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4 | TheBucknerClarion.com August 2017 Shaking off the summer months and going back to school can be tough. So, why not set some goals now and get focused early to make the transition a bit smoother? Setting goals for yourself not only lets you see what you can accomplish, but allows for a little introspection. According to Forbes, the science behind goal setting is key. Knowing that you want something to work makes you more willing to embrace whatever goal you set, and more informed, making you better suited to make decisions. Deciding what grades you want, what circle of friends is best for you, and how you can best manage your school priorities and social life can help ease the back-to-school transition. Studies suggest that almost 45 percent of teens were stressed by school pressure. Although everyone has the same 24-hour timeframe, some people can achieve way more than others. This is due to how well people spend their time. Time management means modifying activities to accomplish an end goal through separating or dividing the free time you have between specific activities. Going back to school, this tool can help improve your ability to move effectively even when time is counting down! So instead of spending all day running around in a frenzy, take some time to adjust your priorities. Write them down, organize them, and plan how to reach each objective. By Taiylor Sharp Tip #1: Have the Proper School Supplies that you need for your classes! Get folders and binders with patterns and designs to make note taking more fun. Dur- ing the first day of class most teachers will tell you everything they require for their courses. Make sure that you get the specified supplies so that you are able to keep up with the class work and stay organized. Tip #2: Make an Agenda! During the school year is such a busy time! Between taking tests, doing homework, and attending activities and school events, it can be really hard to keep track of everything. By keeping an updated agenda you can better manage your time and know what you have to accomplish. Having an agenda will defi- nitely help you with time management. Time management is key to being successful and staying on top of everything you need to do! Tip #3: Know your Course Syllabus Knowing your class schedule is so important for being successful in the course you're tak- ing. Teachers will typically hand out your syllabus in class or post it online. I highly suggest keeping it in a safe and convenient place so you can frequently view it. Knowing when you have papers and projects due is so important for passing the course and keeping up your grades. Having the syllabus will al- low you to plan ahead and give yourself proper time to complete every assignment and get great grades! Tip #4: Avoid Procrastination This is something that we have all been guilty of in the past and have learned the stressful repercussions. A habit is created in three weeks so if you study for every course you're taking daily, in 21 days that will be a new habit for you. Dedicating a little bit of time everyday to the courses you are taking is definitely going to positively impact your grades and make you a better student! Tip #5: Know What is Expected of You It is very important to know what your teachers are expecting from you. Pay atten- tion to what the teacher is saying about the workload of the class and what they are hop- ing for you to get out of it. Teachers are sup- posed to want you to succeed, so most likely they will provide you with what you need to do to thrive. Knowing their expectations and achieving them will help your year start smoothly. Always remember that communicat- ing with your teachers is key for understanding their expectations. Tip #6: Get Involved Getting involved with your school community is great because you can pursue your interest and meet peers who have the same and similar in- terest as you. Many studies have shown that students who are involved in sports and school activities are able to achieve higher GPAs. If you enjoy playing sports try out for the school team. If you are a musician or actor then join your school band or theatre company and share your talent with your fellow peers. Join clubs that you are interested in and attend all the meetings. If your school doesn't have the sports you play, a club you want to join, or a musical or theatre program then talk to your school ad- ministrators and see if you are able to start your own! It is amazing to have something that you are passionate about and enjoy doing, so never be afraid to pursue your interests. Tip #7: Learn What Type of Leaner You Are Everyone is individual and so is the way you learn! There are three main types of learning styles, which are auditory, visual, and kines- thetic. Knowing what type of learner you are is going to help you be a better student and have better studying habits. When you are able to determine the type of learning style that is best for you, you will find better results when you are studying and it will result in higher test scores! I highly encourage you to do some re- search and determine the type of learner you are so you can personalize your studying. Tip #8: List Academic Goals Write out a list of goals that you want to achieve for the upcoming school year! Do you want to make the lead role in the play, get that varsity spot on the basketball team, improve your grades? You can reach all the goals you set for this year! When you write down every goal, you are able to plan and realize what you need to do to prepare for them. Having that list can be a driving and motivating force to help you work to achieve those goals.