How to Catch Up on School
By Keenan W.
Asian Male Student Tired and Stressed with Readings by shisuka Created in Canva
We’ve all been in a situation where we’re either feeling the pressure of being behind in school or the immense desperation of trying to catch up. The best way to remedy this universal dilemma would obviously be to never get behind. For some, this might seem impossible, especially when you go along with the trend of “we’re all behind and it’s hilarious”. Being behind and staying behind can have grave consequences. Although it is possible, particularly with the help of NSA’s own Student Success coach, Mrs. Kimberly Smith. Nonetheless, some of us just need a guide on how to catch up on school, once and for all. So, here it is:
Tell Someone. Reach out to family, friends, and guidance counselors at NSA to let them know about the pressure you’re under and all the work you still need to do. Once you have people who know about what you’re struggling with, they can help you set out a plan and stay accountable while trying to catch up on school work.
Create a List. Write out a list of total assignments (in all of your classes) you need to catch up on along with the time it would take to catch up on each of them. Once you have a list, you can set out a plan for how to catch up. Motivation is one of the hardest things to garner while doing school work or catching up, so start with the easiest assignments that take the least amount of time. That way, you can get the ball rolling and you’ll start feeling motivated once you’ve knocked out some targets. Additionally, break down and dissect in what areas, classes, or particular assignments you’re taking longer or having a hard time with and then infer how to break down that work and complete it in a timely way.
Don’t Procrastinate and stay productive. Once you start going down your list of assignments, focus on your productivity and don’t procrastinate. Instead, set a timer for 30 minutes, do a couple of assignments or work on an assignment and as soon as the timer goes off, stand up from your desk, walk away, and do something fun for 5 minutes, then come back and repeat. This will keep your focus and productivity constant as you try to do as much work as possible on the highest level without burning out.
Once you’ve set out a plan of how to catch up on school and you set your mind to it to do it productively and consistently, along with the help of others, you’ll be able to catch up on school in no time! The first step is always realizing that you need help, and luckily, at NSA you’re welcome to reach out to counselors and staff for assistance. You can catch up to school if you set your mind to it!
If you’d like a comprehensive guide on how to study less and study smart, click here.
Columns: 🗣️Advice
Keenan W. is in 12th Grade and has been with NSA since 2019. She lives in Houston, Texas, with her family after moving from South Africa. Keenan plays both the piano and the mandolin. She is also an avid reader, loves music, and enjoys watching 2000s movies. Some of her interests include psychology, criminal justice, international relations, business, leadership, and politics. She hopes to help and serve others through whatever her career may be.