Category: Study - Teen Toolkit

Time Wasters

20/2/2020

We've all sat down to check Instagram for five minutes, or gone to bed and watched "a couple" of youtube videos only to put the phone down an hour later and wonder where that extra 55 minutes went. It can be very frustrating and stressful when you lose track of your break time and end up being time poor for important tasks like getting ready for school or finishing your homework. Here are some tips to prevent wasting time:

Put your phone in another room
Turn off social media alerts on your laptop
Start a timer for your breaks
Find somewhere to do your homework where the TV and other noise won't distract you
Get up and move your body in your breaks - don't just switch your computer screen for your phone screen
Set realistic goals - don't expect to work on your assignment for two hours straight before you take a break
You can set app limits under settings on your iPhone or use a time management app such as Rescue Time.

October 22nd, 2019

22/10/2019

Sources:
https://www.keckmedicine.org/what-sugar-does-to-your-brain/
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/07/30/632480321/off-your-mental-game-you-could-be-mildly-dehydrated
https://parents.au.reachout.com/skills-to-build/wellbeing/self-care-and-teenagers
https://www.smilingmind.com.au/smiling-mind-app
https://headspace.org.au/young-people/how-to-reduce-stress-and-prepare-for-exams/

You are more than your ATAR

15/10/2019

As Year 12 students prepare for their final exams it's important to remember that you are more than your ATAR. In her recent post, educator Linda Stade, pointed out, "Approximately 50 % of Australian students go on to university studies at some point. Of them, 26% of students use an ATAR score to enter university. The rest use alternative entrance platforms. That means, approximately 13% of all students currently in Year 12 will actually use an ATAR."

So, with that in mind, know that it's not the end of the world if you don't get the score you were hoping for. If plan A doesn't work, try plan B, or even C or D.

Pre-Exam Rituals

10/10/2019

While the rest of us are on holidays, year 12 students are getting ready for their exams. Here's an interesting video from Art of Smart about pre-exam rituals. These activities help to calm your brain down so that you can think clearly when you sit your exam. Before an exam I used to talk to my friends then freak out because I hadn't studied the same thing that they did. By the time I walked into the exam room I was an emotional wreck.

Study Tee - How I stay Focused

20/8/2019

Study Tips and DIY Organisation

7/2/2019

Surviving High School 101: Ask Questions

31/1/2019

I used to be scared of asking questions at school in case I looked stupid, but then I would end up looking stupid because I hadn't asked the question. The worst case scenario is that your question is a silly one and someone might giggle or the teacher might grumble. On the other hand, if you ask a question, it shows that you are interested, listening and thinking about the topic. It is also better to ask a question and check that you only have to do questions 3 and 4 for homework, rather than staying silent and doing questions 1-10 because you weren't sure. 99% of the time it's better to ask the question.

TIPS FOR STARTING HIGH SCHOOL

26/1/2019

Starting high school can be daunting but look at it as a great adventure. Here are some tips to help your transition to go smoothly. Remember everyone else is in the same boat.

Teen Compass

10/11/2018

Image courtesy of http://www.theteencompass.org

Teen Compass has a Wellness Assessment survey that you can work through and see what areas of your life might need a bit of work. It covers relationships, emotions, spirituality, rest and play, resilience, care for body, organisation and school and work. You can find it here.

Do things you love

23/10/2018

If you're in high school then you are either in the middle of exams or they are fast approaching. Most likely you are fairly stressed and anxious. Just remember, you are not defined by the score you get at the end of year 12. For the sake of your mental health, schedule in time to do things you love. Doing this will put you in a better frame of mind and the time that you do spend studying will be more productive. There are some ideas above if you're stuck.