Regardless of what year or grade you are entering into this September, the beginning of a new school year is a great time to formulate some new habits for yourself. You’ve likely had a break from the stress of due dates and exams, maybe even gone on a relaxing vacation or two, and hopefully feel refreshed and ready to tackle the new challenges before you.

The choices that you make these first few weeks could help set a fresh tone for this upcoming school year. To help with creating a heaIthy habit, it might be helpful for you to take some time to reflect on your previous year: what did you do right? What could you improve upon? What are some habits that you could change to make this year more productive, or less stressful for yourself? Answering these questions will help you determine the areas that are most important to you or the areas that you struggle with. From there you can focus on altering habits relating to those areas.

Here are some examples of habits that might be useful to you:

1. Get a planner and look at it every day. You can record assignment due dates, tests, study sessions, or appointments – anything that might easily slip through the cracks once your classes get busy. You can even write and track some of your goals in your planner, write inspirational or funny quotes to cheer yourself up, or keep track of fun time with friends! That way your planner won’t feel quite as dull.

2. Make a point to eat a healthy breakfast. Often students skip this meal, but we need nutrients to feed our brains and to keep up with the demands of this school year. Preparing the next day’s meals the night before might make it easier for you, as well as keeping fruit and nuts in your bag or better yet, in a bowl by your front door as it just might help you to remember on your way out the door.

3. Practice active reading and listening. Focus on the speaker, what they are saying and how they are saying it – they will usually give you clues as to what they think is important or interesting, and if they are the one testing you that could be very helpful information for you. When you read, really pay attention to the text. Write down anything that seems important to you and any questions you might have about what you are reading. Try to integrate what you are reading with what you are learning in other classes! The information will stick with you much better that way.

There are many more things that you can do to help you excel this school year, as long as you are willing to recognize your strengths and weaknesses, and commit to the changes you decide to make.

For more information on creating a healthy habit or how to set yourself up for a successful school year, feel free to contact us at Bliss Counselling.

Jenna Luelo