Picture this: It’s 2am. You’re frantically copying down each line of the chapter for your textbook reading assignment that was due at 11:59pm. Even worse, you still have to study for another test tomorrow. You’re beginning to have a panic attack. Don’t worry! This doesn’t have to be the case. Here are a few pieces of academic advice that will come in handy and help you be as productive as possible while managing your stress.

First and foremost, challenge yourself in a healthy manner. Avoid overwhelming yourself with all of the APs and honors possible, but don’t only take the easiest courses available. It is important to push your limits so you can grow as a student and person. Opt for classes that you are genuinely interested in, rather than solely for the purpose of impressing colleges or appeasing your parental expectations. If you are struggling with choosing courses, take some time to ask upperclassmen to get more insight about coursework and satisfaction of that respective class. 

Next is taking advantage of your resources. Make the most of online websites and materials your teachers provide if you encounter tricky concepts. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions to your teachers. They are here to help and have years of knowledge. Your classmates can be equally as helpful as well. The exchange is mutually beneficial: teaching others helps solidify information for yourself, and you can also learn from other students. 

Now how can you truly maximize your classroom time? Make sure to pay attention in class; this means no snoozing. More importantly, have an open mindset about what you are learning, even if the content doesn’t seem useful. You never know what interesting tidbits you might learn that will help you achieve your goals more effectively. 

Once you are back home completing homework, consider these study hacks. Do not multitask. It may seem more efficient, but in the long run, you will retain the information better and complete assignments more effectively by focusing on one assignment at a time. Additionally, break your assignments into smaller chunks. This transforms what seems like an immense amount of work into a series of achievable milestones, improving your motivation and progress. The most useful study hack is active recall. This is forcing your brain to retrieve the information by testing yourself on questions about a topic. Ultimately, the efficacy of these methods depends on your personal preference. You might enjoy taking hand-written notes on paper, whereas your friend likes to have typed notes online. Find what works best for you.

You might find that at times, academics at LHS will be very stressful, so it is crucial to manage your stress. Clearly outlining deadlines is useful to enhance your preparedness. Staying organized is also crucial. This means categorizing your google drive by creating folders for each class and bookmarking important tabs such as Aspen and class websites. The biggest piece of advice is to set healthy habits: good quality of sleep, proper nutrition, adequate exercise, and exposure to sunlight. This will help you feel energized to study and allow you to focus productively. 

Hopefully this has been helpful for guiding you through your first year at LHS and through your future academic endeavors. Remember—balance is key.