Necessary Skills for thriving in High School - Suggestions?

Hello there, I'll be starting my junior year soon, and so far, high school has been a bit of a whirlwind. I'm curious, what are the most critical skills needed to succeed in high school academically? Also, how can I hone these skills?

Response: Successfully navigating high school requires a combination of organizational, time management, and study skills. Let’s dive into each.

1. Organizational Skills: With the multitude of assignments, tests, and extracurricular commitments, it's essential to stay organized. Using an app or a planner can help you keep up with due dates and commitments. Next, you might want to set specific places for everything such as books, notes, and electronics to avoid wastage of time in searching for things.

2. Time Management: High school life can be busy. Balancing academics, extracurriculars, part-time jobs, and social life can be challenging. Prioritize your tasks, make a schedule, and stick to it. Prioritizing high-impact activities and deadlines can help you make the most of your time.

3. Study Skills: Everyone has different study habits, and the key is to identify what methods work best for you. Some people benefit from visual aids, while others prefer to read aloud or work in groups. Try different methods and stick with the one that enhances your understanding and retention. Break your study time into chunks with regular breaks in between to avoid cognitive overload, a method known as the Pomodoro Technique.

To hone these skills, begin by taking a small step each day. If organization is a challenge, start by tidying your workspace. If time management is your focus, try creating a schedule or to-do list for the next day every evening. To improve study skills, experiment with different techniques in low-stakes environments, like while reviewing class notes, rather than the night before an exam.

Remember, high school is not just an academic journey but a personal growth journey as well. All these skills will also prove beneficial in college and beyond. Best of luck!