The second pillar of the Flivver Way states: “We are PREPARED.” One of the most effective ways to be prepared is to get and stay organized. In this second installment of The KHS Counselor’s Corner, Mr. Wedge and I are going to focus on how improved organizational skills can help students be prepared in high school and beyond.
Mr. Wedge and I meet with students all the time who are struggling academically. When we dig into some of the barriers to the student’s success, we find that one of the biggest challenges is actually poor organization. While there are sometimes more layers to why a student might be struggling, improved organizational skills nearly always yield positive results.
Many teenagers (and adults) think being organized involves being a good multitasker. Unfortunately, the research regarding multitasking could not be further from the truth. NPR’s Jon Hamilton explains that, “Even though modern technology allows people to perform more tasks at the same time, juggling tasks can make our brains lose connections to important information. Which means, in the end, it takes longer because we have to remind our brains what we were working on.” The more tasks a student is trying to take on at once, the more overloaded the brain’s systems become causing what equates to an electrical “brown out” in the brain - lights are dim and they just don’t function as well as they should. Strong organizational skills can help students limit the need to multitask. In other words, good organization helps students “keep the lights on” in their brains.
Getting organized can start with something as simple as limiting distractions. Silencing phones, turning off the TV, and designating a workspace. Once those pieces are in place, here are a few other suggestions from D’Arcy Lyness, PhD:
Practicing good organizational skills now will not only increase your opportunities for success in high school, but will also strengthen your aptitude for success in college and/or the workforce. As always, if you need help, our doors are always open.
In the coming days, all students at KHS will be gifted a school planner. Now that you’ve read this article, hopefully you understand why you need to USE IT! Your Flivver Way depends on it!
Sources:
Hamilton, Jon. (2008). Multitasking Teens may be Muddling their Brains. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2008/10/09/95524385/multitasking-teens-may-be-muddling-their-brains#:
Lyness, D’Arcy, PhD. (2022). Organizing Your Schoolwork. Nemours Teen Health. https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/focused.html
Mr. Wedge and I meet with students all the time who are struggling academically. When we dig into some of the barriers to the student’s success, we find that one of the biggest challenges is actually poor organization. While there are sometimes more layers to why a student might be struggling, improved organizational skills nearly always yield positive results.
Many teenagers (and adults) think being organized involves being a good multitasker. Unfortunately, the research regarding multitasking could not be further from the truth. NPR’s Jon Hamilton explains that, “Even though modern technology allows people to perform more tasks at the same time, juggling tasks can make our brains lose connections to important information. Which means, in the end, it takes longer because we have to remind our brains what we were working on.” The more tasks a student is trying to take on at once, the more overloaded the brain’s systems become causing what equates to an electrical “brown out” in the brain - lights are dim and they just don’t function as well as they should. Strong organizational skills can help students limit the need to multitask. In other words, good organization helps students “keep the lights on” in their brains.
Getting organized can start with something as simple as limiting distractions. Silencing phones, turning off the TV, and designating a workspace. Once those pieces are in place, here are a few other suggestions from D’Arcy Lyness, PhD:
- Write down all your assignments and when they're due.
- Break big projects into parts. Mark the dates when each part needs to be complete. Be sure to schedule when you'll work on each part.
- Mark the dates you'll have tests. Then make a note of when you'll study for them. One sure way to reduce test anxiety is to prepare by studying (really!).
- Enter other activities on your calendar. Fill in times for team practices, drama rehearsals, plans with friends, etc. This helps you plan ahead because you’ll see when things might be too busy to get all your work done. Use your planner to schedule a time to do your schoolwork on days you have other activities.
- GET STARTED on your task list. Often, getting started is the biggest challenge to checking off tasks from your list, so JUST DO IT!
- CELEBRATE! Once you complete a task, by all means, relish in that successful feeling that comes from checking off the item from your list.
- TAKE A BREATH. Remember to give your brain the oxygen it needs to remain focused. Do some focused breathing. Breathe in for 10 seconds and breathe out for 10 seconds. Try this about five times. This will help move the oxygen in your body to the places it needs to go for optimal performance.
- TAKE A MOMENT. Set limits for yourself. Work for a designated amount of time, then set a timer for a 10 or 15 minute “brain break”. When the timer goes off, get back to the task at hand.
- MOVE TO THE NEXT TASK. If you run into struggles on an assignment, do your best to manage through it, but don’t let it derail your progress. Set it aside, move to the next task and make a plan to meet with your teacher or a tutor as soon as possible about the assignment.
- GET HELP IF YOU NEED IT. The KHS Tutoring Program is just getting started. If you know you are in need of help in a certain subject, please email Mr. Wedge or Mrs. Sutton and we can put you in touch with one of our tutors from the National Honor Society. Also, the Study Lounge is open after school (M-Th, 3:10 -4:00) for a quiet place to work or to meet with your tutor.
Practicing good organizational skills now will not only increase your opportunities for success in high school, but will also strengthen your aptitude for success in college and/or the workforce. As always, if you need help, our doors are always open.
In the coming days, all students at KHS will be gifted a school planner. Now that you’ve read this article, hopefully you understand why you need to USE IT! Your Flivver Way depends on it!
Sources:
Hamilton, Jon. (2008). Multitasking Teens may be Muddling their Brains. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2008/10/09/95524385/multitasking-teens-may-be-muddling-their-brains#:
Lyness, D’Arcy, PhD. (2022). Organizing Your Schoolwork. Nemours Teen Health. https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/focused.html