It's January 2012, and a milestone that once appeared so far away, is actually a lot closer than you think. Yes, the comfort of your K-12 educational community is winding down and you need to get prepared for life after high school. In order to arrive successfully to your next destination, create your master plan, now, and set a goal to accomplish all tasks to the best of your ability.
Most goals can be reasonably attained. However, many high school school students are challenged by what they identify as "tedious tasks," that prevent them from reaching their post secondary and/or career goals. Now enters your 2012 New Year's resolutions, to jumpstart your master plan. You have probably heard these suggestions numerous times; if so, there is nothing wrong with hearing them again. Your determination in making this a successful year can reap benefits for a prosperous future.
- Attend school regularly. You learn by being in class and engaging in activites and discussions. This can increase your chance of positive results on evaluations.
- Arrive to class promptly. Discipline yourself to behaviors that will be required in other settings; such as, employment and post secondary education.
- Develop self-advocacy skills. Don't wait for people to come to you and ask if you need help; take the initiative and go to them. Most high school students know they need academic assistance, but they think it's "not cool" to ask. The worse scenario is to fail classes and not graduate with your class because you were too stubborn to ask for help. Now, how cool is that?
- Project a positive image. This follows you for a lifetime. Be concerned with the image you present to others, whether it's your attitude, communication skills, the way you dress, your decision-making skills or how you treat others. Put your best foot forward around your friends, other students and staff. I am frequently asked about this on college recommendations for seniors, as well as to list the first words that come to mind to describe a student.
- Practice healthy habits. This includes getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, alerting others when you are stressed or overwhelmed with emotional issues, enjoying friendships and refraining from risky and unhealthy behaviors.
- Develop good study strategies. Successful academic performance can be gained by being attentive in class, taking good notes, reading as required and for pleasure, increasing one's vocabulary, reviewing notes nightly, facilitating small study groups, having good organization skills, refusing to cram for tests, using note cards to help with memorization and always completing homework assignments and projects.
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