LIFE

The end of summer can be bittersweet—you get to play "august" on repeat, snag some cute new back-to-school stationery and feel the beginnings of a refreshing autumn chill...but you also have to finally get started on that pile of schoolwork you've been avoiding the past couple months.

DW—we're no strangers to procrastination, either, and we totally get that it can be difficult to gather the motivation to complete schoolwork when you're on vacay time. So we've compiled some Rory Gilmore-esque tips that will have you ready to complete your homework in no time (and be able to enjoy your last few weeks of summer!).

Do a little bit each day

@clarasdesktop

OK, when you look at those five books for AP English Lit *and* an eight-page math packet all together, it can be pretty daunting to dive in. But when you split up the work into smaller pieces? It's a lot more doable.

Make a plan to split up your work so that you're completing a fraction of it each day, rather than cramming it all into the last weekend before classes begin. This can mean getting through three chapters and ten math problems a day, or maybe one book and two math pages a week. Reading just one chapter each morning during breakfast will make a huge dent in your to-do list before you know it!

Feel free to make adjustments to your plan as needed. If you have any end-of-summer vacays coming up, modify your schedule so that you're doing a little more schoolwork on the days leading up to it—this will leave you with plenty of time to relax without worrying about the algebraic equations waiting for you at home.

Hold yourself accountable

Without grades, weekly deadlines and teachers looking over your shoulder, it can be difficult to stay on track and make yourself do the work. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to responsibly manage your schoolwork...especially with a little help from your family and friends!

One way to hold yourself accountable is by making your own due dates and asking your parents to check in on those days. They don't have to actually go over your work, but knowing that they're going to ask about your progress each week will help you stay on top of your assignments.

It can also be super fun and helpful to make plans to meet with your friends once a week to go over schoolwork. (Think of it like a summer reading book club!) You can spend a few minutes catching up with each other, and then start discussing The Great Gatsby and trigonometric functions. Not only will you have a chance to bring up anything you're confused about, but you'll also feel more motivated to get your work done in a timely manner so you're prepared to actively partake in the discussions.

Reward yourself

@momonatamada

One of the downsides to summer schoolwork is that there are often no rewards that come with it—sure, you might get an A on a book analysis essay down the line, but being rewarded sooner for your efforts might just be the key to keeping up your motivation.

You can use smaller rewards as you complete your work: an episode of your fave sitcom for each chapter you read, a book of your own choosing after finishing a school-required one or a candy bar for every three math pages you complete. And you can use bigger rewards as motivation to complete your schoolwork goals in their entirety before classes begin. (An epic slumber party with your besties—complete with a viewing of Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, ofc—is the perfect way to celebrate the end of summer and all your hard work!)

Follow us on Insta @girlslifemag for more tips!

Check out these posts for more back-to-school advice:
📕Your guide to romanticizing school (even when it feels overwhelming)
📗How to prepare during your last week before school
📘Add these 5 things to your back-to-school bucket list

Top image: @studychaii
Slider image: @clarasdesktop
GIFs via Giphy

by Maggie Salter | 7/31/2024