As we dive into a new year, feeling excitement and uncertainty is natural. At Green Ivy, we’ve put together some essential tips to help students master the upcoming year—no matter the learning format. We find students can ensure a smooth and successful year by staying organized, taking care of overall well-being, and utilizing available resources.
Here are some of our tips for middle school, high school and college students:
-
Check Email Regularly
It might seem like an obvious tip, but staying on top of email is crucial for success, with so many communications coming through—whether about assignments, grades, or changes in schedules—missing an important message can easily derail your plans.
Our tip: Check email every morning before classes start, and then checking back throughout the day, especially after any class sessions. Staying proactive about this will make it less likely to miss critical updates and stay on top of deadlines.
-
Take Dynamic Breaks
Being in a rhythm of study or attending long hours of class can make it easy to forget to move. However, research shows that sedentary behavior can harm both physical and mental health. In other words, breaks are essential!
Our tip: Regardless of the learning environment, aim to take a short, dynamic break every hour. This could be as simple as stretching, walking, or doing some light exercise. Regular movement helps improve focus, boosts mood, and keeps your energy levels up throughout the day.
-
Create a Daily Schedule
Staying organized is one of the keys to mastering your school year. A clear, well-maintained schedule ensures that you meet all your deadlines, attend all your classes, and stay on top of your workload. We recommend keeping a physical planner, whiteboard, or wall calendar where you can see everything in one place. While digital tools like Google Calendar are convenient, a physical planner helps manage tasks in a more organized way and prevents digital overwhelm.
Our tip: Update your schedule each morning after checking email to reflect any new assignments, due dates, or changes to your class schedule.
-
Set Up a Productive Workspace
We know our environment plays a huge role in the ability to focus and succeed. In fact, a recent Yale study showcased that visual clutter impacts the workflow to the brain. Whether at home or in a classroom, having a designated workspace is crucial. To stay focused, make sure the workspace is tidy and free from distractions. If possible, sit at a desk or a table, use a chair that supports good posture, and keep all necessary materials (e.g., notebooks, water, charger) within arm’s reach. Keep distracting items—like phone or TV—out of sight and out of reach while working. 
Our tip: Set a timer for 5-10 minutes before beginning a homework or work block, and use that time for a quick tidy up. It makes a big difference! A clean, quiet, and organized space helps engagement and productivity.
-
Make Use of Office Hours
Many teachers offer office hours or additional support sessions throughout the week. These optional times are a great opportunity to get help on tricky assignments, clarify confusing concepts, or ask for feedback on drafts. Taking advantage of office hours can be one of the most effective ways to boost understanding of challenging material.
Our tip: Be proactive! Don’t wait until feeling stuck—reach out early to get the help needed and stay ahead in classes. Using office hours as a way to be proactive is especially helpful for student-athletes who might be missing class for away games.
Remember, every student is different, and what works for one person might not work for another. Feel free to experiment with these tips and adapt them to fit as needed. We’d love to hear what’s been working this year—share your tips and tricks with us, and let’s keep the conversation going!
Since now it is still a summer break in Philippines…School will start by August for College.
As a professor and a Mom…we need to be optimistic and resilient in this challenging times…the pandemic will change the normal to new normal like of teaching methods, all should learn how to navigate the system of the learning methods and integrate health and safety practices in the learning and work environment.