Back To School

CEBU, Philippines - Summer's over and opening of classes is at the horizon. This means adjusting your bedtime and eating schedules as the lazy days are only meant for summer.

How might your contribution to the family make the transition to "Back to School" days easier and smoother? Here's a list on what to prepare for School Year 2012-2013:

" School Supplies/Requirements. Upon completion of every enrolment, you are already issued a list of what to buy --- from notebooks to crayons, to art paper and even a pair of scissors. So make sure that before June 4, you already have these organized in your school bag or backpack. Do not forget the class/section you're assigned to, the room, the location of the nearest lavatory if there's no restroom or toilet facility in every classroom, and the name of the Homeroom adviser. Ask your parents for a school familiarization tour most especially if you're a new kid on the block.

" Uniform. Some schools make it compulsory to purchase prescribed uniform from the in-house tailor or dressmaker, but some uniforms are readily available in department stores and flea markets. Still, it's best if it's custom-fit, even though this would shed some extra peso. The long-term benefit is that this would save you from tying edges of your polo or blouse into a bun or looking like a scarecrow for oversized pants.

"Shoes, socks, undies, hankies. Like most households, we organize our clothing according to where and when it is of use. So as early as now, separate undergarments, handkerchiefs, pairs of socks that you use daily for school. This would save you time from digging into the entire wardrobe on the very hour the school bus is outside waiting. As for your shoes, you can give them a quick dust-off with a cleaning cloth or a thorough cleanup with a good brand of shoe polish. If you've outgrown every piece of clothing and your pair of shoes now gives your footsy the hurts, it's time to list down what you need so mom or dad (or both) can assist you in shopping.

"Back2School Calendar. Remember to tack a "time management sked" on your bulletin board. This helps a lot to enforce discipline on you. If you are to start the day at around 5 a.m., you have to be tucked in bed at 9 p.m. the latest. The TMS will help you observe a five-minute wake-up thanksgiving prayer, another five-minute folding up of beddings, a 15-minute shower, 15-minute breakfast, five-minute brushing of teeth, 10-minute change of clothes and grooming, etc.

10 tips for good study skills

Familycorner.com suggests these 10 tips to help develop good study habits.

1. If you have a desk, use it to study, and you should study at a regular time each day. If no desk is available, establish a "study place" to use each time.

2. Studying should begin immediately when you sit down. Don't fall into other distractions, like answering emails from friends or doodling. Do those things later, as a reward for yourselves, when you get your studying done!

3. Plan what you need to accomplish. At the beginning of the study session, write down exactly what you want to get done.

4. Large tasks should be broken down into smaller ones. For example, if an essay is to be written, the tasks might include writing a first paragraph, researching those points, writing each section, etc.

5. Keep a "log book" or record of needs to be accomplished in each study section.

6. Keep studying supplies in a handy place, like in a shoe box. Organize them so you can grab what you want quickly, without having to rummage around.

7. Be sure to take a break to refresh your brain. Try studying for 45 minutes, then resting for 15 minutes.

8. Getting enough sleep is important for effective studying and remembering. Be sure you have an established bedtime at a reasonable time each night.

9. Eating well gives your body and brain the fuel it needs. You should eat three good meals a day and should not skip breakfast. Eat a balanced diet of good healthy food and not too much junk.

10. Exercise will increase memory and study stamina, as well as making you feel generally more confident. (FREEMAN)