Steps to Academic Success

Middle school, high school and college students may strongly benefit from learning new organizational and time management skills. Strong organizational and time management skills are the basis of success in all academic classes including courses such as biology, math, chemistry, history and English. Techniques such as the Cornell note taking system and making study guides using a highlighter are keys to reducing anxiety for tests and creating a system for good study habits. Mind maps and cognitive mapping create an easy, tangible way for kids to freely start an otherwise daunting writing assignment, essay or research paper.

Organizing teacher handouts in binders seems like a chore, but clearly leads to a smoother process when it comes time to mastering the material for the next big test. Going back to basics such as making flash cards, using post it notes, using color coding and making outlines and study guides of key points and studying the material for 30 minutes a day for three or four nights before and exam or quiz helps convert academic material from short term memory into long term memory. A strong long-term memory increases performance on science, math, Spanish, history and English tests.

Using a planner and tracking small tasks for each short term or long term assignment breaks down overwhelming deadlines into smaller more manageable blocks. Setting a times during study time can help. Taking breaks or a short walk can bring your mind back into sharper focus to get through a long period of studying. All of these organizational and time management techniques lead to reduced stress and higher test scores.