Making your school year spectacular! 12 principles to help you become more successful in school

It was a bit nippy this morning, a precursor to fall and school beginning. While some schools across the nation have already begun, I suspect many of you are still anxiously anticipating school and what it all means this year—shopping for new school clothes, except those of you who wear uniforms; wondering what it is going to be like being in school in new classes with new teachers; and being in classes, face to face, some with masks, other without. Oh, the excitement of it all!

While you are trying to contain your excitement for another school year, let me share a dozen simple principles to help you to become even more successful in school this year. All these principles I have learned over the past several years, working with all levels of students and from my own experience as a lifelong learner. No matter if you are in fourth grade, a freshman, a senior in high school, or even a college student, they all apply, some more than others, depending on where you are in the school process.

Principle 1: Surround yourself with a great support group and seek out supportive friends.

They should be the ones who cheer you on, motivate your, not drag you down or convince you to do reckless or foolish things that may impede your progress or shove you down life’s paths that will lead to sad things. They will be your lifelines. 

Principle 2: Establish great relationships and rapport with your teachers.

You will need letters of recommendation. It may surprise you, but a good letter of recommendation goes a long way in helping college reviewers look favorably on your application. Teachers are very good at writing excellent recommendations—if they are warranted.

Principle 3: Become friends with the higher school counselor or scholarship coordinator.

This one may be a new one, especially for those of you entering juniors and seniors. It’s time to be thinking about graduation and all the stuff that needs to be done prior to graduation, particularly scholarships and college applications.

Principle 4: Do your very best.

This goes without saying. You have heard this from your parents and teachers since the day you began school. Doing your best every day will help you move forward. Granted, some days will be downright challenging. That’s just the way school is, especially high school. The key is just plowing forward every day, every day, every day

Principle 5: Learn to love learning.

If I had a dollar for every time someone said: “I hate school. It’s so boring,” I would be a semi-rich man. We study so we can learn to pass the quiz or exam. The key to learning, though, is that it never ends. If we do not continue to learn, we will end up in jobs and lives that are really boring and that don’t earn us enough money to do what we had hoped. Learning is the key to success in the long run, and you are the puppeteer of your own learning, meaning you are responsible for your success in school.

Principle 6: Always be prepared and do your homework first.

Part of doing your best is doing your homework first. Yes, it is easy to put off. There’s that favorite YouTube video you have been dying to see or the video game you have been playing all summer. Don’t put off the inevitable. Just do your homework first. It will definitely reduce your stress and not make you panic when you get up in the morning and realize your homework isn’t done. Your grades will definitely reflect how you do your homework and the preparations you make each day. Plus, your parents will be very happy!

Principle 7: Reinvent yourself and become who you need to become to reach your goals.

If you haven’t been doing very well and have wanted to change forever, now is the time to reinvent yourself. It can be done. You may have to change your way of thinking and doing. Some of the changes will be challenging. But changes must happen if you want to become your best self.

Principle 8: Find some service to do to help others.

I know your schedules are full but find someone or some organization to help. Most scholarship applications want to know if you have done service and how much. Plus, many companies today have a humanitarian/service component in their mission. Service will help you grow and develop in ways you never thought possible. Instead of becoming selfish, you actually become selfless—all part of that reinvention thing.

Principle 9: Be kind, gracious, and compassionate. 

Unfortunately, bullying has become a rampant problem in our schools and in our society. People pick on the weak and the less fortunate. Rise up and be kind, gracious, and compassionate. Don’t allow others to be bullied. Make sure you and your group are ones who champion those who need championing.

Principle 10: Be a cheerleader, mentor, and leader.

All of you possess leadership qualities, some hidden within your personality. As you reinvent yourself, allow your leadership quality to emerge and embrace it. Part of being a leader is being a positive and a motivating example, someone who inspires others to do good things. Some may see this as too much responsibility. Interestingly, it is all of our responsible to be good examples.

Principle 11: Practice resilience.

Resilience is the ability to overcome challenges. In today’s world, the challenges seem to come in waves, washing over us at times. Sometimes, we even feel like we are drowning. The amazing thing is that you have an incredible support group, family, and friends. Reach out to them. Just remember who you are and what you are capable of doing. You can do this!

Principle 12: Challenging and hard things teach us lifelong principles. 

You have heard this before, and your eyes have rolled to the back of your head. The irony is this: Today may be full of challenging things that cause you great grief and consternation. In the long run, though, you will learn important principles that will help you in the future, short term and long term.

Overall, school should be a challenging yet marvelous time to learn something that will stick with you throughout your life, make new friends, challenge yourself, become better than you thought, grow up, and have fun. All of these can be done simultaneously if you plan and go and do. Promise!

Good luck this year! Make this the best year ever!