Executive Function Skills for the New Semester
If classes started back up last week or a couple of weeks ago, now is your chance to start the semester off right with executive function skills. If last semester didn’t go as planned, it is not too late to reset your academic year. Below are 5 tips to set yourself up for success at the start of the new semester:
Get organized. Did you miss assignments last semester because you couldn’t find where you put your papers? Having a good class organization system is crucial for accessing both paper and digital files. Consider having a folder or notebook for each class. You can set up one side for “to do” and one side for “turn in” as a cue.
Set up your study space. Take a look at your study space to think about what is working and what is not. Are you getting distracted by the video games in the corner or clutter around your desk? Is it too dark or is your chair uncomfortable? Set up your study space to minimize distractions and for comfort so you can sustain attention for longer on what truly matters.
Connect with your classmates and professors. Getting to know your classmates and professors early makes it easier in the long run to ask for help, extensions if you are in a crunch, and form study groups. The better of a relationship you have with the professor, the more likely they are to help you out in those difficult times. Or if you have to miss class, having a relationship with your classmates can make it easier to get caught up, and get notes from the class you missed.
Make a plan. When you have homework, extracurricular activities, work, social life, and family life to balance, it can be hard to make time for it all. Going into each week, plan how you are going to use your time- making sure that you have dedicated blocks for studying and completing homework assignments.
Prioritize. When you are balancing multiple priorities, it can be hard to decide what should come first. There are many ways you can prioritize your homework and prepare for tests. You can look at the due date, how long it will take, and how many points it is worth. These categories will help you determine what is truly urgent and important. If you are having difficulty prioritizing, team up with a friend, professor, academic advisor, or executive function coach to help you determine true priority.
These 5 tips can help you become your most successful self this semester. If you need more help beyond these tips, our expert coaches are here to help. They bring decades of educational and coaching experience, Master- and PhD-level training, and neurodiverse perspectives to help students stress less, and achieve more. Schedule a FREE consultation as soon as this week at this link.
