school tips that aren’t bullshit
don’t try too hard in gym unless you actually enjoy it (chances are, your grades won’t be affected as long as you’re sort of trying or at least look like you are)(i do kind of have an unfair advantage in this department because i’m fat and people assume i can’t exercise but this seems to work for my friends of all shapes and sizes who i know who hate gym)
take electives!!! you might end up finding a secret passion + having a non-academic class is always a good way to break up the day
take classes you think are fun and actually enjoy! this seems obvious but, for example, if you hate calculus and you don’t have to take take it, don’t take it! take photography or environmental science or wood shop or algebra or literally anything other class, just make it something you enjoy.
don’t go overboard with AP and Honors classes (i suggest having at least one easy class [whether it’s an elective or just a subject you find easy] as a break)
only take honors or AP classes in subjects you find easy and/or interesting (taking advanced classes in subjects you don’t like or find difficult to begin with just makes it worse)
it’s okay not to take any honors or AP classes for literally any reason. too difficult? too stressful? too much work? just don’t want to? totally fine.
it’s okay to have to drop a class for any reason, too
if you have trouble focusing in a difficult class, sit in the front if you can (I find that being able to see all of the board, being able to hear clearly, and basically being prohibited from goofing off because I’m right in front of the teacher helps me focus on the lesson)
if you’re easily distracted by technology, don’t use it when you’re learning if you can help it. i know it’s not that easy to break habits, but it really does make a difference (my school offers personal computers and I found that, if i was taking notes online, i would get really tempted to do literally anything else on my laptop and isolating the tab with my notes didn’t help. i switched to taking notes on paper and it is much better)
use shorthand like your life depends on it. invent your own system or use the standard, it doesn’t matter. cuts down note-taking time in half, i swear
take notes on every academic text you read (unless you have an eidetic memory)!!! writing things down helps you remember the information better
eat well! try and eat three nutritious square meals a day because being hungry fucks over your brain! (and do remember nutritious means fulfilling and doesn’t denote specific foods)
don’t push yourself too hard! you’re a person, not a study machine, you have limitations.
if you have trouble studying, try experimenting with different ways of studying!
do not be afraid of getting extra help!
Don’t go to a certain school just because your friends and/or s/o is going there!!! Do what you want to do and go where you want to go! Your education is so important, don’t waste it for someone else.
Do not be afraid to use highlighters!!! You think it might be important??? Highlight it!!!
whatever you do, don’t join the military!