Written by Amelia M.

2025 has arrived! Time for a rebrand…

After 2 splendid weeks of holiday celebrations, well-rested days and the welcoming of the year 2025, Med High School has reopened for its second semester. Believe me, I thought it was the end of the academic year too. The good thing is that we are halfway done! In order to end the year with relief and positivity, I have provided a variety of effective ways to handle the rest of the school year. It’s easier than you think!

#1: Organisation is key

Not knowing your assignments, tests, and school events is sooooo 2024 and we are leaving that behind. As the second semester is even more packed with events, it will be difficult for people to stay on track. Therefore, organising your calendar is the first step to improve your punctuality. The same applies with your assignments; if you have too much work to do and the deadline is approaching, break down your assignments and complete them accordingly. For those attending outdoor activities after school, such as sports, dance classes etc. the same technique could be applied. During your free hours, prioritise your assignments. Leaving tasks last minute will create further problems, therefore having an organised school routine will create healthy habits, such as discipline and productivity. 

#2: Set your boundaries/aims straight

The new year is always known for its resolutions, and the same could be applied for school, where you can craft an aim for the end of the school year to stick to it. Whether it’s having good grades, socialising, setting boundaries with people that have misunderstood you or performing well in your classes, setting priorities will not only boost your self-esteem, it will help you grow as a person. This will make school easier to cope with as sticking to your priorities will motivate you to complete your objectives in the most successful way possible. It will also determine your future habits. 

#3: Stressed? Take a breather

A lot of people tend to stress and exhaust themselves from returning to school, especially those who have just finished their external exams (guilty). Guess what? Simply taking a walk for 10-15 minutes around your neighbourhood to reconnect with nature or to relax can improve focus and can improve your willingness to handle school in the most responsive way possible. Other breathers include yoga and pilates, which releases the negativity from your mind and will improve your mental health. These non-academic factors can truly help you to increase awareness in school, become more calm and handle school with ease.

#4: Positivity is key. Take a chill pill

The reason why it’s hard for us to cope with school is because we tend to behave negatively. This includes constant complainings about assignments, spreading unnecessary gossip, judging others and certain mistreatment towards peers or even teachers. This will affect the way you approach things, such as school, and obviously if you act pessimistic 24/7, school will not be like a cloud with sunshine and rainbows for you. Changing your mindset into a more positive and unworried aspect will diminish your negative thoughts and it will allow you to approach things with flexibility. Doing your assignments on time will be a piece of cake if you view things with purpose. Don’t waste your time in having a fixed mindset, use that time to develop a growth mindset. Your life will change completely, that is if you choose to grow out of old habits and enter new ones, even though it might be difficult and scary.

I hope these tips will help you pursue a productive and fleeting second semester at Med High! As these tips are based on experience, I am positive that coping with school through these habits will boost your self-confidence and determination.