on each application and when you will complete it. It’s a good idea to start with the application that is due first.
