Staying motivated at school

The new school semester has well and truly begun! It can be both exciting and daunting starting the New Year, with new teachers, subjects, friends and challenges. So to banish any feelings of back to school blues, we've got 8 simple tips to help make school great in 2008.

1. Keep it positive- think of all the things you love about school, your friends, favorite teachers and learning new things. If you found something difficult last year make an effort to learn from that experience and to turn it into a positive experience this year.
   
   
2. Set Goals- try to focus on something you would like to achieve or improve on- like getting better marks, sporting success or winning an award. It may help to list your goals on a piece of paper. Select the most realistic ones and gradually work towards them. By the end of the year you may just surprise yourself! And don't forget to reward yourself once you've reached your goal.
   
   
3. Plan Ahead- schedule in some fun activities for the coming weeks or your next holiday break. This way you have something exciting to look forward to and work towards. Great ideas can be a special slumber party with your best mates, a bush walk through the rainforest or a fun day at the beach.
   
   
4. Just Chill- it's always important to take enough time out to relax. We use a lot of energy when we are exercising our brains so remember to calm your busy mind after a big day at school. Take a break before you jump into your homework in the afternoon. Find a relaxing hobby like painting or just listen to some peaceful music.
   
   
5. Exercise- is another a great way to clear your head after a big day at school. It is also a fantastic way to stay healthy and happy. Find a way to mix fun exercise- like bike riding, swimming or team sports- into your daily routine.
   
   
6. Get enough sleep- getting enough sleep means you usually wake up feeling refreshed and happy about another school day. A few tips on getting a good nights sleep are to;
   
   • try keeping your bedroom tidy before you sleep
   • limit the amount of drinks you have before bedtime
   • aromatherapy oils like lavender can help you relax before nodding off at night
   
   
   
7. Be Organised- When you are organised with your school work life can be less stressful. Packing your bag the night before is a great way to feel prepared for school. Also, try to organise your homework into manageable time frames each day so you aren't cramming when your projects are due or right before an important test.
   
   
8. Make the most of each day- It is important to make the most of your time at school. Remember that school is meant to be fun- a pleasure not a chore. So start looking for new and exciting things hidden in an ordinary school day.