12 Days of Time Management: Create a Routine
Time and money are a lot alike. After all, both can be spent, invested, and even squandered. But while you can always earn more money, you can never earn more time. Spend wisely using our 12 Days of Time Management for Teens: Create a Routine Who knew that circadian rhythms were so powerful? Most people understand how our natural rhythms control our sleep cycles, determining not just when we awaken each day but also when we feel most alert and productive. But circadian rhythms also exert influence on our biological functions, behavior, and even mood. Unfortunately for teens, the change in circadian rhythms triggered by puberty knocks them out of sync with most high schools: school starts really early but teens want to stay up really late. See the problem? If you’re committed to making the most of your time, you must create a routine and stick to it.…
Chronotypes
Summer is well and truly here, and that means that teenagers around the country are finally catching up on sleep. It’s no secret that the typical high school schedule is not kind to teens’ natural circadian rhythm, or the internal “clock” that determines when you feel awake and when it’s time to sleep. Adolescence is a time for intensive growing and thinking, and that requires plenty of rest—about 10 hours a night is considered ideal for high schoolers, but between class, extracurriculars, homework and a social life, that’s probably not happening for most of them. The good news is, you can tweak even a super busy schedule so it works with the natural rhythm of your cognitive functioning. Dr. Michael Breus, a clinical psychologist and sleep specialist from California, coined the term “chronotype” to describe the particular rhythms of sleeping, waking, working and playing that people fall into. Most people…
The Link Between Test Anxiety and Poor Sleep
We’ve long promoted the necessity of sleep for teens and analyzed the causes and remedies for test anxiety. Yet, the recent research uncovering a connection between the two still came as a surprise. Researchers from the University of Kansas wanted a better understanding of the relationship between sleep, anxiety, and test performance, particularly how their mutual interactions unfold over time: “(Nancy) Hamilton and graduate student co-authors Ronald Freche and Ian Carroll and undergraduates Yichi Zhang and Gabriella Zeller surveyed the sleep quality, anxiety levels and test scores for 167 students enrolled in a statistics class at KU. Participants completed an electronic battery of measures and filled out Sleep Mood Study Diaries during the mornings in the days before a statistics exam. Instructors confirmed exam scores. “The study showed ‘sleep and anxiety feed one another’ and can hurt academic performance predictably.” Was reported test anxiety a valid predictor of academic underperformance?…
Take a Break to Build on What You Know
“You can only climb as hard as you rest.” Jared Leto shared that kernel of rock climbing wisdom to explain his prodigious productivity. Even a moment’s thought assures us that this concept makes perfect sense. Now consider the average high school student, so buried under so many academic, extracurricular, and social commitments that he can’t even get a good night’s sleep. This avalanche of activities might seem like the only path to success, but overwork all too often impedes real achievement. Not only do people, particularly teens, require lots of sleep for optimal performance, but even breaks make a difference. Margaret L. Schlichting and Alison R. Preston of The University of Texas at Austin found that reflection boosts learning. Their research subjects who used time between learning tasks to reflect on what they had learned previously scored better on tests pertaining to what they learned later, especially where small threads…
Helping Your Teen Get More Sleep
Does anyone get enough sleep anymore? Maybe you do, but the teens in your life almost certainly do not. What makes the prospect of sleepy high schoolers yawning and grumbling their way through life? Kids not getting enough sleep are in no position to learn effectively, make good decisions, or manage their famously turbulent emotions. They certainly don’t have the ability to earn their best grades or test scores. Clearly, teen success depends, in part, on better sleep hygiene. As in all teen hygiene-related matters, adult support and supervision may be required. Simply put, don’t just tell the high schoolers in your life to get enough sleep. Help them. Start by implementing–and enforcing–the routine for optimal sleep. The 10-3-2-1-0 formula establishes an easy model for superior sleep hygiene: 10 hours before bed – No more caffeine 3 hours before bed – No more food 2 hours before bed – No…
5 Proven Methods to Enhance Learning
Successfully preparing for the SAT or ACT, or just about any test for that matter, requires integrating a wide variety of information. Not only do you have to master concepts in multiple disciplines—from fractional algebra to the correct use of punctuation—your best score will come when you can match these concepts with an array of test-taking techniques. Over the years, test prep professionals have compiled every tip, trick, equation, fact, and technique you need to get the best score possible—but remembering them is a whole ‘nother ball-game. Raise your academic game with these five proven methods for enhancing learning, maximizing retention, and integrating skills: 1. Take Notes by Hand In class or a tutoring session, you might feel like you understand everything coming out of your teacher’s mouth. But the fact is, no matter how much sense a technique might make in the moment, your ability to apply what…