Now that school is back in full swing, teachers are presenting new material, and tests and quizzes are popping up, it is time to get serious about creating an effective afterschool routine. This can help you better manage your time, be more productive, and stay on top of assignments while also balancing downtime and other obligations.
- Establish a Basic Schedule
Create a document that breaks down each day of the school week in 30 minute or one-hour increments. Block out activities that have set times, such as practices, games, meetings, or tutoring. Include the time that it takes to get there and back home as well. Pencil in mealtimes too so you can sit down and spend time with your family. After that, you can fill in with when you will do homework, studying, and projects. Try to maintain a consistent bedtime so you get an adequate amount of sleep.
- Eat a Healthy Snack
Refuel your body when you get home from school, especially if you have an early lunch period. Rather than munching on processed snack foods that offer little nutritional value, opt for fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, or proteins. You want to give your brain the energy it needs without making your blood sugar spike and crash. Drink plenty of water as well to stay hydrated.
- Start with a Quick Review
Before you dive into your homework or prepare for tomorrow’s exam, take a few minutes to review your notes from the day. Read through your materials to refresh your memory about what you learned.
- Prioritize Your Tasks
Once you have reviewed, create a list of everything you want to get done for the day. Put the most important assignments at the top and those that may be due at a later date further down. Decide whether you are going to knock out the easiest subjects first, or work on those that are harder and require more focus and effort. Cross out each task as you finish so you can see your progress.
- Break Things Up
Don’t burn yourself by spending a significant amount of time on a single task. Stop and stretch after every 30 to 45 minutes and give your brain a break. Move your body around to get your circulation going, reduce stress, and refocus. Consider switching to a different subject and circling back to anything you didn’t finish later.
- Plan for Downtime
It is important to have balance in your day. You spend most of your time in school, followed by extracurriculars and other obligations, as well as doing homework and studying. Schedule downtime where you have the opportunity to relax and do something you enjoy, whether that’s listening to music, watching a favorite tv show, reading, drawing, or doing something outside. Take care of your physical and mental health so you can put your best foot forward in the classroom.
If you are struggling with subject area content and there are things that just aren’t clicking, working with a tutor can help you get back on track. A tutor can also assist you in developing more effective study strategies, test taking skills, time management, and more, so you can make the most of your afterschool hours. Contact Crafting Scholars to learn more about available programs and reserve your spot.