Believe it or not, the old adage that time flies when you’re having fun is actually supported by how your brain works. Accordingly, tell yourself you’re having fun even if you admittedly aren’t having a blast to make if feel like time is passing more quickly.
Novelty can be a powerful tool to help you find joy in what you’re doing, and enjoyment can help time fly by. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut during the school year, but finding even small new stimuli can help get you out of those ruts. [3] X Research source
When considering how to take notes differently, ask yourself “How can I convey this information in a more interesting, but equally accurate way?”
For instance, pretend the teacher is a werewolf, but only morphs into a frothing-mouthed beast when she sees students eyes fully glaze over. There have been mysterious disappearances in her class every year. Can your class be the one that escapes unscathed, with full knowledge of the teacher’s lessons? Challenge yourself to accomplish specific tasks. If you’re usually quiet, make a point of speaking up next class. If you usually finish your in-class work quickly, see if you can work through something with another student who hasn’t finished.
Even if only for five minutes, find a corner where you can stretch or do a few yoga poses. Get the heart pumping by doing 10 pushups and 20 jumping jacks.
Invite kids who you don’t usually hang out with to join in on group activities. You may wind up with a new friend, a new study buddy, or both!
Another great option is joining the school band. The ability to play an instrument is likely one that you’ll enjoy the rest of your life, and there’s something especially fun about band people. Another option, if available, is a drama club. Acting can prepare you for public speaking or presentations and can be a great way to try something new. Challenge yourself to find an activity outside of your comfort zone. When you are comfortable with something, it can get predictable or boring. Look for new opportunities for growth or seek out new people to help keep the year fun and interesting.
If one of your classes is having a special event, or your school is holding some sort of soiree, dress the part. Not only is dressing up more fun than you might think, it’ll firmly place you in the fun crowd at school.
Reminding yourself of your responsibility to yourself as a student will help motivate you to show up to your classes ready and willing to learn. If your mind starts to wander during class, think to yourself “right now my best course of action is to pay attention. ”
If anything is unclear, raise your hand and ask about it. Know that other students will probably benefit from your question too.
Ask to speak with your teacher after class. Let them know how you’re feeling. Say things like “I’m having a hard time getting into the course material and I’m wondering if you have any advice. ” Ask your teacher about what interests them about the subject they teach!
Find out if a teacher who may be a bit dry during lecture is more interesting to talk to one on one. They may even know a lot about something that interests you.
Listen to your classmates’ questions too. Even if you think you understand the lesson, your classmates’ comments may make you see it in a more interesting way.
Planning ahead helps you complete specific assignments and achieve more general goals too. Avoid putting off homework or studying. This will add stress to your life and wind up leading to lower grades. Try using a calendar or day planner to help you stay organized, and to keep your thoughts organized about what you have to do and when. Better organizing your time will help it go by quicker!
If you get up to walk around which can be a great way to stretch your body and prepare for another focused school session don’t allow yourself to get distracted by your phone or a TV, as these will make it harder to refocus on what you’re trying to learn.
Ask yourself whether there are certain people you don’t want to see this may include other students who don’t treat you well, or a teacher that is impatient with you. Consider whether you’re feeling stressed about school itself, including classes and schoolwork.
To begin to identify the specific things that are stressing you out, make a list of the things you don’t enjoy about school. Include both social and academic things on this list of negatives. If your stress is caused by bullying or teasing, seek help. Peer bullying is a serious issue that can have lasting consequences. If you’re comfortable with it, try talking to your school counselor or administrator. Otherwise, you can look for resources on anti-bullying support websites. [19] X Trustworthy Source StopBullying. gov Website run by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services providing information related to identifying and preventing bullying Go to source
If a lot of the negatives have to do with a particular subject or class, make a plan to talk with the necessary teacher and share the fact that you’re struggling with the material. If the negatives on your list tend to have more to do with people, recognize that you may need to get help addressing your ability to feel comfortable at school.
Talk to someone. Whether an older sibling, a parent, other relative, or a school counselor they’ve all likely faced similar challenges in their own lives and lived through them.
If you’re unsure about meeting with a counselor because you don’t know how to convey what you’re feeling on a day-to-day basis, write your feelings out. This will help you organize your thoughts and identify what it is you might benefit from talking about.
