These past few weeks have been difficult, as we at Passaic Preparatory Academy have been challenged by unfortunate circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has officially announced the end of in-person learning at school, meaning that we will continue to learn from our homes the rest of the school year. 

Balancing your school and family work is tough when you have plenty going on around you at home. If you’re looking for help as to how to help achieve that balance, then read on!

FOCUS ON ONE ASSIGNMENT AT A TIME
Working on multiple assignments at the same time could overwhelm you. Focus just on one to avoid that feeling. You will be able to complete it faster, as it will have all of your attention.

Multitasking is not your friend in the current circumstances. It is difficult, reduces your efficiency and makes it tough to organize your thoughts on an assignment.

Don’t believe me? Check out this article!

BREAK UP ASSIGNMENTS

Before you go all-in on an assignment, break it up into chunks. By breaking it up, it will make it seem like the assignment is not lengthy. You will no longer feel overwhelmed by the due date, giving you time to manage your duties at home within the requirements of school.

TAKE BREAKS

Taking short breaks will help you de-stress yourself. You do not want to sit and work for long periods of time without any breaks. If you do, you will lose focus on what you want to accomplish.

ELIMINATE DISTRACTIONS
If you consider your family members a distraction, well, you cannot eliminate them. However, devices like phones and TVs should not be used. To focus on an assignment, eliminate these things as they will tempt you into losing focus as they make you take MORE time in doing what’s important.

WORK ON THE MOST IMPORTANT ASSIGNMENTS FIRST

Assignments that will take longer should be done earlier. Why focus more of your time on assignments that can easily be completed? Organize your time wisely by dedicating the appropriate time to each. 

Getting the hardest work done first allows for smooth sailing later.

MAKE/KEEP AN AGENDA

By keeping an agenda, or schedule, you will better know how to organize your time with the assignments you are given. The assignments with the closest due date should be done first. Don’t forget the district policy, for every late assignment you turn in, you lose 10 points!

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
Your health comes first. There is only one you in the world. If you are dealing with a lot on your plate, let your teachers know. If you are struggling to meet an assignment’s due date, explain it to them. They will understand.

Remember the common saying, “We all have the same amount of time each and every single day. What we do with that time is entirely up to us.”

Feeling like you need more help beyond this? Reach out to your teacher or your counselors. You can find their emails in Google Classroom.