2015 is upon us. With a new year comes a new start. Getting organized helps you stay focused and get things done. The following tips will help make high school a little less hectic.

• Invest in a planner. Mark your calendar with information you know for the upcoming school year, like days off, sporting events, PSAT or SAT test dates, and so on. Doing so helps you manage your time and helps you keep track of your schedule.
• Throw away junk you’ve accumulated thus far. Loose papers can weigh down your backpack. Instead, try and file away anything worth keeping into an accordion folder. It also helps to have a binder for each class so you can neatly file away your handouts.
• Find a system that works for you! The most important part of getting organized is staying organized, and finding a system that works for you is the key to staying committed.

Finally, there are steps you can take to stay on task for the rest of the school year. When you do your homework, make sure you do it in a quiet place with little distractions. It’s best to avoid working where people are talking loudly, in front of the TV, or in any other noisy area. Also, if you are ever absent, make sure you copy up the notes from a friend before the next class. If there is anything you don’t understand, go and ask the friend you borrowed the notes from or the teacher.

Good luck Tides, and I hope this helped you start off your year well!