How to Get Organized in One's First Year of Junior High

The transition from 6th to 7th grade is one of the hardest changes a student makes during his academic career. Students go from being in a self-contained classroom to many different teachers a day in a larger building often connected to a high school. If you want to survive, you're going to need to be organized.

Things You'll Need

• Assignment book
• Calendar

Instructions

1. Get an assignment notebook. Write down your assignments when the teacher gives them. Keep the book in the same place in your backpack. Make sure that it goes home every night.

2. Make a schedule. By mapping out things in advance, it will make your life less hectic and stressful. Have a calendar of school and family activities near the main entryway. Make sure that it gets updated regularly.

3. Have an after-school activity. Studies show that students who have an after-school activity are better students. This is partly because the activity makes you more organized and helps you prioritize your time better. After-school teams and clubs also are a great way to make friends.

4. Develop a routine. The most successful students treat school as if it were a job. They go to school, do something after school, and then come home and do their homework. Get into the habit of doing your homework at the same time every night and it will get done more often.

5. Find an older mentor. Junior high is always easier if you have an older brother or sister to show you the ropes. If you don't have that luxury, it's not too hard to find someone to help you with the first year of school. Most schools have mentorship programs available that match older students with younger ones. Ask the guidance counselor if your school has one.