Tips For Back To School

I have now officially gone back to school! Routine is now important again, and so is focusing and working hard. 
    I thought it would be helpful to share some tips on how to make the most out of school this year on an academic level.

• Use a planner.
  I am a broken record when it comes to this. For the past few years, I have used a planner, but I often begin neglecting my planner after Christmas break. But this year (with you as my witnesses) I will do my best to use my planner consistently. I personally like ones with weekly and monthly spreads, so that you can put in your significant events, like trips, big deadlines, or doctor appointments, as well as to-do lists for each day. I also love cute and aesthetic ones with stickers here is the one I’m using this year!

• Make a study playlist.

        In the past year, I have found that I study well while listening to instrumental music. So, this year I made          a study playlist filled with classical and soundtrack pieces that aren’t too exciting, to be the background             for my studying. I also love using ambiance videos on YouTube. (I made a short YouTube Playlist with                 some ambiance videos for you! Check it out here.)

• Take study/school breaks.
  I learned about this from Ruby Granger, she has a lot of videos on study breaks. I have tried implementing study breaks/Pomodoro-style work into my summer writing routine and it has worked pretty well, so I’m excited to implement them in this school year. It’s essentially just taking a short break away from your work, but doing something that still keeps you in a working mindset. Things like making a snack, going on a short walk, reading something short, or researching something that interests you are all good study breaks. 

• Take time for God before school.

I have found that I feel incredibly different on days when I spend time with God in the morning versus mornings when I don’t. When you take a short amount of time to welcome God into your day and your school, it sets you up for success. You don’t have to do your whole Bible study time in the morning if that doesn’t work for you, but read a verse or two, and bring your day to God. 
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• Curate a Space that is exciting to work in.
  A desk covered with assignments isn’t all that inviting. I don't know about you, but for me, making a mood board above my desk, burning candles with smells that make me happy, having all of my pretty highlighters lined up, and a cup of tea ready to go gets me much more excited to study. I also love to imagine something to make the time more interesting - I am studying for my O.W.L. at Hogwarts, I am a student at Oxford or Yale, or I am an important person solving the problems of the world.

• Tell yourself good things.
  One of the worst things you can do to yourself is tell yourself lies about your academic ability. Saying I’m not good at that subject, that subject is always boring, or that subject is too hard, will put resistance from doing that task into your mind. You don’t have to love everything but give yourself the benefit of the doubt, give yourself a chance to shine at that subject. 
  
  So together, let’s make this the best school year ever! Remember that this is about your future, learning is an amazing gift and opportunity we get to have. 
  
  

Belle Thomas

​Belle is the writer behind An Old Fashioned Girl. She is passionate about Jesus, good books, and living a beautiful life