Organization and Study Habits
Organization is one of the keys to academic success! Here are some tips to help students get (and remain) organized:
1. Weekly backpack checks - Parents and students, it is important to perform backpack checks weekly in order to remove excess "stuff." There should be no loose papers or trash. Old papers from previous quarters can be kept in a folder at home in case they are needed again. Backpacks should contain the following:
Folders or binders for keeping subjects organized.
Paper
Notebooks for note taking
Composition books (if required by team)
Pens and pencils
A book for reading
If you need help choosing an organizational system that will work for you, please see your counselor. Because there are no lockers at Sierra, it is essential to keep only what you will need each day in your backpack.
2. USE YOUR PLANNER! Get in the habit of writing down your homework every day in each of your classes, including pages to read in your book. When you finish your homework, put a line through the assignment in your planner. It feels great to mark it off when you finish!
3. Advocate for yourself! If you are confused, lost, or overwhelmed, remember that your teachers are here to help you. ASK! They love it when you do. If you ever need help, come see us in Counseling!
4. Schedule your time outside of school by setting up an after school routine. Middle school students should plan on 70-80 minutes of study time per night. Studying includes homework, reviewing class notes, studying for tests, and reading your book for Language Arts. You will need to decide what works best for you. Some students like to take a break after school by playing or having a snack before diving in. Some students prefer to get homework completed right away so that they have the rest of their evening free. Some students like to break it up into half-hour chunks. If you use your time wisely during the day, during ELT and during class (when time is given), your nightly homework should be minimal. If you like free time, be as productive as possible during the school day!
5. Plan for busy nights. If you know something is coming up, plan to do homework before the night before it is due.
Remember, your counselor is here to help if you get stuck!
Do you want to get better at the things you do? It takes PRACTICE! Here is a short video to watch on how to practice effectively:
Does your student struggle with organization and work completion? It may be an executive functioning issue. Please read this article to learn about systems that can transform your child's educational experience:
Does your student need help with Executive Functioning Skills?
Untapped Learning - Executive Function.pdf