Is It Too Late to Turn the School Year Around?

This week, we asked members: Is it too late to turn the school year around? Here’s our favourite response.

It’s never too late! Well, at some point it will be… but that time is not now.

I know what you’re thinking: “Why should I listen to you?”

Good question. And the answer is: If there were ever a master of time management and organisation, it’s me.

So, I got your back. We’re in this together, and I promise, turning the academic year around is nowhere as scary as you think, so long as you follow these steps.

1. Plan!

Get a notebook and draw up a weekly calendar for Semester 2. Week 1. Week 2. Week 3. And so on. Include Monday – Friday boxes under each. Grab your class planners and put in every assignment due date for the whole semester. Trust me. It’ll look terrifying, but now you’ll have a visual guide for not only when everything is due, but what is due first. This will help you focus and prioritise when it seems like you have too many assignments to keep track of. Refer to the calendar and just focus on what is due first. Complete it, hand it up, then move onto the next one.

(Ed: You may want to also use our Grade Calculator to keep track of your scores!)

2. Use your attendance hours wisely.

Whether you’re at school or university, maximise your class time. Free periods or long breaks between lectures shouldn’t be wasted. You’re already at your place of learning with access to a silent, non-disruptive working area and all the resources you need. Keep these daytime hours for work, and once you get home at night you’ll be able to relax knowing you’ve already made progress on your assignment. Plus, it’ll help eliminate all those late nights. More sleep = a healthier, more productive you!

3. Ask for help.

If you’re really struggling with the content or structure of an assignment (and not simply poor time management skills), ask for help. Schedule an extra session with a teacher, find a study partner in your class or access other learning assistance options available to you on campus.

4. Don’t be afraid to hand things in early.

I know, you’ll feel like a dork. But the truth is, there’s no reason you can’t get an assignment out of the way early. If you have lots due on the same day, finish one early so you have time for the second. Or, if you’re going to be busy one weekend and know you won’t have time to finish Monday’s assignment, hand it up Friday. You’ll be able to enjoy yourself a lot more once you know it’s out of the way.

Now, stop surfing the internet, and get working!

If you or anyone you know needs help, support is available right now. Call Lifeline on 131 114 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.

Visit ReachOut to get support to help you with everything from everyday issues through to tough times.

Congratulations to Lauren for winning this week's writing challenge: Is It Too Late to Turn the School Year Around? Lauren wins a $50 Westfield gift card for her submission. For your chance to win, check out our latest writing challenges in our Comps section. Also, be sure to follow this guide on how to win the writing challenge!

Photo: CBS