No matter what grade you’re in, whether it be a freshman or a senior, your grades matter. If you are a freshman or sophomore reading this, you might be thinking: I still have half of high school left to improve my grades. But the truth is, every year counts. Though colleges don’t look at your 5th grade report card, the work ethic you build each year is reflected through your grades in high school. Colleges look at your transcript, and things like high test scores and good grades can assist you in getting money for college. 

Right now it’s September, and a new school year brings opportunity for a fresh start. Don’t wait to become diligent, build good studying habits, and make higher grades. Take some time to read the following list of small study and organization tips that you can take to make this year count!

Tip #1: Have a way to plan

No matter what avenue you decide to take, having a place to write things down is CRUCIAL. Whether it’s homework assignments, practices, test dates, or just reminders in general, writing it all down in one place that you know you’ll look back at is so helpful for being on top of things. One way you can do this, which is the way I prefer, is by writing it down on your school computer. 

If you’re more of a hand-written type of person, you can buy a planner! Planners are great for writing out weeks and even months. You can also buy planner accessories like stickers, fun pens, and markers that make planning more enjoyable. 

Tip #2: Check RenWeb for a weekly overview 

Every Sunday before a new week starts, RenWeb is updated for the week by your teachers. You can click on the “Lesson Plans” tab to see what you will most likely be doing in every class for the week as well as when assessments might be. You can also click the “Homework” tab and see what will be assigned to you each night of the week and when those assignments will be due. Taking the time to at least glance at RenWeb before the week starts will help prepare you for the week and will give you an idea of what to expect. 

Tip #3: Write down your weekly homework/assessments 

This tip is an addition to Tip #2. After checking RenWeb before the week starts, I highly recommend writing down every homework assignment for the week and any tests/quizzes you will have on each day. Whether you write it down in a planner or on your computer, this is one of my biggest tips for staying organized in school.  

If you are more of a digital person, Macbooks have a “sticky note” feature that allows you to add notes onto the home screen of your computer. Here you can create a place for homework assignments for the week, a to-do list for the day, and assessments for the week. After the day is over or after you have completed an assignment, you can delete it off of the “digital sticky note.” 

Tip #4: Use study hall & extra class time wisely

You’d be surprised at how much work you can get done during the day at school. We have, give or take, 40 minutes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to get work done. Though you may just want a break from your previous class, using this free-time as a way to study or get homework done is so important. You won’t be able to work, however, if you are in a room full of your best friends. So, find somewhere quiet so that you can focus. 

Tip #5: Work ahead!

This is one of if not my biggest tip for making good grades and staying on top of homework and assignments. WORK AHEAD! This tip connects to the previous one. Don’t wait until the night before an assignment is due to work on it, use the extra time you are given throughout the day to start your homework, whether that be during study hall or during 30 free minutes at the end of a class. As someone who works ahead in almost every class, the feeling of relief that you get when you finish and turn something in early is the best. You don’t have to worry about it anymore and it leaves time for other things. If you use your time wisely and work to get assignments done early, you will have so much extra free time at home to study for a test, go to a school sporting event, or watch your favorite show and relax.