As we move past the halfway point of Term 1, students may begin to feel an increase in the amount of assessments and home learning they are receiving. It is inevitable that students will experience times throughout the school year that are busier than others. There are some simple ways in which students can be organised with their school work and due dates, avoiding increased feelings of stress or anxiety.

• Plan in advance: Utilise the personalised student assessment calendars that are available on Siena Central. These enable students to see clearly the work that is upcoming.
• Stay productive outside of class: When possible, utilise the Learning Centre as a space to work on assignments and home learning before and after school. There are always quiet spaces available at lunchtime for students wishing to complete schoolwork.
• Set up a study spot at home: Find a space in your home that is conducive to studying. It should be a quiet area, away from distractions (including your phone).
• Invest in a study buddy: Finding a friend to work with on home learning can be beneficial and can improve motivation for learning. Be sure to keep one another accountable for outcomes.
  
• Relax: It is vital, at all year levels, to give your brain a break. There is plenty of academic research that concludes most people cease to maintain their levels of productivity after 50-90 minutes of continuous work. Spend time with friends, being active and outside to help you rejuvenate.
  

Year 7 students in particular may begin to feel a little overwhelmed by home learning and assessment tasks. In Skills for Learning, students have been having conversations about how to stay on top of home learning, what their study space at home looks like and the ways in which individuals reward themselves for hard work. This week students made timetables to show their after school commitments so they could physically see where they had time available to complete school work:

“Using my own after school timetable helps my learning because I’m not stressing in class about all of the things I have to do throughout my week. I check it each night to help me feel ready for the morning…this makes me feel excited to go to school. Being organised like this helps me get to sleep at night, which means the next day I feel present and focused in my classes.”
Sophie Grey