The best way to get good grades and have fun during your school years is to organise yourself better.
If you know what you're supposed to be doing and when, you're more likely to get things done. You won't be half as stressed, and your free time will be yours to enjoy without the worry of an overdue assignment hanging over your head!
Don't Leave Everything Until The Last Minute
I know it's tempting to procrastinate — sometimes it's more than just tempting! What I've found, though, is that the longer you leave something, the more likely you are to procrastinate and waste the time you do have left.
If you plan time into your day to get homework done, and start thinking about essays as soon as you get them, then you won't reach that panicky stage later down the line. You'll be more relaxed for it. Besides, it's very hard to enjoy your free time when you know you haven't earned it.
Even if you work better under pressure, that doesn't mean you can't get your background reading done early.
Use Your Free Time
Times like spring break (and even summer, if you're not on vacation) are actually brilliant for getting a head-start on the upcoming semester.
If you get bored really easily when you're not at school, you could use that time to study for class. It's amazing how many hours can be wasted not really doing anything, so I'm sure you could sacrifice one a day — or even half an hour — for the sake of your grades!
Don't Set Daunting Targets
If I tell myself I have to spend two hours researching something in the evening, it won't get done — especially if I'm tired, or can think of something vaguely more interesting or less 'studyish' to do. It's not that I don't enjoy studying, because I do once I'm started, but the thought of it can be really daunting.
So, instead of telling myself I have to study for two hours, I'll tell myself I only have to essay research for half an hour, instead. Usually, once that half an hour is up, I don't actually mind studying, and will carry on for longer.
Even if I do stop after thirty minutes, that's still better than being scared off by the idea of studying for two hours, and doing no work at all!
