I think it’s safe to say that getting back into the swing of school can be quite the challenge. Going from a careless summer attitude to the daily routine of a highschool scholar definitely takes a toll on students everywhere. Yet, here we are, almost a month into the school year, and still trying to navigate the endless abyss of homework, tests, quizzes, and projects, all while maintaining relationships and participating in extracurriculars. But, you’re in luck! I have composed a helpful list of tips and tricks that make getting back into the school routine a little more bearable. Here, you will find tried and true ways of surviving the school year, tested not only by myself, but fellow Ascension students as well.

1. One of the most important things to remember when trying to juggle multiple subjects, after school activities, and other obligations is to stay organized. This can be accomplished by simply purchasing a planner or keeping a “To-Do” list. Senior Hannah Gaspard says that buying a new planner for the school year allowed her to schedule her assignments in advance and she “knew what to expect.” This is also helpful for students who have trouble remembering due dates or homework assignments. Having upcoming work written out helps the mind to focus on the task at hand and prioritize better, leading to a more organized, stress free result.

2. Contrary to popular belief, teachers are here to help you, not hurt you (or your GPA). It is extremely beneficial to form relationships with your teachers and reach out for help when necessary. Whether it is to schedule time for extra help, ask a question, get missed classwork, or ask for an extension, Ascension teachers are just an email away. Some may feel intimidated or even vulnerable when asking for a teacher’s assistance or advice, but most teachers see it as putting forth effort toward achieving a good grade. This way, the teacher is able to connect with you on a more personal level and form a relationship, which can be immensely helpful in the long run.

3. Time management plays a huge role in determining a successful school year. Most students have extracurricular activities they participate in on top of a demanding academic schedule. This in itself can be quite overwhelming, and only gets worse when persuasive ideas of procrastination flood your psyche. While putting off assignments sounds tempting in the moment, it only causes more stress and rushed effort. Junior, Claudia Jones, says that she “tries to get as much work done at school as possible” in order to alleviate extra hours of work at home. She also says that by doing this, she is able to have her “me time” and “get in bed early!” Both of which are very important to today’s hardworking, yet exhausted youth.

4. Tip #3 brings me to my next point, which is to get enough sleep. A reasonable sleep schedule is crucial to academic success. While most Ascension students survive primarily on Bang energy drinks, some are unable to “fuel their destiny” without a full 8 hours of sleep, like the logo promotes. It is understandable that a full night’s sleep is sometimes unattainable due to an overflowing academic or extracurricular schedule. However, it is important to strive for this goal at appropriate times during the week. A demanding schedule is the perfect way to for students to lose steam, leading to subpar effort at school, which makes getting a sufficient amount sleep undoubtedly necessary.

5. At the end of the day, when all assignments are turned in and studying is complete, it is definitely a good idea to make time for yourself. Whether your idea of unwinding is binge watching a Netflix series, taking a long bath, or reading a good book, it is always nice to end the day by rewarding yourself for your daily effort. Being a student today comes with many challenges, so it is important that you take time for yourself every once in a while. A regularly scheduled, yet reasonable, “brain break” can eliminate stress and result in higher quality work, only boosting your GPA. Taking time to focus on yourself mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually are all vital components to achieving excellence academically.

As we dive further into the 2019-2020 school year, it is my hope that we, as an Ascension community, take into account these tips in order to have an extremely successful and beneficial academic year.