Potential Magazine august 2013 | Page 26

T I PS & TOOLS Help your teen start the fresh school year on the right foot with these ideas on organization and focus. Set a study schedule for each week, setting aside specific time each day for the task. If possible, study at the same time every day. Use a planner! Whether you choose a paper version or a scheduling app, it’s much easier to stick to a schedule (and avoid schedule conflicts) when you have everything written down and in one place. Use a “to-do” list. Set a priority list for your daily homework and studying before you begin each day. Then check off items as completed. This will help make sure everything gets done, and looking at a “all done” list provides a great sense of accomplishment. Keep class notes, handouts and other important info together and organized by subject using different folders or notebooks for each. Get prepared. When study time is done, put all your books, folders, pens, etc. back in your bag so it’s ready to grab and go the next morning. Lay out the next day’s clothes as well. Keep things clean. Go through your notebooks and your school bag at the end of each week and trash whatever you can. But be careful! Don’t throw away something you’ll need later. F I ND IT HERE 26 RESOURCES: Page 24: Floor mat, bug pillow, wooden pencils, glass canister; World Market. Page 25: Personalized notepad, www.EmilyLey.com. Page 28-29: Great Day notes, Great Day mug, Simplified Planner; www.EmilyLey.com. Model clothing provided by hue studio inc. / www.avibrantlifestyle.com. PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIKA TRACY / MODELS: CAROLINE FISHER, ISABELLA FAGAN AND PICKETT REESE www.potentialmagazine.com